(Artist Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines   

Leilani Kilgore is a super talented blues-rock musician known for her fiery guitar skills and soulful vocals. She’s got this way of mixing gritty rock sounds with smooth, bluesy vibes, making her music really stand out. Leilani grew up on the West Coast in a house that was always full of music. Her parents loved all kinds of tunes—from Tom Waits to The Beach Boys to Stevie Ray Vaughan and that rubbed off on her. She first picked up the guitar because she wanted to be as cool as the rock stars her dad was always talking about.

After high school, Leilani got a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, which is a huge deal. She studied under some awesome teachers there, but after a couple of years, she felt like it was time to take her music to the real world. So, she packed her bags and moved to Nashville. She spent a few years playing gigs around town and even performed on cruise ships for two years, which really helped her learn how to connect with audiences and build up her stage presence.

Leilani’s music is all about big, powerful riffs and emotional vocals. She’s got this raw, electric energy in her playing that comes straight from her blues influences. If you’re a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Keith Richards, you’ll definitely hear echoes of them in her music. Her playing style is aggressive yet soulful, balancing classic blues techniques with modern rock energy. She first played Stratocaster guitars but later switched to Les Pauls because she liked the challenge—they’re heavier and harder to play, which pushes her to put even more feeling into her music.

Leilani dropped her first EP, The Early Days, back in 2017. It showed off her bluesy roots and set the stage for everything she’s done since. She’s also released some killer singles, like “XXX Moonshine,” “I’m Gonna Leave You,” and “Get Home.” In 2023, she put out “Take It For Granted,” which leaned even harder into her rock ‘n’ roll side with big, crunchy guitar riffs. She has released four singles in 2025 titled "Better Come Running," "Feeling Lucky," "Snake In The Tall Grass," and just released on May 30,2025, "High/Low." How exciting is that!!!

One of the coolest things about Leilani is how she owns the stage. She’s played at huge events like Summerfest and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, and she’s shared the spotlight with legends like Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, and Lita Ford. When she’s up there with her guitar, she’s an absolute powerhouse. She’s excited to expand her creativity, mixing different styles and not limiting herself to just one genre.

If you’re into gear, you’ll love Leilani’s setup. She plays a Fender Troublemaker Telecaster and a Les Paul Black Beauty, and she runs them through a Fender Tonemaster Twin amp. She’s also got a sweet pedalboard with stuff like the Xotic EP Boost, MXR Phase 90, and a custom wah pedal. Basically, she’s got everything she needs to create those epic blues-rock sounds. Kilgore dreams of performing at legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium, Royal Albert Hall, and Red Rocks. She’s constantly refining her sound, pushing herself to create fresh and exciting music that connects with fans.

Leilani Kilgore is a rising star in the blues-rock world. From her early days jamming at home to playing huge stages and sharing the spotlight with legends, she’s proven she’s here to stay. She’s keeping blues-rock alive while adding her own modern edge, making her one to watch as she continues growing in the industry. With each new song and performance, she keeps pushing the boundaries of what blues-rock can be—and we can’t wait to see where she goes next.

That will do it for this report on Leilani Kilgore. In closing, please just know, Soundwave Music Media will be here and I will always do my best to bring you the rock music report! Please consider supporting me and the crew by purchasing a Soundwave shirt or hat and support our sponsors! Until next time... Rock on friends!🤘

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