Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Butts-spirito
Hi Kelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2021 I did my first Interview with Voyage LA. At the time I had just begun my creative work as a freelance videographer.
I was shooting run and gun music videos for local artists in my hometown of Burlington Vermont. I was an ambitious 21 year old videographer with a much bigger goal in mind than just shooting videos. I had a chip on my shoulder. I was coming from a small state. I was coming off rough teenage years spent in rehab. But at 21 I had finally found my passion – sharing the human experience through creativity.
Voyage LA was the first publication that ever interviewed me on this journey, and as I reflect on the last time we spoke it is amazing to see the growth I experienced in such a short time. Since 2021 I have been proud to see the dreams I spoke about in my first Voyage interview come to life.
Shortly after the beginning of 2021 I got an internship at Roc Nation and worked on Made in America (music festival), then in 2022 interned for VFILES and Tier NYC. Those internships were pivotal building blocks for my career. Working for each of these companies allowed me to study and learn from people at the highest level in each of my passions: music, film, fashion and live events.
Last interview I said my goal was to have a production company and today I am the founder of my own production company called “Love, Kelly.”
I have been fortunate to direct a wide array of impactful creative projects at a high level across three different mediums: film, live events and clothing design. In 2023 I designed and directed my first fashion show for New York Fashion Week at VFILES. Shortly after my Fashion Week debut I released the clothing collection in store at the VFILES store on Mercer street. The release was a success and we sold out the entire first collection. In September I will be designing my second runway show for Love, Kelly Season II in collaboration with Converse.
Another goal I shared in my first Voyage Interview was to host live events. I am proud to share that in 2021 I started an annual indoor festival in Burlington Vermont where I grew up. Each year I bring emerging artists to perform in my home state. Last year we had special guests in attendance such as Lil Uzi Vert and many more notable artists.
On the management side of my career I guided two unknown artists to major label record deals.
On the film end of my business I have been fortunate to direct music videos for the band U2 and countless other artists such as Famous Dex, Kal Banx, Trippie Redd, Lil Tjay, North Ave Jax, Kenya Vaun and many more.
As I look forward look the next chapter of my career as a creative director I hope to be able to reflect on this interview today with the same accomplished feeling I have when I look back at my first Voyage interview in 2021.
My goal moving forward is to continue to have a positive impact on the community that follows my brand and to keep producing groundbreaking projects across all three of the mediums I am focused on. In 2025 I hope to host my first outdoor music festival, release my first feature length film that I am acting in, distribute “Love, Kelly” clothing worldwide, and become one of the most prominent music video directors in the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been filled with deep pain and loss and also great triumph. I got sober when I was seventeen years old. I spent several years in rehab and lost close friends to addiction. Although those experiences were incredibly challenging. My experiences with loss and isolation at a young age shaped who I am today. My battle with addiction has shaped a lot of my work and perspective on the human experience. This year I reached seven years of sobriety. My dedication to sobriety has been a constant challenge but has continued to be the most rewarding thing in my life. My journey as a creative has been a fight as well. Nothing has come easily. Each step forward has been a challenge but with each step forward I gain more confidence for the next chapter I embark on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Thank you so much! For those that are unfamiliar with my work I am the founder of a creative multimedia company called Love, Kelly. In regards to my actual projects I think it’s easiest if I break it down into three categories: video projects, events and clothing projects. On the video side I have directed videos for notable artists such as the band U2 and countless hip hop artists such as Lil Tjay, Trippie Redd, Famous Dex, Kal Banx, Yvng Chris, North Ave Jax, Kenya Vaun and many more. On the clothing side I have designed two runway shows for NYFW. My first runway was with VFILES and my second with Converse at the Converse Flagship Store. I have also released several lines of clothing online as well as in store in New York. On the event side I host an annual music festival in Vermont and put on lots of other concerts and parties in New York City.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think we are in a digital renaissance that is extremely exciting for those who are willing to adapt. We are living in a time where artists and creators have access to any audience with limited resources because of social media. My work has been a product of being on the cutting edge of internet marketing and community building alongside incredible artists and a generation of creatives. When I was getting sober at a young age, I didn’t have anyone in the industry to look up to that was doing dope work and also was living a sober life. Over the past seven years I have set out to become the person and example that I wish someone had been for me. I want my art and community to inspire people to be authentically themselves and feel supported to live a unique and fulfilling life even if it goes against the social norms of society.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lovekelly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslovekelly/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009178103679
- Twitter: https://x.com/_itslovekelly_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itslovekelly
