Kiki Ebsen - Fill Me Up (2021)

Singer-songwriters draw inspiration from the world around them and the experiences within. With her eighth album, Fill Me Up, Kiki Ebsen channels the power of love—what it can do to you, and what it can do for you—into a deeply personal and musically diverse journey.

The album opens with the 1960s rock-inspired “Dead End Places,” setting a nostalgic yet energetic tone. Kiki revisits the roots of her earlier songwriting while embracing fresh sounds and themes. The title track, “Fill Me Up,” pulses with funky, retro energy, driven by rich synths and bass. It celebrates all the things that nourish the heart, body, mind, and soul—an anthem of joy, sensuality, and fulfillment.

“Keep You On My Mind” and “Her Turn Now” explore more recent emotional terrain, delivering honest, soul-baring reflections on heartbreak and healing. Meanwhile, “Take My Time” was born under a full moon above Telluride, as Kiki hiked through the hills while the Bluegrass Festival played below. The track is a contemplative ode to slowing down and making space for what truly matters.

Kiki continues to weave a rich emotional landscape with “Change My Mind”—a declaration of enduring love and commitment—and “Old Love Never Dies,” which warmly remembers a past love with gratitude instead of sorrow.

Her love of R&B shines in “Peace.Harmony” and “Someday Soon.” The former is a powerful testimony to perseverance and healing, emerging from struggle with serenity and hope. The latter urges us to live fully in the moment, reminding us that tomorrow isn’t promised and happiness should never be postponed.

Throughout Fill Me Up, Kiki is joined by an extraordinary group of musicians. Emmy-nominated guitarist Grant Geissman (Chuck Mangione, Two and a Half Men), versatile guitarist James Harrah (Madonna, Herbie Hancock), master drummer Bernie Dresel (Whiplash, The BBB), and classically trained bassist Steven Lawrence lay a powerful foundation. Gabe Witcher’s fiddle brings an authentic Americana flavor to “Take My Time,” while Brian Kilgore’s percussion adds vibrant texture and rhythm across the album.

Basic tracks were recorded by Ross Pallone at Mikron Studios in Thousand Oaks, CA—Ross and Kiki are longtime touring collaborators with Christopher Cross. The project was completed during the pandemic in Kiki’s own Ranch Studio, capturing a sense of intimate isolation and reflection. The album was mixed by her husband, Steve Wallace—a 30-year industry veteran whose credits include Tracy Chapman, Prince, Foo Fighters, and Rage Against the Machine. Together, Kiki and Steve co-produced the album, blending technical mastery with heartfelt artistry.

“With ‘Fill Me Up,’ Kiki Ebsen delivers a landmark album that radiates life, love, and hope. It’s a reminder that when a dream burns bright within you, the path to your destiny will rise up to meet you.”