Wild Child’s Kelsey Wilson on Motherhood and Her Austin Band’s Venture into Family Music

Austin musicians Kelsey Wilson (vocals, violin) and Alexander Beggins (vocals, ukulele), the duo who perform as Wild Child, are always evolving their sound as their lives shift. Fans and friends have seen the two-piece (and sometimes four-piece) band through extensive national tours, marriage proposals at shows, and now, parenthood: Sixteen years since forming, the Live Music Capital mainstays have released their first record for both big and little listeners: Wild Child for Kids.

The buoyant indie-rock album, out April 17, is loaded with Wild Child’s signature vocal harmonies, lush instrumentation, and whimsical surprises. If the tracks we’ve heard so far are any indication, this is a record that will be hard not to love, between the cheery, singalong “Feelings” to the tranquil, emotive “Lullaby.”

We caught up with new mom Kelsey to learn more about her wild musical journey, and what’s next!

Rockmommy: Hi Kelsey! I’m listening to your new album — it’s sweet, rootsy, and I really dig it! What made you decide to create this as a “kids” specific album? 

Kelsey Wilson: We have been making music for so long as Wild Child and really saw our audiences grow up with us over the years … seeing familiar faces that start out with big “X’s” on their hands to introducing us and our music to their partners as they get older… then having people get engaged at shows or use a Wild Child song for their first dance.

It’s honestly been such a beautiful journey and now that so many of our people have babies it seemed like the natural progression of things. Also most kids music doesn’t seem like it’s meant for the parents too.. and I wanted to make something that wouldn’t make them go insane either, hah. I didn’t even know I was going to be a mom when all of these songs started coming out. 

Rockmommy: The music scene in Austin is crazy busy and competitive. Take me back to 2010. What do you miss most when you think back to that origin period? How did you make it work and what do you wish you knew? 

Kelsey Wilson: I’m glad I knew absolutely nothing to be honest. I wouldn’t have done half as much if I knew any of the “rules”. We didn’t even have anyone to ask so we just tried everything and saw what stuck. I think a lot of what made it work was we genuinely had so much fun together that people just liked to see it .. we weren’t the best players or the craziest songwriters.. but we laughed through every set and absolutely loved what we were doing. Joy is contagious. I really just miss the accessibility .. going out any night of the week and discovering your new favorite band or playing house shows in people’s back yards. It’s hard in the beginning but you meet some incredible people and make such good friends when you are just starting out.

Rockmommy: Who are your inspirations as a musician? If you had to name two or three artists or genres as influences, who or what would you pick? 

Kelsey Wilson: For me personally that’s a hard question to answer.. and it depends on the project I’m working on. I don’t think you would even hear the music I listen to influencing what I’m writing to be honest. I love 90’s hip hop and r&B… but for the most part everything I listen to came out in the 70’s. Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin, Blossom Dearie, Al Green, Kate Bush. I would say the one genre that ties it all together is Soul. 

Rockmommy: What’s the response been from kids to performing some of your new songs? 

Kelsey Wilson: Amazing . We played our first show today and watching these kiddos dance and sing along with us is earthshatteringly cute. 

Rockmommy: You recently became a mom. Congratulations! Have you been singing these songs to your little one? 

Kelsey Wilson: The “Lullaby” on the record I don’t think I’ll ever be able to perform because since my son was born I can’t get through it without crying, haha. I didn’t listen to the record for a while because I was afraid we got it all wrong. I wrote most of the lyrics before I ever got pregnant … but when we had our first rehearsal I was so happy to connect completely with every one of the songs even more since becoming a mom. 

Rockmommy: It looks like you still have a lot of tour dates in the books! Have you had to scale back anything since becoming a parent (or since you knew you were expecting)? 

Kelsey Wilson: Yes and no. Being a musician doesn’t really line you up with maternity leave or anything like that so I really had to work until I absolutely couldn’t anymore and start doing things pretty quickly once the little guy got here … luckily I have an amazing community of people around me to help. I know they say it takes a village and it absolutely does. 

Rockmommy: What is your greatest hope for the next generation? Is there a message you hope to impart in your music?

Kelsey Wilson: It feels more important than ever that we feel connected to one another … with so many things trying to isolate, segregate and separate us out there – anything that gets us in a room today with a shared joyful experience is so necessary. Community matters SO much right now so if I can help bring people together and make them smile maybe it will impact the next generation and they will keep it going.