#113 Kendra & The Bunnies
Kendra Muecke is a singer/songwriter, writer, actress, and published author from Houston, TX based now in Los Angeles, CA. She performs under the stage name “Kendra & the Bunnies”, as a psychedelic folk rock Americana and spoken word artist. “Kendra & the Bunnies” performs both as a full band and as a solo acoustic act. Her style heavily utilizes the element of storytelling through song, painting a creative experience for the listener. She has released four albums, charted globally at #8 on the digital radio charts (between Dua Lipa at #7 & Miley Cyrus at #9), published two books, writes for several online music magazines, is SAG-Aftra Eligible, and tours nationally.
In 2021, Kendra was nominated for 3 Josie Awards including: Best Artist of the Year (Multi-Genre), Best Song of the Year (Self Love Proclamation), and Best Music Video of the Year (Self Love). She was also nominated for a 2021 International Singer-Songwriter Association Award. You can read more about Kendra’s music and writing in over 100 publications such as JamBase, Relix Magazine, Live for Live Music, Denver Westword, Houston CityBook, Grateful Web, Getty Images, Shakedown News, The Hollywood Digest, Indie Pulse Music, and more.
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Transcript
Rae Leigh: All right. Today's songwriter tryst is with Kendra Muecke from Kendra and the Bunnies.
Kendra & The Bunnies: that's me. Thanks so much for having me on,
Rae Leigh: that's such a cute name. Where does Kendra and the Bunnies come from?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Thanks. It comes from a few different places. I'd say, first of all, from the character of the white rabbit, from Alice in Wonderland. He's just a very like spontaneous character and has bloodshot eyes from anxiety and it's just like freaking out. He's like, I'm late, I'm late. And, I had this revelation one time, cause I love that movie and love that story where the white rabbit , he runs in and he's like, I'm late.
I'm very late for an, a very important date. And he's like the first character you meet in the whole story. So it's like, well, you're not really late because the whole story and movie is starting around your insurance for Alice to fall down the rabbit hole to follow you into this Wonderland.
So it made me think I'm like, okay, if I'm so anxious about this, I have to have this, I have to do this. And very like, time oriented and stuff like that. It's like, I just think about it in the fact that I'm right on time, it might feel like I need to go faster. It might feel like I need to go slower, but in actuality, I'm here at the right time.
It just helps everything kind of snap into place for me. And just like the way, you know, we all have different vibes and that's just the way I am, whether I get, you know, kind of like, okay, time is going to be like this or things are going to be like that. If I just realized that's the way I look at stuff and enjoy it, then it helps a lot.
Rae Leigh: Time every time. I believe that
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: divine timing. Absolutely. All right. So tell me a little bit about yourself. Who are you and where do you come from?
Kendra & The Bunnies: So my journey in songwriting, the origin of the rabbits. So I'm from Houston, Texas. I grew up in Houston, Texas, and, I moved out to Los Angeles at 18 to study in university. Where I studied theater, arts acting. I grew up as a theater kid in musical theater, doing vocal lessons, dance, lessons, acting. Then I started to do film acting and in my high school years, and my teenage years, I discovered rock and roll music.
And I was like, oh, okay, wait a minute. This, is what's up. Like, I love musical theater, but like, this is awesome. You know, a group of people all gets together. They freaking rock the stage. A group of people show shows up to be the audience and dance and like, you know, it's the soundtrack of our lives.
Music that's on the radio music, that's in movies. And I just realized how much of an impact rock and roll had on my personal experience of life. So I started to also write poetry at that time in my teenage years. And then soon after that started playing guitar and it all just kind of fell into place, you know, multiple times after I graduated college.
I was like, wait a minute. Okay. What do I do with writing poetry, playing the guitar and singing, how do I marry those altogether? And it's like, oh yeah. Write some songs and perform those songs.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
that's pretty much it. I mean, I started doing poetry when I was younger, but I didn't know how people. Turned, those words into songs. I thought it was very mystical and magical. And I think as kids, you, do you think that sometimes, but you just learn don't you, so where did the passion for music come from and all the drama and stuff like that?
