Fulton Calvery Shares His Storied History Amidst Release of Single “Kissable”

Genre-bending artist Fulton Calvery is a rising force in the music scene, proven by his latest release “Kissable,” a commercially pop track with playful swagger and a modern rock edge. This hook-driven anthem dances between flirtation and rock n’ roll, a magnetic ode to that one person who’s simply impossible to resist.

Driven by sultry vocals, gritty guitar lines, and tongue-in-cheek charm, the track captures the electric energy of falling hard and fast. With a sound that echoes the pop brilliance of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, laced with a subtle Mick Jagger-style edge, Calvery brings a fresh, cinematic flair to the pop landscape. As the chorus rings out with the lyrics, “Why you got to be so kissable? Makes me lose all my principles,” Calvery’s strength as a singer-songwriter amidst his confident genre-blending musical style is on full display.

Known as a rock artist from Wichita, Kansas, Calvery’s music is raw, honest, and built around guitar-heavy hooks, powerful lyrics, and a style that’s all his own… He’s known for bringing emotion and attitude together in a way that’s both relatable and unforgettable. Maybe that’s because music has always been part of his DNA. He grew up just a block and a half from a nightclub where local bands played regularly, and he and his younger brother would eagerly help the musicians set up and tear down, often scoring impromptu lessons and advice from the pros.

At 14, he was winning talent shows, and by 16, he was playing professionally in bands. He’d bring his gig clothes to school, then hop on the band bus right out front—sometimes skipping the last class or two to hit the road. This storied history led to Calvery being inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame as a member of the hard rock band Submytion, a group known for its energy, musicianship, and deep roots in the Midwest rock scene.

More than just a musician, Calvery is a creative storyteller. Whether through lyrics, performance, or animated music videos, he pulls people into his world with emotion, humour, and grit. He’s not just making songs, he’s building experiences, one hook, one lyric, and one visual at a time.

We are honoured to sit down with Fulton Calvery and hear his version of the story. Everything from what inspires him, how he treats his creative process, insight into the new song, and what he’s looking forward to next.

How would you describe your own music?

Fulton Calvery: “Always evolving. I started out as a guitar player, so a lot of my songs are built around the guitar. Lately, I’ve been branching out, incorporating modern production techniques, sampled sounds, effects, and altered audio that often ends up sounding nothing like the original source. There are so many tools available now that let you shape sound into anything, from turning your voice into an instrument to creating entirely new textures. At the core, I just love a good song, and that can be anything from Barbra Streisand to death metal.”

How would you describe your creative process?

“I build songs in sections and record as I write. Some people write a song first and then head to the studio. For me, the studio *is* the instrument. I won’t move on to the next section until the part I’m working on is fully fleshed out, arranged, and mostly mixed. If I’m writing a verse, I have no clue what the chorus will be until the verse feels complete. Once I’ve nailed the verse, I start experimenting with chorus ideas until something clicks. Then I fully produce that section before moving on.

“After all the parts are laid down, I go back and refine, sometimes completely rewriting sections if they don’t grab me like they should. I want every part to stand on its own, while still flowing with the rest.”

Who are your biggest influences?

“The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Kansas. What ties them together for me is that they all wrote and performed their own music. That really inspired me. Kansas, in particular, had a big impact. Before they were famous, they played at a bar just two blocks from where I grew up. I helped them set up a few times and bombarded them with questions. They were one of the only bar bands playing original music, and while they drew smaller crowds at first, they were the only band from our area that made it big. Watching them in those early days left a lasting impression.

“CCR, I bought my first guitar because of John Fogerty. His riffs were catchy and simple enough to make me believe I could do it too. That was the summer between sixth and seventh grade.

“The Beatles. I was in first grade, but my older sister was in the throes of Beatlemania. My little brother and I made cardboard guitars and drums and put on concerts on our front porch. That’s when the dream struck—like lightning.”

Fulton Calvery “Kissable” single artwork

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

“Most of my experience has been in bar bands; writing originals, doing a few covers, and occasionally opening for semi-famous acts. So I don’t claim to know the inner workings of the big leagues. But I do know that streaming has made it much harder for non-superstar artists to earn a living. We absolutely need to fix how musicians are paid for streams. A third of a cent per play just isn’t sustainable. Back in the jukebox days, it cost 10 cents to play a song, and that was decades ago. I think artists today should earn at least 10 cents per stream. That’s the change I’d push for.”

What do you like most about playing music?

“Music is both an escape from reality and a way to better understand it. When I’m writing or playing, I step into a different world—no clock, no stress, just me and the music. I don’t play live as often anymore, but when I do and everything’s clicking, it feels like the world stops. It’s like a force field goes up, shielding me from all the bad stuff. Time slows down, and I get to live in that moment doing what I love.”

What are some fun facts about you that people might not expect?

“I was born without a sense of smell. I can’t smell anything, good or bad. And I can taste, but mostly sweet and salty. I figured it out in kindergarten when the teacher brought in items for us to smell. Other kids would say, ‘Yum!’ or ‘Gross!’ I didn’t smell anything, so I just repeated what the kid before me said. Later at recess, I asked my best friend if he could really smell all that stuff. He said ‘yes,’ and I realized everyone wasn’t faking like I was. I told my mom, and the doctor confirmed it—no smell, and nothing they could do about it. So yeah, I’ve never smelled a flower, my kids, or a fart (silver lining?).”

Do you have anything you’d like to tell fans reading this?

“Thank you for listening to my music. Your comments on social media are what keep me going. It’s not the one-third of a penny I get from streaming. Your encouragement means everything. If you know someone who might like my music, please share it with them. That’s the best way to help it spread. And if you’re feeling bold, call or message your favourite radio station and ask them to play one of my songs. Right now, I’d suggest ‘Kissable.’”

Single artwork for “Kissable” by Fulton Calvery

What’s the story behind your new single “Kissable?”

“I wrote the lyrics for ‘Kissable’ as an assignment in an online songwriting class through Berklee College of Music. I came up with the line, ‘Damn girl, you’re so kissable,’ and thought it sounded perfect for a pop track. And I got an A on the assignment and filed the lyrics away with a bunch of other ideas. It was a twist for me—normally, I write the music first. This time, the lyrics came first, and it completely changed my approach.”

What’s next for you?

“I see myself as a lifelong learner, so I’m always looking to grow as a musician and songwriter. Right now, I’m aiming to release a new song each month while building my fanbase. You can find me on all streaming platforms. Hopefully, there’s something there that speaks to you. And sometime soon, I’d love to release something on vinyl. That would be a dream come true.”