Kendra & the Bunnies Interview

Posted on August 12, 2019 by mindymccall in Interviews // 1 Comment

Kendra & the Bunnies brings a positive message coupled with a unique approach to live performance to the LA musical landscape.

Thanks for joining us today Kendra, tell us about the influences inspiring your current sound?

Thanks for inviting me to interview! My most recent influences are sounding like traditional & Celtic, folk-rock within a progressive singer/songwriter style. It translates super well with the go western or go home vibe that I am presenting on my upcoming EP and second album. The way I am singing lately has a lot of sonic depth to it. When I play back my recordings, I can hear years of Scottish, Irish, and Native American history howling through from my/our ancestors. It feels like each vocal inflection gives way to storytelling. Artist wise, I have been listening to Syd Barrett, Ariel Pink, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Leftover Salmon, and Led Zeppelin. Shucks, also some Radiohead, Chopin, and the album, “Artifact” by Sound Tribe Sector 9.

Which comes first for you, the lyrics or the music in the studio?

In my eyes, every piece of artwork begins with the movement of spirit through self. On that token, a good portion of my songs begin as poems. Starting with the word composition, I adjust parts of the poem to fit a lyrical rhythm, then I frame chords around it. Songs that begin as a poem remain subject driven. In another route, some songs start as groovy guitar riffs cooing for deep meaning. Those songs are very authentic to whatever vibe my guitar is giving me. This is where the aforementioned Led Zeppelin influences rear their pretty face. Thirdly, we have the ‘Lightning Bolt’ songs, as I call them— Those are the ones that I write in one flash. Whatever the song needs to exist is written at once through feeling the wholeness of that endeavored moment.

Please tell us about your new, yet to be released music.

Awesome. My upcoming EP is titled “of Always”. It is a tried and true dedication to my muse in the moon. It takes love at face value, balancing most songs between a lament and an ode to hope. This is a 6 track release laying heavy on western circular guitar; meaning there is a lot of auditory return. The way I play the acoustic is warm and allows an overlapping of pitches. There is also a spoken word track. I just sent the EP off to distributors yesterday for release. Now, onto my second full-length album, “of Thank You”. I am really excited about both of these projects.

Where do you seek inspiration when creating music?

I let all mediums of art and experience inform each other. There is a term for writing poetry from the inspiration one receives while viewing art. The term is “Ekphrastic Poetry”. I write ekphrastically a lot. This also takes the shape of travel, live music concerts, days spent in nature, self-reflection, and meditation. It’s like a pristine silver game-piece that I move throughout the board-game of life. Through meditation I polish my piece to shine. Speaking of peace, that is my driving conviction.

What have been some of your most memorable moments thus far in your career?

Oh boy! The most memorable moments in my career thus far are outlined by the constructive format of universal goodness. Meaning, I am eternally grateful for every transcendent step that has led deeper into the fruition of my dream. There was the publishing of my first book, “The Politics of” in 2017. The publishing of my second book, “Project Non-Arch: Operation Clown School”, coming up on September 13, 2019. The debut of my first album on July 5, 2019, titled, “of Vinyl”, recorded under my stage name, Kendra & the Bunnies. And then there is another super memorable moment close to my heart, but slightly intangible. It was when I was given my wings. Grateful Dead fans will know what this means. It is an honor.

Please let us know about the upcoming release dates and your next show date/ location.

8/22 — Kendra & the Bunnies @ TRiP Santa Monica, 8:30 pm.

8/23 — Mr. Thrive’s Stars of Tomorrow Podcast streaming on Spotify.

9/13 — 2nd Book, “Project Non-Arch: Operation Clown School” published.

10/2 — Spoken Word/Speak Up Night @ Hell Phone in Brooklyn, NY; 7:00 pm.

10/3 — Live Session @ Leesta Vall Sound Recordings in Brooklyn, NY.

10/4 — Songwriter Showcase @ Arcadia Bar + Kitchen in Astoria, NY; 7:30 pm.

11/12 — Songwriter Showcase @ Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood, CA; 8:00 pm.

September/October release of EP, “of Always”, streaming on all platforms, Stay Tuned!

(please include all your social media links and where to stream your music)

Kendra’s website: https://kendraelisabethmuecke.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Sup4xcv2oCm7Z2rPl8puJ?si=ihcwE2WiQVelnKxVOuWLDQ