Was that a parents' sort of encouragement? Or did you, were you just always really theatrical and wanted to do that?
Kendra & The Bunnies: I've always kind of been, I guess, a ham for the spotlight and the hand for the stage. I was four years old and I think I was wearing a feather boa. There's a photo taken of me wearing like a feather boa, like dressed up and all that. But I do remember specifically, I saw on our family's TV set, you know, this woman , in a film , acting.
And I thought to myself, mom, is that what being a movie star is? And she was like, yeah. And I was like, that's what I want to do. So then I started, , we went and took me to audition at the local theater in downtown Houston. I auditioned. And then from there on out, I was doing like two to three, , multiple hour lessons.
A week. I joined the theater troupe at a very young age and it's just been what my entire life is about. so no one brought me into it. You know, my grandma was, a songwriter and my mom was a ballet dancer. So we definitely had a creative
Rae Leigh: Any jeans? Yeah.
Kendra & The Bunnies: our genes. But then I was like, this is what I'm going to do.
And, but it was such a young age. It's like, where did it come from? Just that natural. Like, this is what I like to do. I like to tap dance and entertain people.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. And so are you still doing a lot of acting and performing outside of your music?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Well, acting so interesting because it's become an entire part of my life. Like the way that I carry myself, the way that I am on stage, as a musician and being able to interact with the audience, however, living in Los Angeles, I am still doing like straight up acting work, like I've, you know, and modeling and stuff like that for the film.
Industry out here. But my main drive is music because I like being able to like rock out on stage, sing my own lyrics, you know, even if it's something else, I mostly write my own stuff, but I recently collaborated with someone in Nashville who helped me bring out a different side of my songwriting.
Cause I'm very like artsy and they're like, yes, let's do artsy, but let's also refine it. So you're like hitting the choruses and hitting the hooks, so it's more radio friendly and stuff and it's like, okay, and that's cool too, because I just , I love songwriting, but I also love singing and touching people's hearts.
And sometimes that is with different styles of music, more refined kind of pop rock type stuff, too.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Oh, and I've had that extreme, like everyone's different as a songwriter and I've definitely had the experience with Nashville songwriters trying to make my songs make more sense. But at the same time for me, they make sense, but I also like the artsy sort of stuff that it can be interpreted to then. Make sense to whoever, like it can mean something different. If it's a little bit more subjective to each person who's listening to it. And I kind of liked that. And so in my head, I'm like, do you know what that's that person's opinion? And I know, especially with country music, they like it to be a clear storyline and it should be very clear as to what's actually happening in the song.
But sometimes the story. Is a story of, it's a mix of multiple stories that are maybe similar but different. I don't know. Like I think there's beauty in both sides. That's my opinion.
Kendra & The Bunnies: totally,
totally, totally, And like I'm, I'm super in, in that same camp. And I was thinking I'm like, you know, when it comes to artistry and creative production and expressing ourselves in the artistic realm, it's like, Okay, this is what my, like my new album coming out at the end of this month is all written by me, very artsy, very like San Francisco.
I recorded it in San Francisco, very like west coast arena, rock surf, rock vibes, and then the next album that I'm doing. So I let myself just do that and let it be exactly as it's going to be. And, and just have it be about that. The theme is west coast sound. The theme is. You know, classic rock, a little bit of nineties influence a little bit seventies influence, but then my next next project from Nashville is very much, you know, it's kind of the theme of Nashville.
So I'm letting that be what it is a little bit more mainstream, radio friendly rock and roll with, with some country elements. Cause I'm not super country, just the way that I am, but I, I do, I am from Texas. So
Rae Leigh: neither. Am I?
Kendra & The Bunnies: blues. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
But
Rae Leigh: really country enough for anyone because everyone's idea of country is so different.
Kendra & The Bunnies: I saw this one group that does like traditional country. And I was like, I performed at this place in Nashville last week. And then the, the band after me was very country and they got on the stage and did like, well, mom, mama's been out back by the trailer and I'm like, whoa, this is country, man. Um, it was super cute.
