Rocksteady TNT - Ska, rocksteady and reggae musician Kelly Marshall with many of her instruments

About - Rocksteady TNT

Rocksteady TNT is the creative project of Glasgow-based musician Kelly Marshall, blending ska, rocksteady, and reggae with threads of Eastern European folk, funk, soul, jazz, punk, hip-hop, and '80s influences. Originally from the U.S., she has spent decades moving through diverse music scenes, reimagining classic styles while keeping rhythm, melody, and heart at the core.

A multi-instrumentalist on bass, guitar, and keys, she often experiments with mandolin, harmonica, violin, accordion, bouzouki, and tambura, weaving layered textures and occasional vocals into each track. Since launching Rocksteady TNT in 1999, the project has been a space for fusing tradition with invention.

A bit about her recording process

Kelly writes, records, and arranges all Rocksteady TNT music at home, often just after dinner - with Star Trek Enterprise playing in the background. Instrumentals typically come together in hours, while lyrics take longer—shaped by a perfectionist's ear for rhyme and meter. Titles often carry a playful twist, sometimes inspired by whatever's on the dinner table.

Each track is built in Logic Pro, layer by layer: drum loops at the foundation, bass and guitar grooves next, then keys and other instruments fleshing out the sound. Drawing on years of ska/reggae and Eastern European folk bands—as well as forays into rock and soul—Kelly uses Rocksteady TNT to honor musical roots while exploring new directions.

Musical Influences

Here are some of the artists and bands that have shaped Kelly's sound and continue to inspire her music:

Kelly's Instrumentophile Collection

She has a deep love for instruments but keeps her obsession in check by hunting down inexpensive or secondhand gear. Some of the most cherished pieces in the Rocksteady TNT arsenal were picked up for next to nothing—or even free.