Paul Kelly is an Australian singer-songwriter from Adelaide, born in 1955 and based in Melbourne. He is widely regarded as an important figure in Australian music and records under his own name as well as in several groups, including Paul Kelly and the Messengers, Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, and Paul Kelly and the Stormwater Boys. Other associated projects include Paul Kelly and The Dots, Professor Ratbaggy, Stardust Five and High Rise Bombers.

Style and career

Kelly’s work covers a broad range of styles, including folk, rock, country, bluegrass and studio-oriented dub reggae. His core writing is closely associated with folk, rock and singer-songwriter traditions, with an acoustic rock and rock sound also part of his recorded output. His lyrics are noted for their direct, laconic voice and for dealing with Australian experience and history in a way that is widely recognised within Australian popular music.

Recordings and releases

He releases music on GawdAggie and EMI Music Australia. Across his career he works both as a solo artist and through band identities, allowing him to move between stripped-back songwriting and more arranged group settings.