One Acre West

Hailing from the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and the wide-open plains of Texas, One Acre West is the deeply personal Americana project of singer Kristi Jean and her songwriting and life partner, Steven Branstetter. After years performing in cover bands—from classic country and rock to radio hits - they found themselves at a turning point. “We love those songs,” Kristi says. “But after a while, singing someone else’s story - especially one you don’t fully identify with - can make you forget why you’re doing it.” Kristi and Steve had lived enough life to have stories of their own, and it was time to tell them.

The name “One Acre West” reflects where they’ve come from and where they’re headed. It’s a nod to home - Steven’s early life in Boulder, Colorado where prairie met mountains, and Kristi’s upbringing in small-town Texas - and to the idea of staking a small piece of land in the vast terrain of original music.

Their debut album, produced by legendary Austin sideman/engineer/producer Bradley Kopp (Joe Ely, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Eliza Gilkyson), weaves together the couple’s influences and experiences. It’s a collection that moves between memory and longing, love and distance, change and constancy, and the oddities of living in the west. With echoes of traditional country and roots, these songs resonate with anyone who has felt the ache of loss or the weight of time, yet are infused with the unwavering hope that has driven pioneers forward across the plains.

Steven’s musical foundation was shaped by his dad’s love of Hank Williams and Buck Owens and his mom’s eclectic mix of Beatles and jazz. Kristi’s journey took her from church choirs and musical theater to opera and bar bands - but she always remained that small-town girl with a story to tell.

Now based in the ridge-and-valley heart of Appalachia, One Acre West is crafting music that feels lived-in and honest. Their songs are about holding on and letting go, about people and places that mark us, and about the winding road between who we were and who we’re becoming.

With their debut release, Kristi and Steven invite listeners into their world - rooted, reflective, and real. One Acre West isn’t just a band; it’s a story in motion.