Auckland, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Jude Kelly is equipped with the confidence of an artist who has honed her craft. She chronicles her experiences of love, loss, growth, accomplishment and resilience in her music. Kelly was raised by two pastors as the youngest of 5 children, before moving out of home at 15 and putting herself through university. From a young age, she turned to songwriting as an outlet to process questions of identity and selfhood. Now at 25, her signature narrative-driven world-building reflects Jude’s fierce independence, coming to grips with the world on her own terms.

She only debuted in late 2024 with the single Bonnet Bunny. That song and follow-up singles Siren Song and Clarence appear on her debut EP The Seven Spirits Of Her, alongside 4 brand-new tracks. Each song uncovers a different character within herself, threaded together like chapters of a memoir. The EP’s sonic world branches out from her foundation in soulful pop, incorporating Americana and folk elements, brought to life with a distinct voice and authentic charm.

Her new single Married To Her Death sits somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and Florence & The Machine. Described by Kelly as ‘a song no one wants to relate to’, it details the angst of staying in a broken one-sided relationship and not knowing when to walk away.

Married To Her Death by Jude Kelly is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

Follow Jude Kelly on Instagram | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2025 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.