Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

One Track Mind features a Washtenaw County-associated artist or band discussing a single song.

Standout Track: “Our Eyes” from Kelsey., aka Kelsey Detering, an Ann Arbor singer-songwriter, bassist, and pianist. Her latest single examines a new relationship between two people and their shared sense of connection, while also exploring themes of authenticity and validation. “That’s really the core of it, knowing that someone sees you almost chillingly well, that they understand the core of you, and in this case, your music,” wrote Kelsey. in an email interview.

“It’s almost too good to be true, just the connection itself. And what this song is really about is wanting to be the person they see, that they love and believe in. And also the reverse, which is how you see deep inside of them, and how all that is conveyed in just one look. You feel like you’ve truly known this person your entire life.”

Musical Motivation: “Our Eyes” takes inspiration from several genres, including pop rock, indie rock, and new wave, yet Kelsey. prefers to call her music “disco rock” to encapsulate everything. “When I write, I let the song lead me and whatever’s in my head naturally makes it into the music,” she wrote. “So since I listen to a variety of genres, that’s what comes out.”

While Kelsey. usually writes her basslines in the studio, she composed the song’s melodic bassline at home while tinkering with her Rio Dream bass. “The chords were already written, so I just found a cool groove in the pocket and added some movement to it,” she wrote. “I actually ended up changing a key chord as I liked how the bass note sat under the melody better. Then, in the studio, we tracked the rhythm section—bass and drums—together so we could build guitars and synth around that.”

Debut Record: Kelsey. has released several singles ahead of her debut album, which will come out later this year and feature 16 songs. She co-produced it with Eric Wojahn at Solid Sound Recording Company in Ann Arbor.

“I’ve always loved arranging music,” wrote Kelsey., who will perform some of those songs during a May 27 show at The Blind Pig. “I’ve been doing it since I was a young teenager, so that’s what I really love about producing. Deciding which parts will be played where, shaping them, and choosing the best takes. … So what I love is when I get to sit on the couch, listen, and really put my producer hat on.”