Kat Harlton
Canadian country artist Kendra Kay recently released her new single “Steady“. The release follows a stellar year for Kendra, including signing on with worldwide with Sakamoto Agency. With her love of performing and trademark high energy shows, she has played major events including the CFL Banjo Bowl Halftime show at Investor’s Group Stadium, joined Tim Hicks on his ‘Get Loud’ Tour and performed with country music icon Patricia Conroy. This has also included festivals such as CCMA Country Music Week, Canadian Music Week, Boots & Hearts Pre-Party, Sunfest Country Music Festival and Dauphin’s CountryFest Mainstage. Along with this, she has opened for artists like Gord Bamford, James Barker Band, Jess Moskaluke and Doc Walker.
We had the opportunity to chat with Kendra and talk about her new single, what she’s learned along the way, and how she’s staying connected during Covid-19.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your latest single “Steady”?
Kendra: Steady is all about having someone in your life who is your rock – The person that is always there to catch you when you fall and to keep you strong no matter the circumstances. For me, I have a very support group of people around me, they truly are my rocks that keep me “steady” in this “crazy world” and this song tells the story of them.
Kat: “Steady” ws written by a stellar group of female songwriters including Madeline Merlo (NBC Songland), Victoria Banks (Jessica Simpson, Sara Evans) and Karen Kosowski (Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks), with Kosowski also taking the reins on production duties. Can you talk about the process and what it was like working with them?
Kendra: I feel so lucky to have such a strong line up of females on the credits of this song. It’s not that often you hear of a song from start (writers) to finish (vocals, production & mixing) with an all female team. I look up to all these ladies in the music industry and admire what they are doing for their own careers and being able to have their support in mine makes me feel pretty blessed.
Kat: How do you feel your songwriting and sound has changed over the past few years?
Kendra: It definitely has shown the growth I have had as an artist. When I first started writing and recording music, I was only 16 years old – I didn’t really Know what I wanted to say or how I wanted to say it in my music but “growing up” in the industry and now being 23, I have been able to find who I am, not only as an artist, but as a person. I have been able to blend my traditional roots with the modern country that has given me my own unique sound.
Kat: You’ve signed with the Sakamoto Agency, and won the 2019 MCMA Female Artist of the Year, along with earning the MCMA Fan’s Choice Award for the second year in a row. You’ve also amassed half a million streams, 17 weeks in the Top 100 Canada Country Airplay and earned a Top Ten spot in the 2020 CBC Searchlight competition. What does all this mean to you, what have you learned along the way?
Kendra: It means the absolute world to me. These past couple years have been a whirl wind of a ride and I’m grateful to be on this journey. This industry is hard work, someone once told me that it’s “80% business and 20% music” which I definitely believe. But I’ve learned that if you create a team of the right people, work hard and do what makes you happy, you can never go wrong. For me, at the end of the day, if I’m able to make music that I’m proud of, play shows, be on the road seeing new places and meeting new fans all while doing it with people that you genuinely enjoy working with, I’m living the dream and it’s makes the “hard work” not seem so hard.
Kat: Obviously things have changed due to COVID-19. In the interim how are you connecting with your fans? What’s next?
Kendra: I’m just doing my best to connect with people from home over social media. It’s going to be a weird summer not being out on the road as this year was originally going to be very busy. But out here on the prairies, we are starting to see things open up and as they do I hope to get together with my band and do some type of show for fans virtually if need be! In the mean time I’ll be pushing my new single Steady as it gears up to head to country radio!
For more on Kendra Kay visit: http://www.kendrakaymusic.com