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

About - Rocksteady TNT

I'm Kelly Marshall, the musician behind Rocksteady TNT—a creative project where I blend the sounds that have shaped me: ska, rocksteady, reggae, Eastern European folk, and influences from funk, soul, jazz, punk, hip-hop, and '80s music. Originally from the U.S. and now based in Glasgow, I’ve spent years immersed in diverse music scenes, using this project as a way to fuse tradition with innovation.

As a multi-instrumentalist, I play bass, guitar, and keys, but my curiosity often leads me to experiment with mandolin, harmonica, violin, and more. I enjoy layering textures from Balkan and Eastern European music—like accordion, bouzouki, or tambura—and occasionally add vocals to complete the sound. Since launching Rocksteady TNT in 1999, I’ve been reimagining classic styles with originality, always guided by rhythm, melody, and heart.

A bit about my recording process

I write and record all the melodies and arrangements for Rocksteady TNT myself with my headphones on, usually starting in the evening after dinner while Star Trek Enterprise plays in the background. Songs come together organically—often sparked by a mood or feel—with instrumentals taking a few hours to a day and a half. Lyrics take longer, as I tend to be exacting with rhyme and meter, sometimes rewriting for days. Themes can be lighthearted or serious, depending on what strikes me. If I can't think of a song title for the instrumental songs, I often name it whatever I happen to be eating for dinner, or wish I was eating for dinner.

Everything is recorded in my living room using Logic Pro, a simple audio interface, an instrument cable or microphone. I build tracks layer by layer, starting with ska or reggae drum loops and adding bass, guitar, keys, and other textures as the song develops. Having played in countless ska/reggae and Eastern European folk bands—as well as some rock and soul projects—I always come back to the groove of ska, rocksteady and reggae. Rocksteady TNT is my way of honoring those roots while pushing into new musical territory.

Musical Influences

Here are some of the artists and bands that have shaped my sound and continue to inspire me:

Kelly's Instrumentophile Collection

I love instruments, but try to temper my obsession by buying inexpensive or secondhand gear for the most part. Some of my favourite instruments were dirt cheap or even free.