Emerging from Sacramento, CA, Kendra Dantes is an anthemic singer- songwriter with a penchant for cinematic pop. Her lustrous vocals, weaved together with the disquiet of the teenage feels, displays a maturity you wouldn't expect to find from an artist still in adolescence.
A multi-instrumentalist, her quiet confidence compliments her expressive style, with wistful guitar, lush piano & thoughtful lyrics. Kendra’s songwriting is largely inspired by the stories she reads in her bedroom, creating a space for her imagination to be put on paper.
Usually, a great debut single immediately draws you in. With Kendra, her single, “Never Forgot” breaks the ice with eerie, minimal piano, weaved through subdued, shimmering vocals. Its moody tension creates a landscape for the lyrics to dance on, captivating the listeners through a haunting, cinematic atmosphere. Largely inspired by the book series “Six of Crows,” Kendra has a way of taking the reader out of the pages and transporting them into a soundtrack. Successful in her own right, she has amassed close to 700,000 views on YouTube and developed a loyal internet fan base through her original songs.
A self described “happy girl”, who writes “dark, sad, songs,” Kendra has proven that she can create a sort-of Fandom for every reader who has grown strong attachments to characters and stories. Just as the author crafts their novel, Kendra provokes the listener in unanticipated ways to bring the emotional experience of the book to life through song.
“I think it’s easy to relate life to the complexities of the characters in books, I find myself experiencing their wide range of emotions just in my own day to day. While the songs I write are largely inspired by these stories, I also get to put in my own experiences, which is why I feel many people can relate to them.” Kendra's passion for music goes back to her roots. Her mom was taking piano lessons when Kendra gained interest in the instrument. Not able to afford lessons for both herself and Kendra, she happily handed over the piano and watched Kendra dive into the musical world.
Today, Kendra is well on her way to forging her own path in the music industry. She's found what works for her, a hard feat especially for someone her age. With a slew of singles to be released this year, Kendra will be creating a cohesive piece of work tied to the Six of Crows series.
"Never Forgot" drops August 28th!
Written by Myra Gleason
Inspiration is everywhere! I've been wildly inspired by the people I love, as well as the trials and the triumphs of life. I'm also an avid book reader. Chances are, I'll soon be writing a song about your favorite book!
Live music opportunities are limited right now, but thanks to the creativity of local venues like The Fig Tree, I'm still able to perform from time to time! I enjoy getting to play live music inbetween writing songs and recording.
Songwriting is where my heart is. When it comes to my passions, there is very little that surpasses writing music. If things go as planned, I'd love to master the art of songwriting for TV & movies!
Leigh Bardugo is a true master writer. This amazing series is set in the same world at her "Grisha Trilogy". I got to meet Leigh Bardugo in person on her book tour last year, an incredible, yet surreal experience! Her books have inspired me to write a half dozen songs, 2 of which are currently being fully produced. Can't wait to share them with you!
Sarah J. Mass is Queen of everything! She writes fantasy stories that make the unreal feel quite real indeed. I got to see her speak on her book tour last year. She is funny, intelligent, creative and enchanting. Her books have inspired me to write a handful of songs that I hold near and dear to my heart. Acoustic versions currently available on Youtube.
When it comes to the "LIFEL1K3" series, where do I begin? New York Best selling auntor Jay Kristoff is insanely talented. (Don't even get me started on his "Nevernight" series or the "Aurora Burning" series co-written with Amie Kaufman). His books forever linger in my heart & mind and have so far inspired me to write: Superhuman, SuperNova & When the Storm Comes.