Inspired by stories of infamous bank robber Ned Kelly, brothers Willy and Cody Braun started touring and recording as country rock band Reckless Kelly back in 1997. After releasing their first album, _Millican_, in the summer of 1998, the band has recorded nine albums in 13 years while touring the country in support of each album.
The bands ninth album, _Good Luck and True Love_ is its first album to be released on Reckless Kelly’s own label, No Big Deal Records. Reckless Kelly will play at 9:30 p.m. Friday at The Blue Note. Willy Braun took the time to talk to MOVE about the band’s life as country rockers.
**[MOVE]**: Right now, you’re in the early stages of the North American tour in support of the album. How’s the tour going so far?
**[Willy Braun]**: We’re in Arkansas now. It’s part of our never-ending tour. We’re always touring. Normally, we play 200 to 250 shows a year.
**[M]**: What’s unique about your ninth album, _Good Luck and True Love_?
**[WB]**: It’s really not all that different. It’s just more like we used to back in the old days, playing music that’s kind of in between country and rock. We produced it ourselves, so hopefully it doesn’t sound too far off from what we normally do.
**[M]**: _Good Luck and True Love_ was released on No Big Deal Records, the band’s own label. Why did the band decide to start its own label?
**[WB]**: The way the industry is changing these days, there’s a lot of differences in the ways that records are released and recorded. A lot of people download songs and record stores are going under. It’s just the independent thing. We have a little bit more creative control, and maybe we’ll see a little bit more money at the end of the day. It just seemed like something we could pull off at this point.
**[M]**: Among country fans, the band is well known for its live performances. Why do you think that is?
**[WB]**: That’s just always been our bread and butter. We’ve always toured a lot, and we’ve been doing that for 15 years now. I think we’re getting better as a band. We put a lot of energy into the shows. People tend to have a good time at the live shows.
**[M]**: Your latest album was the ninth in the band’s career. How does it feel to have gotten this far as a band?
**[WB]**: It’s a lot of fun. We all can’t believe that it went by so fast. We really want to just keep touring and making records. We’re just trying to get fresh music out there and as long as we can do that we’re pretty happy.
**[M]**: You’ve played The Blue Note in past years. What do you like most about coming back to Columbia?
**[WB]**: We’ve played here a couple of times. It’s great. It’s a cool venue, and the crowd’s always good, and it’s a nice little town where you can walk around and check out the shops. We play everywhere, but we like college towns. There’s always a lot of action in the college towns. All the kids are excited to be at school and around their friends.
**[M]**: The band’s show coincides with Homecoming weekend. Is the band planning on attending any Homecoming festivities?
**[WB]**: Yeah, if we have time. We all love to check and see whatever’s going on. Hopefully the kids will be ready to party.