Cause like they were rocking it, wearing overalls and like all that whole thing goes like, okay, cool. There's, there's a niche for like everyone doing all sorts of different stuff.
Rae Leigh: Oh, absolutely. I think really, because we're all different. You've just gotta be able to do yourself, you know, tell me about like the first song you ever wrote and that sort of process and how you got to that point.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Wow. Okay. So the first I wrote a lot of poetry first, so it was very like. How to know a little bit like dark edgy kind of stuff that I was writing in my teenage years, lots of like pent up anger, whatever was going on there, like, you know, drama or whatever that looking back. It's like, you know, it was just high school, like chill, chill, relax.
But, you know, I started at age like 14, like riding these kind of epic, very dark poems. And I go back and reread them. Cause I've since published them. And I actually didn't have to edit that much. You know, just some like GRA grammatical stuff. I didn't have to edit like the theme or anything. Cause I just like jumped in and knew when I go to writing, it's like write what you feel.
And then later on, it's interesting. It'll prove itself to me. I'm like, whoa, I didn't know. That was going to be so in depth and like, so spot on. But I'm glad I wrote about the way I felt about this guy who like looking back, like I get where I was coming from, but. You know, it's not like I'm still together with this guy, but this was like a monumental experience.
And this was like a monumental poem that I can look back and still resonate with. So yeah, so like I started writing poetry and then, you know, the songwriting thing, I mentioned where it was like, okay, I graduated college and I was like, okay, I write poetry. I sing, I play the guitar and I'm very kind of hippie gypsy types.
So what do I do to put this all together? Songwriting? So like the first song I wrote. Just, it felt very magical. I wrote it as a poem to start. I had just moved to Colorado and I felt like I moved to Colorado for two years out of my life, but I'm back in LA and I felt like I was like, okay, I'm like the great, I'm like the Buffalo that roams the ranges of America.
And it's like, you know, it's just that symbol of like, Individual freedom. And that symbol of, you know, I've, I've read a lot of writers and stuff like that who used the imagery of the Buffalo. And so I was like, that's what I feel like right now I kind of was moving on a whim. I was like, you know, I'm going to Colorado.
I should be in LA still, but I need to go find myself. And that's when I wrote my first song, I was like, when I let myself be free, and then I wrote this poem at this amazing, beautiful concert at red rocks amphitheater. And then I happened to be like, you know, investigating the area because I had just moved there.
So I typed in Google. It was like easy places, emphasis on easy, easy places to hike in you, my area in Colorado. So I find one, I go there and like, I get there and there's like this Buffalo. Roaming range. And I was like, whoa. So I like brought my guitar. I came back with my guitar and I put that poem about the Buffalo to chords.
And that became the first song I wrote.
Rae Leigh: Oh, that's beautiful. I I've never seen that before, but I reckon that would be a better.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. Yeah. Just like, you know, beautiful animals roaming, but seemingly in the middle of the city, because now it's like, you know, the two thousands or whatever. So. I mean, there is that element. Maybe I'll write a song about that too. In the future of like roaming free while still being in the complete metropolis.
Rae Leigh: That's really cool. All right. So tell me was it ever a choice? I dunno, cause you were not swimming kidney, you had Addis in the family, but was there a point when you were actually like, okay, that's what I'm going to be. I'm going to be that when I grow up in or I'm going to like do this as a career because that, for a lot of people that do arts is a hobby and it's a way of expression and just self therapy and relaxation.
And then there's us crazy ones who were like, no, I'm going to, this is my life. I want to make a business out of this and sustain myself this way. Was there a moment for you where that was like, yep. This is what I'm doing.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. That's so funny that you ask that because there's been multiple moments along the way, and it's always like, It always feels like the perfect amount of leap of faith. And this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Like, there's all those like manifestations spiritual quotes that are like, if you're, if you're doing something uncomfortable, then you're moving in the right direction.
And so I just have that conversation. Right. But it's
Rae Leigh: heard that
Kendra & The Bunnies: is uncomfortable. Yeah. I just had that conversation again with myself today. I was like, this is what you're doing and you're doing it well. And so it's kind of like that ongoing pep talk. Of believing in oneself, but I'm also one of those people that's kind of in my feelings and stuff like that all the time.
