Kelsea Ballerini Unveils ‘Burn the Baggage’ Candle with Ranger Station

Kelsea Ballerini has partnered with Nashville-based perfumer Ranger Station to launch a new candle titled “Burn the Baggage,” inspired by her popular song “Baggage.” This collaboration marks a unique intersection of music and scent, allowing fans to engage with her artistry in a novel way. The candle is designed not only to evoke memories but also to symbolize the healing process following heartbreak.

Reflecting on her childhood, Ballerini shared that her earliest fragrance memory is of “warm vanilla sugar.” She described the scent as comforting, invoking feelings of relaxation and warmth, akin to wearing fuzzy socks and an oversized sweater. This nostalgic connection informs the essence of the candle, which aims to create a sensorial journey through recovery and emotional growth.

Crafting a Unique Experience

The “Burn the Baggage” candle serves as a metaphor for releasing emotional burdens. As the candle burns, the melted wax represents the remnants of pain and the consequences of past relationships. Ballerini stated, “It just felt like the perfect kind of metaphor for a candle.” Since its release in October 2024, “Baggage” has garnered over 48 million streams on Spotify, demonstrating the song’s resonance with listeners.

In a creative twist, once the candle is fully consumed, customers can enjoy a complimentary cocktail recipe named “I Rode Off Into the Tequila Sunset.” This drink, inspired by another of Ballerini’s songs, “First Rodeo,” adds an interactive element to the product, inviting fans to connect with her music in yet another way.

Ballerini’s long-standing admiration for Ranger Station started well before this collaboration. She expressed her enthusiasm for their locally made candles, crafted by the husband-and-wife team, Steve and Jordan Soderholm. The Soderholms were keen to make Ballerini their first female collaborator after previously partnering with country artists like Dan and Shay and Noah Kahan.

A Blend of Scents and Stories

Steve Soderholm emphasized the opportunity to explore a floral scent, which is usually outside his comfort zone. “Every perfume has a style, and florals usually aren’t mine,” he noted. “Kelsea gave me the perfect opportunity to do so. From the beginning, she wanted to tell a story of two things: heartbreak and growth.” The resulting scent blends floral notes with earthy, woodsy amber, embodying the dual themes of the collaboration.

The launch of “Burn the Baggage” coincides with the expanded release of Ballerini’s album, “Patterns,” which features two limited deluxe editions. Ballerini hopes her fans and others will be drawn to the candle, whether they discover it in Nashville at the Ranger Station store or through online retailer Revolve. “I think it’s a candle that should be on everyone’s bedside table this November,” she remarked.

In a commitment to social responsibility, 10 percent of all proceeds from the candle sales will be donated to Porter’s Call, a nonprofit that provides mental health resources for recording artists and their families. Through this partnership, Ballerini aims not only to share her artistic vision but also to contribute positively to the mental health landscape in the music industry.