Upcoming 100: What inspired you to start creating music, and how did you develop your unique sound?
Kendra Connors: For me, inspiration for making music has always come from inside. I started making music at the age of four. A song from the radio was stuck in my head and somehow without having ever played a real song on the piano before, I knew I could play this song. Sure enough, I sat down and plunked it out with both hands. That was the moment that inspiration and creation intersected for me. I continued playing music by ear and by the age of eight, I started writing my own music on the piano. By age ten, I was creating multiple track pieces on my synthesizer. My sound has been an amalgamation of influences from classic rock, early Contemporary Christian, and classical/ jazz influences thanks largely to my parents’ love for music. These all influenced my sound on the piano but it wasn’t till later that I started building up the courage to sing as well—something I always enjoyed but was very timid about.
Upcoming 100: Can you describe your songwriting process? How do you come up with lyrics and melodies?
Kendra Connors: Songwriting has always been a very natural thing to me. I find that enjoyment in life and creation tend to go hand-in-hand. The more I enjoy life, the more this creative part of me wants to well up. And when that creativity starts to well up, I let it run its course. For me songwriting starts at the piano usually. I hear a melody in my head and generally the chords with that. The lyrics come secondarily and are usually harder for me to mine. Every once in a while lyrics coincide with the melody that comes to mind.
Upcoming 100: Which artists have influenced your music the most, and why?
Kendra Connors: The late George Winston is my biggest influence for the piano. I’d spend hours listening to his music and trying to replicate it. There was something about the melodic, soulful way he played that deeply resonated and moved me. Otherwise, some of my main artist/songwriter influences are Kieth Green, Paul McCartney, Chris Martin, Jon Foreman, Imogene Heap, Florence and the Machine, and Bon Iver. I’ve always been attracted to well-rounded musicianship and artistry and I think all of these songwriters have that going for them.
Upcoming 100: How do you balance your creative vision with the expectations of your record label or management team?
Kendra Connors: I have zero expectations from anyone currently as I’m not under a record label or management and greatly appreciate that freedom.
Upcoming 100: Tell us about your favorite song you've created so far and the story behind it.
Kendra Connors: My favorite song that I’ve released is probably ‘Like the Moon’. I am a mom of three boys 4.5 and under and it’s been a journey trying to find where my music and creativity fits in the midst of my roll as a mom. The song ‘Like the Moon’ came to me after watching a YouTube video of Jacob Collier performing his music. As I watched him masterfully play and layer a myriad of instruments in his live performance, the creativity inside of me started to awaken and simultaneously grieve. I grieved the time that I hadn’t been giving to creating and that this big part of me had been dormant for some time. Additionally, as a mom, I didn’t know if I would be able to make music like I used to again. It was in that place of grieving that the melody for ‘Like the Moon’ came to me. I sat down at the piano and started playing and the lyrics “I don’t know how to make music anymore” were the first to come with the chorus melody. Later, as I mulled over what I was conveying in the song, the lyrics “I barely even know me anymore” came in its place and finally, the secondary part to that chorus came with the melody and lyrics, “been waxing and waning just like the moon, and I barely even know me anymore”.
Upcoming 100: How do you handle criticism and negative feedback about your work?
Kendra Connors: To be honest, I know it will come, but this is all so new to me I haven’t had to navigate much criticism. But as with all works of art I know people have different opinions and ideas and I respect that I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
Upcoming 100: What role does live performance play in your career, and how do you prepare for a show?
Kendra Connors: Live performances are yet to come for me. Though I am excited to start playing out more locally in my town, Spokane, WA.
Upcoming 100: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what's the most memorable fan interaction you've had?
Kendra Connors: Most of my fans are friends and family currently. However, I did have a mom of a fan reach out to me and wanted me to play a show for her daughter who has really enjoyed my music. She sent me a video of her daughter whole-heartedly singing along to my song which made me emotional. Even if one person can be touched like that by my music, that’s pretty amazing.
Upcoming 100: How do you handle the pressures of the music industry, and what advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Kendra Connors: With my first song release being last August, I haven’t had lots of experience in the music industry but I have definitely needed discernment in making decisions. I have had some opportunities come up here and there but my biggest values in life are my relationship with God and my family. If anything is going to take me away from those things it’s a no go. So it’s my values that help guide my decisions in navigating the music industry and the pressure I allow or don’t allow in my life. I would encourage anyone to do the same. Making music is awesome, but don’t compromise your beliefs or values for it. Take time to make decisions, especially contractually binding ones.
Upcoming 100: What are your future goals and aspirations as a music artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Kendra Connors: Honestly, at a certain point in my life I decided I wouldn’t strive to accomplish anything. I will work hard, but I never want to become obsessive or possessive about my music. Mostly, I want to enjoy the process and keep music in an open-handed posture as I move forward. If it can bless and inspire people along the way, then that’s a cherry on top for me.