So it's like, you know, you're on the right path, but I'd say the first initial kind of times, I mean, I decided that as a kid and then I was an acting for years and then post-college, that's why I moved to Colorado. Cause I was like, well, what do I really want? Out of my life. What do I really bring to the table?
I mean, I'm a great actress. I love it. Shakespeare stage, whatever, whatever, you know, mean girl on film. That's cool, whatever. But like what what's going to like make my heart sing and like really be fulfilling. And so then I moved to Colorado wrote that first couple of songs. I was like, okay, I'm a song writer.
So it was just a gradual process of like this and then that, and then this, and then that, and then continuously. It's kind of like, oh my gosh, this is amazing that I'm doing it because I'll book another gig, I'll book a podcast like this, and I'm like, it's really all happening. And so it's kind of a day-to-day conversation.
And then there's those monumental things along the way, like, you know, getting recognition, getting nominated for a songwriting award, like, oh my God. Yay. Like, ay, ay, yay. I know I'm doing this. I hope other people know I'm doing this. Okay. Here's some evidence. Okay. Amazing. Booked another. So it's a day to day thing, like believing in oneself, then it's interesting because I feel I'm so sorry.
I feel like sometimes it folds, it folds into my songwriting. Cause I'm like, that becomes a part of like, the character I write about is like believing in yourself through the dark of the night or whatever. And it's like, okay. But I just want to write songs. Like I know everything's good.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
And the thing is like, we all need that validation. Sometimes everyone needs it and there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the validation, all you need is someone to say, thank you. Or to even just listen when you're singing, you know, you can sing a song on an open mic and someone that's a stranger listens to you.
And it's like, that's the validation I needed. And other times we need. You know, an international songwriting association too, to say, yeah, we think that's a pretty cool song. And I, I'm a big believer that we always get what we need and Sometimes we need to win in. Sometimes we need to not win.
Sometimes that's the kick in the butt to say, do better,
Kendra & The Bunnies: Uh huh.
Rae Leigh: and maybe we can do better, but we're being lazy. I mean, that's kind of like, that's what I tell myself.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Uh
Rae Leigh: And I think it's important thing that we, we just like, yeah, remember that we can always just got to keep going and like yeah. Divine timing and we always get exactly what we need when we need it.
So, what about your music when you are writing songs? Is there a particular goal or message? Cause I love, I love the messages that I've heard in your music, but I want to hear from you, what is it that you put into your songs that you want the audience to hear? yeah.
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah. I was thinking of the, I'm actually wearing my rolling stones shirt right now, which is so awesome. Cause I was thinking of you can't always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you just might find you get what you need. And I was like, I used to, like whenever I heard that song, I was like, it's catchy.
I love it. But I want what I want. And also what I need.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Kendra & The Bunnies: that element of getting what one needs. I'm glad you said that. Cause that's true. It's like, okay. You know, and then something happens. It's like, thank you so much, much gratitude for, for everything. The messages in my music would be definitely that grateful element, that gratitude of being like I'm.
Writing a song and I'm able to put the lyrics together and the chords together. So like definitely that foundational element of like gratitude for even being able to do what I love and you know, to, to act and to play shows and all that. There's, there's definitely that element of gratitude. And then also just like, you know, the beautiful sunshine and getting to live in the city that I love and.
And meet cool people and stuff. I think that that's so beautiful. A lot of the music that I listened to is just based off of that feel good, rock and roll. Like, let's go out to a show, let's go meet some people let's dance around. So that's one big theme. Another big theme would be self acceptance and self renewal.
So like, you know, I, I mentioned earlier that I'm in my feelings a lot, so that means I constantly have to be. Going in between the head and the heart. Cause I'm like an intellectual. So it's like, my heart is like
going,
Rae Leigh: that.
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. Yeah. We all do that.
Kendra & The Bunnies: how do we do it? You know, like just going back and forth and being like, okay, this answer, I like to put into my music.
