Kelly McTigue’s new song turns heartbreak into empowerment.

Kelly McTigue is back with a song that hits hard, pulls no punches, and leaves you feeling like you’ve just been through the same messy breakup she did. Her latest single, “Rather Be The Ex,” is an unapologetic anthem for anyone who’s had to walk away from a relationship with their head held high—knowing they dodged a bullet.

Let’s get real—Kelly didn’t just write another sad breakup song. “Rather Be The Ex” comes from her own experience with heartbreak, but instead of wallowing, she’s all about flipping the narrative. After moving from New York to Nashville, she found herself in a long-distance relationship that didn’t end well. When she discovered that her ex was seeing someone else, it of course hurt, but the whole ordeal gave her clarity. “Once I found that out, it was pretty easy to know I dodged a bullet,” she admits. And that’s exactly what “Rather Be The Ex” is about—feeling empowered when you realize you’re better off without them.

Kelly’s songwriting process? Let’s just say it’s as unpredictable as life itself. She’s written songs while driving golf carts and doing dishes, always ready to capture inspiration when it strikes. “For me, when inspiration hits, I need to flesh out the idea right then and there,” she explains. Her biggest belief? The song is already written—it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together. “Rather Be The Ex” came together while she was sitting on her bedroom floor, and when you listen to it, you can hear the rawness of those emotions she was sorting through in real-time.

Kelly’s music sonically draws comparisons to the likes of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, but she’s carving her own lane. “I live by Taylor’s motto: ‘If guys don’t want me to write songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things.’ That’s true for everyone in my life, not just dating,” she says. And while the honesty in her lyrics might remind you of Olivia, Kelly’s also got a grunge/rock influence thanks to her love for the genre (dare I say I hear some Avril in the mix). “I want to be known as the girl who’s not afraid to say what she thinks,” she says. Kelly’s music blends country, pop, and rock, and she’s all about breaking the genre rules, making her sound uniquely her (which you will hear below here in just a few moments but stick with me)

Since moving to Nashville two years ago, Kelly has really tapped into her country roots. “Performing and writing here made me realize I want to make country-influenced music,” she says. Artists like Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney have helped shape her sound, but Nashville has also given her the freedom to write what she wants without worrying about fitting into a box. That’s when her music really started to take off.

Like a lot of independent artists, Kelly’s embracing social media to connect with new fans. “TikTok has completely changed the game,” she explains. “It’s the best tool for reaching people you never would have before.” Kelly’s all about using the platform to promote her music and make a splash with this release. She knows it takes more than just being an artist these days—you have to be your own social media manager and hell even merch team, too. It’s a lot, but she’s up for the challenge if it means more people get to hear her music.

For Kelly, there’s no doubt music is her calling. “When I played my first round back at Winners in January 2023, I knew I was doing the right thing by staying in Nashville,” she says. A little sign from above—her lucky number 33—kept showing up that night, reminding her she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. We have had Kelly play our events as much as she’s available to do so. Her energy on stage is electric and she really knows how to take a room.

Kelly’s not slowing down. EVEN More music is coming soon, and she’s determined to keep the momentum going. “My goal is to keep sharing my music and being consistent with releases,” she says. Follow her on Instagram @kellymctiguee and TikTok @kellymctiguemusic to stay up to date.

Kelly McTigue is proving she’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind, and “Rather Be The Ex” is just the beginning of what’s sure to be an exciting ride.

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