Chicago, IL, born / Long Beach, CA, based singer-songwriter KendyX grew up - ages 3 to 18 - a high-level gymnast with lifelong dreams and aspirations of ultimately becoming a future Olympian. Unfortunately, an injury permanently ended her professional gymnastics career, however, a calling in music - her other love - would soon blossom as KendyX continues to flourish.
Let’s hop right into this single / video, ‘Planet X’ — Tell me about this particular track; how did it actually come to fruition?
I got with my dad, and this was when we first started creating music together. He came in with this fire mix that sounded like we were flying through space and at that moment he was like, “yeah, Planet X - Kendy X,” we then rolled with the idea and started talking about what ‘Planet X’ means, and making a new world that people can sonically escape to.
How then does ‘Planet X’ either differ and / or compare to previous KendyX entries?
I think ‘Planet X’ is more free, I’m no longer worried about being bound to a certain genre. My old music had more of an R&B feel, which I still embody but I think I’m more free, open, and I’m being more vulnerable. It's also a more honest version of Kendy.
As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw inspiration from?
I get inspiration from everywhere. My personal life, situations I’ve been through, situations my friends have gone through. I’m a lover so I love to communicate, talk to people, and listen to their stories.
Now this is your first release back after taking a brief musical hiatus, so care to share as to why you opted to step away for a spell?
I had to take a step away from everything and everyone, and that included work. I wanted to take a minute to figure out who I am, what's important to me, and what I want people to see when they look at me and hear my music. I wanted to gather my thoughts and go through the process in a more ‘incognito’ way, instead of being out there and confusing people with different sounds and looks. I just wanted to get it together. Now I feel like I have it together, so I’m ready to go.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music -- When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for KendyX?
Music has always been a thing for me. I’ve been influenced by my family for so long. My dad's a musician and my sister is a singer so I’ve always had it in my life, and I’ve always loved to sing. I remember being younger and my sister would make me harmonize with her, and I’d catch her and her friends making music and would join in to be third harmony. I’ve always been interested since I was little, but my serious passion for it started when I entered college and transformed my life out of gymnastics. I had to find another thing to fulfill that passion, and I found out I was just as passionate about music as I was about gymnastics.
You’re a native of Chicago, Il, correct? So growing up in the ‘Windy City,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
That's hard, ‘cause right now I’m trying to tap into sounds that are different from what I’m normally used to. More recently I’ve been into Adam Levine, Queen, and rock bands from the ‘70’s like Journey are now really inspiring to me. If you asked me this a year ago my answer would have probably been Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, etcetera. It is a little all over the place but I take inspiration away from everyone. Even new artists who make music that’s completely different from mine. I get inspiration from everyone.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
It's a fusion of different genres with an R&B feel. Every song is going to be a little different. It’s hard to classify my sound into one, and that's become one of the most exciting / fun aspects for me.
Where does your moniker originally derive from?
Kendy is a name that I’ve had since I was a kid, and the X originally came from “XO” ‘cause I’m such a lover. The X felt like enough, but it was intended to stand for hugs and kisses from Kendy.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
It depends on the song but it's a lot of different things. Sometimes I want people to hear the real, I want to be the voice that can speak on real things that are going on, and open people's eyes. I want to make music that people can relate to, sit to and feel happiness, feel sadness, and make songs that don’t make them feel so alone in this world. That's the biggest thing for me.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Michael Jackson. He’s a genius, his voice was an instrument and he used it in ways I can’t even imagine. I study him to get a better understanding. He’s a legend, so I would’ve loved to work with him.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Staples Center / Crypto Arena for sure.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of music?
Yes and No. I feel like it was lost for a long time, and now people follow trends. I wish people didn’t follow the trends as much, and made their own music / sound. If they did we would have more great music around right now. I think people are just now stepping into a space of doing what they want which excites me. Certain artists like Sabrina Carpenter, and some other younger artists are doing what they want to do which I really appreciate.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
The mental health aspect, when I’m good with my mental health is when I’m making my best music. Some inspiration and good music can come from going through hard times for sure, but it's also about me continuing to do what I want in the music room. Not putting pressure on following a certain sound, a trend, etcetera. I want to do what I want and make the music that I want all the time.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Yes, I’m currently in school getting my degree in Children’s Psychology. I want to try and change as much of the world as I can, starting with the kids first.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Touring for sure. I love performing so being on the road and doing it at a certain level with Seddy Hendrix, and Kalan. It was an eye-opener for me. It reassured me that I can, for sure, do this for the rest of my life.
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