Like those insights that I have of being able to follow our hearts, going through the trial and the triumph and like weaving into my songs. This is how I did it. So other people can know what their version of is like, okay. You know, someone who's listening, they're like, should I go ahead and launch that makeup business I've always wanted to do?
Should I do my YouTube channel? Should I book the ticket to go study with a healer in Peru? You know, whatever it is that
Rae Leigh: Maybe not at the
Kendra & The Bunnies: I want to do too.
Rae Leigh: That's so cool. Yeah.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. So just to like share that moment of enlightenment where I was like, oh my gosh, I understand this is what I should do. And just shed light on that.
So whenever someone hears it, they hear their version of it.
Rae Leigh: That's beautiful. And it.
is, I think someone wants to put it to me is like we all kind of have two lives. And for me, I think it's like we have a life of searching and learning where we're at, we're growing into the people that we are. And we're just everything that we're going through is probably just training for what we've meant to do. And then we find what we're meant to do. And some people find it when they're really young. Some people don't find it until the fifties sixties that like their, like their sole purpose in life. And, and, and unfortunately, maybe some people never find it, but I do believe that it's always there. And I think there's like that there's that time of learning and training and, and.
Seeking. And then there's that time of right now, this is who I am. This is what I'm going to do. And like, I'm going to do it, and this is that's it. But I dunno, I, I like it, but at the same time, I think it's interesting because I think both, both lives are just as important as each other, you know, they're symbiotic. Yeah.
What about karate? You said you were did you, I know you didn't say who you wrote with Nashville, but have you done co-writing
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. So I've started, I've started to do co-writing. I brought people on for projects, like for my most recent album that I did in San Francisco, I wrote all the lyrics. I wrote the melodies, the chord progressions, but then I met up with like my lead guitarist, who was also the producer for the album.
And I'm like, here's what I have, you know, it's basically acoustic. This is what I'm thinking for the song, like the vibes and stuff, and maybe this instrumentation, but then he helped compose and bring to life like, okay, let's put like a, a horn section here. Let's do bass for these certain melodic kind of riffs on the bass and stuff like that.
So I'd say this was like a co-production. Co composing on this most recent album. And then as far as like seriously sitting down with another songwriter and being like, here's the theme, this is what I want to accomplish with the song and the vibe. I started to do that with some people in Nashville.
And I think it's really fruitful. I mean, there definitely has to be a dynamic of like understanding each other, having kind of common goals and intentions for the song. Or just like going into it and just being like, let's write, you know, but to having have it, have that like shared moment of like, this is what we're going to accomplish with the song I see as a really good element.
Co-writing
Rae Leigh: yeah,
And you always get something different by working with someone different. It's just one of those things where it's like, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's still a learning experience either way.
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah,
Rae Leigh: yeah.
Cool. And do you have any tips for people going into songwriting?
A co-write with someone like what you find works and what doesn't work?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. So for going into a co-write, I'd say have a couple ideas, like written down of different themes that you'd like to cover and then have, like, I like to have like a running list of words on my phone that I find exciting. So I've got like a list on my phone of just like. Cool words that I've seen while reading other people's books and by , watching TV.
Cause I watch TV with the subtitles on when I do watch TV. And I'm like, oh, that's a cool word. Or if I hear it in another song, although sometimes if I hear it in another song, I'm like, all right, it's been , been done before, but just to like have a running list of stuff to go to. Cause sometimes it's like being in a co-writing situation.
Like, okay, how can I make myself look good when there's literally nothing on my mind right now? So have those tools ready. So whatever you are feeling like that day, you're ready to jump in. And then maybe there'll just be a day where you're super electric and you don't have to look at your list of words or your list of themes at all.
You'll just walk in and you'll be like, Hey, I saw like an orange tree on the way over here. And I want to write about how, you know, we have to wait until the orange w have to wait until something's ripe in order to eat it. And we'll just go with that idea. Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, it's bitter. If it's not right. I love that theory.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Really well.
Rae Leigh: idea.
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah.
