Concert Review: Stephen Kellogg @ Caffe Lena, 12/28/2023

American singer and songwriter Stephen Kellogg made his first appearance at the historic listening room Caffe Lena on Thursday night, bringing with him his beloved songs about family life that make this troubadour unique to the music industry. Kellogg is launching his new stand up comedy routine, “Sit Down and Stand Up,” a series of stories slipped between sets of music that affirm his belief that relationships are the center of a life worth living.

Forty-seven year old Kellogg has been “at this awhile,” he grinned as he opened his set after a brief film highlighting his career. While unusual for Caffe Lena, the highlights introduced newbies to Kellogg as both the talented songwriter and optimistic philosopher who’s graced the American songwriting landscape over more than two decades. He’s performed with O.A.R., Counting Crows, performed for our troops, and while he joked he isn’t as successful as his father-in-law had hoped, he’s created over 17 albums and has legitimately provided for his family through his art.

Kellogg’s opening words, quoting Leonard Cohen’s “If you don’t become the ocean, you’ll be seasick every day,” set the tone for an offering of love and comfort to the sold out house. His song “Ocean” followed, echoing the sentiments of staying flexible while maintaining integrity to the message.

The songs that flowed after, “Satisfied Man,” and then the four songs about his girls, “Sweet Sophia” to “Oh Adeline,” then “Noelle Noelle,” followed by “Greta Girl” showed a rare glimpse of the realities of being a family man. Rewarding, but not always satisfying, commitment to his family clearly is Kelllogg’s mission in life. “It Goes Fast” brought tears up for many as he processed how parenting is a struggle to let go of children as they need to launch.  The new song, “Harbor,” was a lovely reminder that even as children leave, they need a solid place to return to as well.

Kellogg sandwiched a short comedy routine, or “stories, if you prefer,” he explained, between his two sets of original music. He admitted he was trying something new, attempting to grow, and appeared authentically anxious about the set.  It didn’t help matters that an audience member was chatting loudly nearby, disrupting his focus. As anxiety often does, it created an irritability and disrupted Kellogg’s spirit during the comedy riffs. And while the stories about the music industry were fun and brought laughs, overall the comedy bits were not as joyful as the messages shared in his music.

When Kellogg returned to his guitar with “It’s Only That I Miss You,” he was again on solid ground, recalling his grandfather and connection to those who passed before us. “To the Ones that Need it Most” crescendoed to “Objects in the Mirror,” a fitting exploration of the meaning of life through human connection. Kellogg is seeking his legacy and has found it in his family.

Kellogg brought three of his girls out for his encore, “See you Later, See you Soon,” before making a heart with his hands and smiling to the crowd. 

Kellogg is real. He shares himself in a way that goes beyond what is expected, and he’s helped to foster the culture of Americana musicians who value honesty in connecting with audiences rather than showmanship. If you are seeking a map home to yourself, Kellogg’s written your soundtrack. Give him a listen – and you’ll likely find yourself better for it.