Kelly Catlin is a writer, author, illustrious garage-band singer, and mediocre guitarist who babies her black Strat. A music and culture writer (because it sounds more polished than “listens to Arctic Monkeys on repeat”), Kelly unpacks albums and the artists behind them, crafting stories that capture the energy, complexity, and humanity of the creative world. Her insights have been featured on Good Day Seattle, Eric Alper’s SiriusXM show, Goldmine Magazine, iHeartRadio, podcasts, and more. When she's not busy acquiring carpal tunnel from typing, she loves to create in a variety of mediums and is partial to candy for dinner.

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Kelly is best known for her debut memoir-biography hybrid, built from years of work with Kurt Cobain’s friends, fellow musicians, Nirvana’s collaborators, managers, recording engineers, and other industry insiders. Through new interviews and firsthand accounts, she offers a perspective that goes beyond the noise, speculation, and recycled narratives that dominate the internet, reframing one of music’s most misunderstood figures—and it's all for charity while removing the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health. 

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Known for her sharp, incisive voice and unapologetic approach, Kelly cuts through the noise to tell the stories that matter, connecting audiences with the people, movements, and moments shaping culture today. Her work spans music journalism, biography, and creative nonfiction, combining depth, nuance, and bold storytelling while supporting a variety of charity organizations. She also writes under a nom de plume, exploring different topics without the constraints of what people expect her to write.

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If you’ve made it past the professional stuff and want to know more about me—this time in the first person—my ideal Friday night is a good slice of pizza with a Burroughs or Burgess paperback. I like cars, hate pretension (unless it’s an overused em dash), and value honesty. I also like tattoos and abhor full-length pants.