Rae Leigh: something you just pulled out of you like
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah. I don't know. I think of oranges. That's like one of my favorite colors, so,
Rae Leigh: Yeah. Okay. It's still there. Like, I don't know, just from what you were saying about like what we were saying about right. Timing and stuff, and it's like, you're right. Like, things are always sweeter. If you wait for them to be ripe. If you try to eat them too early or you wait too long, it's rotten or it's, it's bitter.
That's a song. Let's write it.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah, absolutely.
Rae Leigh: That's.
Kendra & The Bunnies: What kind of
Rae Leigh: That's never happened before, but
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Country pop sort of, Rocky, actually more of my stuff's become more rock lately, but Yeah.
God, that's cool. That's all right. I can edit this by the way.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Okay. Very cool. Well, maybe we'll write that song or, you know, we'll see where the inspiration takes us, but like that's definitely something right there. Like the ripeness of. Waiting for something. And they're like, what you said about not over-weighting to where it's like, cause then you gotta make it into like an orange marmalade or like use the Rines for something, which
Rae Leigh: you.
can still use it. yeah,
I like that. It's such a big thing. Isn't it? With? Artists? Well, I've, I've noticed just because I talk to people all the time and everyone's a different age. Like I've talked to 14 year olds, 13 year olds, and then I've talked to, you know, people in their fifties and sixties.
And everyone's got a complex around their age, whether they're too young or they're too old.
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah.
Rae Leigh: it's like, You're perfect because everyone goes through every age and whatever age you are is, is perfect. We all experience every age. And like you said, sometimes moments in our, everyone ripens at a different time.
Oh, I'm so glad we're recording this. I'll go back and listen to it later. Anyway,
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: going with the conversation. What is the best advice you've ever been given when it comes to the creative world and the creative industry?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Oh it's so much good advice I was thinking about. Okay. What's the best advice that I've gotten? Well, I think that one of the best, you know, piece of pieces of advice is just. Do it just to start, do it the best way to get started and to get going is to get started and to get going. And you know, when you feel like stuff is ready release it it might be when you look back, like my first album, when I look back, I'm like, I should have titled that demos, you know, but I was in a place at the time where, like I had my acoustic guitar.
I knew how to record. I wanted to get these songs out and like, that's cool. I honored that place. And it started to get me to where I am now. So it's like, I'm glad I acted on that. Then I can always go back and rerecord, blah, blah, blah, blah. But I think that it's like, you know, think things through, but go for it and get started and just like, get the ball rolling because so much magic happens.
And like when things are speaking to us, there's a reason that speaking to us, you know, so act on it, think things through, go when you're ready, but just start and do it.
Rae Leigh: I, I love that to start and do it.
That's like, ah, just do it, stop talking about it, just do it and then see what happens. And I think that what you said, like about creative, like just wanting to get it out there. I don't know about you, but I feel like that with every single new song I write there's that like, that NRE energy, that new relationship, energy that you make when you meet someone, I get that with new songs and I just want to shout it to the world.
Like I want to record it and release it that day.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yes.
Rae Leigh: And it's a, it's a good thing that, that doesn't happen because you know, things get refined with time. You know, it's like a nice wine. It would show is, but there is like this, that excitement behind. Wanting to just record it and release it, you know, very quickly.
And I think, I think every creative person has to learn that, like, I've definitely done that where it's like, oh, maybe that was a bit quick or, you know, but you don't know what you don't know until you don't until, you know, you know,
Kendra & The Bunnies: Huh.
Rae Leigh: and so, Yeah. I think that that's such a common thing for creatives.
They're like, you want everything done yesterday?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: That's just the type of people that we are. And I think knowing that other people were like that made me feel better about myself. Cause I was constantly like beating on myself because I wanted everything to be done already. And now I'm just like, enjoy the journey, you know, let's just enjoy it.
What about other advice that you would give to say someone in high school or someone maybe even like another kid who's a drama kid or someone who wants to get into songwriting and music and maybe just doing poetry like you did. What advice would you give to that person?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Interesting question. Cause it's like with the poetry element, that's a little bit different. Cause like, you know, I'd say with the poetry element, the drama element and like. Being artsy and stuff. And especially speaking to someone who's who's, you know, in, in their teenage years, like right. What comes to mind and be super free with yourself on like what you write about what, like plays you put on.
