Kayleigh Powell
A songwriter for the end of the world
Welcome,Wanderer
Rest your weary head, and curl up for a tale
Found at the end of the earth, beckoning you in to the huddled circle warming their hands around a trashcan bonfire, Kayleigh is a songwriter for the apocalypse. Songs that resonate with the urgency of our times paired with the melodic memory of a distant past. Her lyricism is a reflection of a world on fire, shining a light into darkness and dismantling stale systems and stagnant song structure.
Her commanding voice channels feminine rage, dark theatricality, classically trained precision, and poetic storytelling. She was born in the crucible of sacred hymns, raised on the creaking boards of the stage, and now finds her way here, drawn to the bacchanalian beauty and cathartic chaos of the underground.
Origin Story
How did our heroine become the scene-stealing, rock-screaming, heart-healing maverick we all know and love today? She was pulled on the stage at a panto as a child, and there was no looking back.
After attending the Florida State University's School of Theatre, Kayleigh moved to New York City to become a huge star. Instead, through the gauntlet of audition misery and regional theatre, she just got weirder. She found herself sailing the high seas, singing for her supper with companies like Royal Caribbean and MSC.
Our heroine has now been fully nomadic since 2018, when she began funneling her rage, relish, and repentance into her ukulele in earnest. She writes songs about the end times with reckless abandon, as well as folk songs about legends she may have made up herself. She can be found playing in venues around Dorset, on cruise ship stages, and maybe in a festival field near you.
What's Next?
At long last, camaraderie and collaboration has been sought and found. The band is being birthed as we speak, with rehearsals progressing apace. Kayleigh is joined by the yearnful melodies of Shaun Gary Palmer on lead guitar, the driving punk sensibilities of Tom Jackson on bass, and the rhythmic heartbeat of Matt Miles on percussion. Together they are Kayleigh & the Tryhards
AND! Your cries and prayers have been answered- no longer are videos of live performances on Youtube sufficient. A proper recording is due. The wheels are slowly but surely turning in this direction, with the help of some of the most talented people about. Thank you for your patience- it will be rewarded in abundance.
Stage, Screen, & Ship
Kayleigh has been lucky enough to enjoy working professionally on the stage and screen since 2012. Her experience ranges enormously, including regional theatre (most notably the Williamstown Theatre Festival), cruise ship production shows, Off-Broadway credits, commercials, music videos, and feature films. Please view her resume for details.
.png)
.jpg)
"...one of those actors who will rise to any occasion, can pivot on a dime and do it with grace, humor, and intelligence"
Randy Graff,
Tony Award Winner
"Wow! Great!"
Eric Bogosian,
Obie Award Winner, Pulitzer Prize Finalist
Kayleigh is honored to be a two-time winner of the Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Award for Best of Entertainment! (2019, 2017)
Cruiser's Choice Award, Cruise Critc
Upcoming Events
March
19
"Call Me, Mother Nature"
R&D @ MAST Mayflower Studios
March
29
Kayleigh & The Tryhards @ The Anvil
(w/ Dead Horse Bay & Dixie Dix)
May
10
Kayleigh & The Tryhards @ HELCH
with Millie Watson Trio and Haylo
May
13
Kayleigh @ Chaplin's
(Originals and Covers)
May
18
Kayleigh & The Tryhards
@ Private Event
May