Canadian country artist Kendra Kay had quite the year in 2019! And despite the pandemic, 2020 is shaping up to be pretty impressive for Kendra too!
Kendra’s latest single “Steady” is a fantastic song that perfectly showcases her talent and features the catchiest hook. The song starts with a soft melody and kicks into high gear by the time the chorus comes around.
About the song, Kendra says “When times get tough, especially these days with everyone staying home and our incredible frontline workers keeping everyone safe, along with the sacrifices their families have made, the message of this song is more important than ever.” Kendra continues, “there are days when I feel like falling apart, and I am so grateful to have an incredibly supportive family and team of people around me that are my rocks and keep me strong and pushing forward.”
This song is a standout for Kendra. It will definitely help solidify her space in the fabric of Canadian country music.
2019 was one hell of a year for Kendra Kay. She signed with Sakamoto Agency, 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.
Along the way, she has 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.
We had the chance to connect with Kendra. We talked about everything from her new music, time in quarantine, and what’s next for her. Check out the full interview below, but first, be sure to take a listen to her new single “Steady”.
Stream “Steady” On Spotify and Apple Music
Interview With Kendra Kay
Front Porch Music: Kendra, we’re so happy to have you back on the Front Porch – Welcome back! Too bad it’s not in different circumstances – how are you holding up throughout this pandemic?
I have been doing well. As I am sure most of the music industry is, I am missing being able to go out and play shows. This summer was going to be one of my busiest summers yet. But sometimes things are just out of our control! So, we will still be here ready to rock when things are safe to do so!
Front Porch Music: You’re coming off an incredible year in 2019. 2019 included: signing with Sakamoto Agency, winning 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. Does seeing this list feel surreal, what’s this year been like for you?
Things have been crazy (in a good way!). I often don’t think about how far I have come over the years because I always try to look to where I am headed next but to stop and think about the things I have done and accomplished does truly feel surreal to me.
Music is fun for me, I have never had an “end point” or a “I’m going to keep working until I get to this point” in mind. If I can keep playing shows, making music, connecting with people and keep making fans all while moving forward, then I’m living the dream in my mind.
Front Porch Music: Your latest single “Steady” is amazing! It’s so catchy, and has a really strong message, and it was written by some heavy-hitting female artists. What was it about this song that connected with you?
Kendra Kay: Steady is all about having that person (or people) in your life who can pick you up when you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, they see you for who you are and love you for it and are someone you can count on to be your rock in troubled times.
For me, I am lucky to have the support system that I have. My family and my team of people I have around me are my rocks. They are the support system that I need in this “crazy world” and I am blessed that they can keep me Steady no matter the circumstances.
Front Porch Music: The music video for “Steady” is here and it looked like a ton of fun to make. Watching it, it’s nice to see a music video released that’s not just a glorified Zoom conference ha! Tell us about the creative process of creating this music video.
Kendra Kay: We really wanted to be able to portray me and who I am as an artist in this video. I stick close to my country roots but in my music, you can feel that modern flair. The whole idea behind this video was to tell the story and give it a modern country feel.
Front Porch Music: Over the past couple of years, there has been more pressure for gender parity and better representation on radio stations, music festivals, and the country industry as a whole. What are your thoughts here and what do you think needs to be done to increase representation in the country industry?
Kendra Kay: I feel I have started to see a shift in the way females are represented and it makes me proud. Although we maybe aren’t there yet. I feel if us female artists can keep putting out strong music to radio, keep putting on killer live performances and keep making waves in the industry that that is what we need to keep doing to increase the representation.
Front Porch Music: Right now, we’re all stuck at home trying to do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. What are you doing to pass the time while practicing social distancing?
Kendra Kay: Out where I live on the prairies, we are lucky to be pretty isolated as is. I have been enjoying all the extra time at home on the ranch riding my horses, checking cows and helping around the farm as much as I can! I also have been doing a bunch of video chat co-writes!
It’s great that we live in a world where you can still connect with people without having to be in a room with them. So I am glad to still be creating new music from the comfort of my own home!
Front Porch Music: Thanks so much, and congrats again on the release of “Steady”. We can’t wait to hear what’s next for you!
Watch Kendra Kay’s Music Video For “Steady”
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
