From the quiet corners of West Virginia, where the hills echo with the sounds of tradition, emerges Kurt Shultis. He’s the kind of guy you’d pass on the street, likely thinking he was on his way to his day job of working in IT, engineering or running a business, not to go shred an alt-rock riff with a pop sensibility.

Yet, beneath that unassuming exterior lies a musical force, a songwriter channeling the raw energy of a genre that seems worlds away from his West Virginia roots, yet right at home in his hands. Shultis, a sonic architect in a button down, is carving out a space for himself, proving that alt-rock grit can bloom in the most unexpected places. Forget what you think you know about West Virginia, because Kurt Shultis is another artist rewriting the soundtrack.

We sat down to talk with Kurt about what makes him tick and how he approaches his music.

BB: Tell our readers about where you’re from and something it’s known for.

I am from a small town in Roane County called Spencer, WV – the home of the Black Walnut Festival.  I was born and raised here, and lived in Spencer almost all my life.

BB: Your most recent release was 2024’s “Burn The Boats.” There is a 90s alt rock feel to this track and a very sweet groove on the guitar. Tell us a little bit about that song and how it came to be. 

Firstly, thanks for the love on the guitar groove, it actually came to me as I was working out at the gym one day walking on the track.  I remember getting home that same evening remembering my walking cadence and translating to guitar.  Guitarists out there probably notice the chord voicings I chose are all diminished/suspended chords.  Those were all conscious choices for me.  “Burn the Boats” is about the revolutionary spirit inside all of us, and the deeper feeling inside that we are born for more, but will require great sacrifice to achieve.  By any measure, I can call myself “successful” in life as a man in his late 20’s, but it’s like the chorus says “I have never been higher, so then why don’t I see things any clearer?”  I am searching for meaning and purpose in music, and although I’ve done it my whole life, I’ve never taken it more seriously than I do right now.  In Viking myth, they actually burned the longships they arrived on to signify no retreat, and that’s that attitude I deliver as a musician, and in that song’s message in particular.

BB: How has your music progressed since your first release in 2016?

My 2016 release with my talented sister Kami Shultis was merely my first foray into recording and songwriting, and in those initial stumbles I have progressed into much more professional sounding music.  I have spent the last 10 years teaching myself production, arrangement, mixing, mastering, and more to deliver the highest quality results possible.  In fact I would consider my debut original album “The Great Divide” my first really good project.  Being self-made as an artist is one of my biggest prides, and I am happy to consistently improve the quality of my work overtime.

BB: What was the writing and recording process like for the music you’ve put out so far?

Writing is always different for me.  Sometimes it hits me like inspiration, and other times I have to literally force myself to sit down and write a song.  But when I write something I can’t get out of my OWN head that’s when I know it’s time to record.  Recording to me looks like heading to the home studio aka converted spare bedroom, micing everything up and creating a decent scratch track, then going back and overdubbing all the “real” takes.  I’m a vocal perfectionist and I do some pretty serious comp takes with harmonies, and also do harmony guitar solos from time to time, as well as program professional drums from samples and triggers.  Then I mix, master, and release.  ALL on my own.

BB: What can people expect from a Kurt Shultis performance?

Above all, that you’ll feel something.  Lately I’m not afraid to say things with my music.  Hard to hear things – hard to swallow things.  Art transcends us, and lets me say something.  Whether you’re a seasoned rock fan and you want to feel like you’re in the pocket right there with me, or you hear one of my slower songs and cry, that’s literally what I live for.

BB: Who are some West Virginia artists you’re listening to? 

BB: What else are you listening to currently? 

Right now all the rage in my playlist is this band “stop.drop.rewind”.  Without spoiling it for the readers, those guys are insanely good and write some bangers.

BB: What inspired you or took you down the path of music and who are some of your influences?

Vince Metz. He was my friend, teacher, and mentor in music.  Unfortunately he is no longer around, but losing him flipped a switch in my brain that made me think “what am I doing with my life if I’m not even trying to make something of myself in music?”  I owe everything to Vince.  In addition to that, my very supportive mother: Laurie Shultis who took me to all those practices and shows as a teen, bought me my first electric guitar, and need I say more?  Mom’s are incredible.

BB: How has being from/living in West Virginia influenced your music?

We as a state have a reputation for being fighters, rebels, etc.  That is the very spirit of rock.  I myself have a very unique perspective on the American Revolution.  Looking at both our fight for freedom, and WV’s path to statehood, I have slowly adopted my own ethos which is actually a titled song in my coming EP. WV influenced me to believe one thing above all else:  “Live Free, or Die”

BB: We know they are all your babies, but what is one song you want people to listen to of yours if they were to say, “Hey what do you sound like?”

Be sure to check out Kurt Shultis’ new EP when it releases, which you will be able to find out about here at Born & Bred. Follow Kurt on his Facebook and Instagram. And listen to “Burn The Boats” below.

Photos provided by artist.