Cause I put on plays in high school, cause it was like, you know, we've got the directing teacher there. We've got the space to do it. We've got kids in the school. Who'll come to the show. So I'd put on shows all the time. Cause there's like, no overhead. Now it's like, where are we going to rent the space?
How many tickets? You know, whatever, whatever that's the beauty of becoming a professional is. You're like, okay. But all the other details I'd say when you're in that like incubation period where you, you know, you can do everything you have somewhere to go sleep at night, you got your parents' house, blah, blah, blah.
Well, I don't know everyone's stories, but be free and, and open with your creative style. And even no matter what age you are, be free, be open with your creative style, because you'll always surprise yourself with that person that comes out of the woodwork. And they're like that poem that you wrote. I understand it.
And I'm so glad you wrote it. I didn't know anyone else wrote like that because I've written poetry. That's like super crazy, whatever psychedelic. And then someone's like, I know what you're saying. And I'm like, really that's amazing. And had I like self-censored or been like, nah, no, one's going to understand that.
You know, just like write it and then you can always write another poem. That's more refined, the more the merrier, and then you can edit, do whatever your heart speaks to you to do and believe in yourself. Of course.
Rae Leigh: of us do what your heart says. And it sounds like, I think that's one of those ones where it's easy to say than it is to do.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Like, because I mean, I don't know about you, but I'm a people pleaser and I, my heart will definitely, I know when my heart wants something, but it's conflicted by the fear of letting someone else down on it, not being what they want.
Does that make sense? And like, maybe it's like, I dunno, I don't want conflict or something, but it can be really hot in those moments to go, actually, I'm so sorry. But my heart is telling me this. And I know that that might not sit well with what you want, but,
Kendra & The Bunnies: yeah.
Rae Leigh: and it, and sometimes I've actually had to have that conversation with people sometimes.
And it's like, we don't have a reason, like a logical reason as to why I'm feeling this way, but I have to say no,
Kendra & The Bunnies: Right.
Rae Leigh: have to honor my body. Even if it's self-sabotage or, you know, I have to honor what my heart's saying. And that's, that's been a really hard lesson for me to learn. I don't know about you, but.
Does that make sense?
Kendra & The Bunnies: Yeah, it does make complete sense. Cause I'll get like opportunities or random jobs or something. Like I recently got asked to do to sing for a friend and I'd love to do it, but the thing is, is that I'd have to travel. A little bit out of the way, I'd be like booking a hotel, booking a rental car. And at the end of the day, it would be a big kind of investment for me to pick up and go do this song, you know, to perform with these people.
And I like would love to do it. However, I had to listen to my heart and be like, yes, Kendra. But like the universe is giving you an option right now where you can say, Hey, like I'd love to do this, but other needs need to be met. And like, that's a conversation I had with the universe of like, I would love to pick up.
And like fly over here and like do this, but like in return, you know, how about an awesome paying gig? You know, where I sell this many tickets or like something that comes in to make sense for it. And at the time it was so hard for me to say, no, I just about asked everyone. I was like one step away from like calling my psychic.
I'm like, I need a psychic on speed dial. know, I'm like checking this horoscope. I like download this horoscope. I'm like reading tarot cards. I'm like calling my mom and she was like, Kendra. You already made the decision and I'm like, but it's so hard to say no, when I know it's something I want to do, but, but like you said, it's like something more than that.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. And I think your, your heart knows what's right. Even when I think the brain's like, but, but actually, and I don't even know if it's the brain. I think sometimes it's the ego, like it's the ego going? Oh, but I'd get to do this. I get to say that I've done this and your heart's like, yeah.
but no, it's not good.
It's not good for you. Anyway, we can talk about that forever. I want to ask you a question around your inspirations. So I'm going to put it this way. If you could carve out a song with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Kendra & The Bunnies: That is such a good question. I guess it would be. Well, it would be Jerry Garcia who's passed away from the grateful dead or Bob Weir from the grateful dead. Who's still alive, very much alive. And I get to see him in concert. You know, they just announced their upcoming concert. He's he plays with the grateful dead too, which is now dead and company.
So I'd say Bob we're like, definitely. Cause there's so much history. The grateful dead is like my favorite band and so many of their themes. Seep into my songwriting experience. So to have that collective like, experience would be so awesome. And I just feel like we'd really click with like our mentality and stuff.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, the influence in that, the similarity of connection. That's really cool. Awesome. Cool. So what have you got going on this year? Tell me
Kendra & The Bunnies: Cool. So I have. So much stuff. So tomorrow, tonight, whatever day it is, May 14th. I have my new single coming out titled. So Hollywood May 21st the new music video. And then at the end of the month, I'm releasing full 15 track album from San Francisco titled of consideration. And it's definitely rock and roll heavy folk rock.
Good vibes. That's out on May 28th. Then in June, I'm playing some shows in Northern California. I'm playing a couple of shows in Los Angeles, in north Hollywood and some other places. And then and then, and it's so exciting. I love performing live. And then in July, I'm releasing those four tracks. I just recorded in Nashville that are a little bit more mainstream and stuff, and some music videos with that.
So I'm excited to see, see what my audience thinks they're going to be like, whoa, radio friendly, Kendra. Like, what is
Rae Leigh: Yeah. I think that's a transition and a lot of people make and it's a necessity for us to move from. Not just being able to do what we love, but get into the mainstream so that people are aware of what we're doing.
And then we can, because you do need a fairly decent sized following to make a living out of it so that then you can afford to travel and do multiple gigs and go and put on a gig and know that people are going to come, you know, and that's. Something that you have to build and to build that, I guess, I don't know if it's as much now, but it's still on those things.
We kind of have to have radio friendly songs. I think they're losing that now with like this, like Spotify and apple and social media being more prevalent YouTubes, probably more prevalent these days. But I think people are still kind of, we're trained and conditioned to listen to a three minute song, you know, and.
Have certain structures to it and less open to artsy stuff as much as we want to do the artsy stuff. Okay.
Kendra & The Bunnies: Well, I think you're totally right. I think about some bands like blink one 82 or no doubt, or, you know, some of those people who are like alternative rock that were super popular, I would definitely be a little bit of a rock revival. But some of those artists that have like radio friendly tracks, but then if you listen to the rest of the album and you're like, oh, I see they've got like all the steps here and stuff like that.
So, you know, I don't know what the future holds for me. I know it's definitely, definitely going to be music, but, you know, I'm kind of picturing this bounce back between where it's like one albums mainstream next one's artsy, or like five songs are mainstream and then the other ones are kind of woven in there, you know?
So like the mainstream songs. Cast a wider net and then people come listen, but like, I want to reach as many people as possible and, and have that moment of like connection. And, you know, there's just something really catchy about well-written songs with with that structure to it too. So it's kind of also a love of like, just having a song that gets stuck in my own head.
And I'm like, oh my gosh, my own songs stuck in my head.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
That's I think that's like, you know how everyone has like a skill with songwriting. I think that's my thing. Like. The most feedback I've ever had. As far as my songs go is it gets stuck in their head. So I think it's a mullet, like the melody, like I think that's just that sort of hooky melody sort of stuff coming out.
But I love writing, like writing with other writers who are really good with lyrics and. Like clever lyrics. And then putting that to a hooky melody. That's like my favorite thing to do, but Yeah.
no, that's really cool.
Well, I'm going to put all of your socials, your music your website, so that people can go and check out your new single that's coming out.
This podcast will probably be after that, but it'll be before your albums. So, we'll be, we'll give it a good plug and people will be able to find you through the description and it'll also be on the website. Is there anything else you would like to say before we finish up?
Kendra & The Bunnies: thank you so much for having me on your show today. It's been really awesome conversation and I got so much just like talking with another songwriter. It was really cool. Thank you.
Rae Leigh: Kendra. I think what you're doing is amazing. And don't ever doubt yourself and just, I'm really looking forward to watching you blossom and grow as you start releasing all of this new music. It's going to be awesome. I think the world needs it at the moment,
Kendra & The Bunnies: thanks.
