Kendall Payne: Young Musical Ingenue by David Chiu

Don't be fooled by Kendall Payne's age. Sure she may only be 20 years old, but she sure acts and sings like a professional when it comes to music. With a powerful voice and a mature grown-up outlook, Payne sings about life's trials and tribulations and the journeys that every human being takes. If there are those tired of today's younger acts that seemed to project style without substance, Kendall Payne is a refreshing alternative.

Last year, Payne (then 19) released her Capitol Records debut Jordan's Sister, a collection of uplifting and poignant melodic folkish pop. From the dramatic, catchy and uptempo "Closer to Myself" through the aching "Honest" to the devastating closer "Fatherless at 14," Payne runs the gamut of human emotions on the record. Her soaring yet natural voice blends both charisma and sensitivity while the song arrangements are down to earth and intricate.

The singer from Malibu, California has gotten tremendous critical acclaim and noteworthy mentions. Jon Pareles of the New York Times has called her a "one woman Lilith Fair," in which she has performed. Payne has been touring to promote the album and her music, including playing and speaking to students in several high schools as part of Earthjam. Her music has also gotten some exposure thanks to its inclusion on television shows such as Felicity, one World, and Popular, whose theme song is Payne's "Supermodels." Most recently, Payne was part of The Girls Room tour, a Capitol-sponsored showcase of its female singer/songwriters including Tara MacLean, Amy Correia, and Shannon McNally. It gave audiences a chance to hear real music after the demise of Lilith and an opportunity to hear the real Kendall Payne deliver an entertaining and affecting show onstage.

The very articulate and engaging Kendall Payne spoke about her music, her influences, and her feelings of her own success.

It has been a year since the release of Jordan's Sister. Has your life changed and if so, how? What have you learned so far in your career?

This has been one of the most amazing and excruciating painful year of my few since I've been walking on this planet. I have learned lessons in faith in maintaining that against all odds, and letting some dreams die that maybe aren't the right dreams to have. While a year ago, I could have sat here on the phone and told you it's not about the number of records I sold-it's about the people who bought them. If it has touched their livesthen I accomplished my goal. I meant that last yearand it still is about the little girl who wrote me a note last night who said you don't know what your music has done to me. It was one of those things that pulled me through, so thank you. It made my eyes tear up and I thought, "This is what it's about."

The album has gotten many accolades from fans and the press-how do you react to such praise?

It sometimes bewilders me. At the same time, it's very nice to feel that someone at least appreciates what you're doing. It was a co-dream with the producer if the record Ron Aniello. He really gave [the songs] beautiful dresses to wear, if that makes sense. I share that critical acclaim [with him].

How does it feel that your songs are heard not only through performing but also on television? And if I am not mistaken, you appeared in the television show One World?

TV has been phenomenal and supporting. [The producers] sent me the pilot for it and they said, "Okay, it's kind of like Saved by the Bell." It's really a teeny-bopped show. I kid you not, everybody and their mothers had seen me on that TV show.

Any possibility of becoming an actress yourself?

It depends on what day. Sometimes I'm like yeah, that would be fun. Today, no. [Music] seems hard enough. You have to consider whether or not you like endeavor in anything else because it takes it out of you sometimes. Not right now, but maybe.

How would you describe your sound if someone did not know who you were?

The best description I give to an average person is It is the female rock pop acoustic thing. It kind of is in the vein of the singer/songwriter. I play acoustic guitar. I write my own stuff. I love to do it, so hopefully there's a passion that comes across.

Does songwriting comes naturally for you or from a long period of soul searching? What inspires you to write songs?

My favorite songs are the ones that something is emotionally just stirring in me, either in that moment or after taking a few breaths, weeks or months. Songwriting comes naturally when it comes, and that's the challenge to honor it when it comes -being willing to out and be its slave in a sense. That's the songs that move, not the sweet sticky stuff, but the raw honest stuff.

Who was your biggest musical inspiration?

Growing up there was mainly a local artist named Kate Miner, who just rocked my socks off. I got every demo from her and babysat her kids, and learned as much as I could from her. It was a neat time because I could see my mentor every single day. I could go over to her house and talk to her. I probably learned just as much about what not to do as what to do in circumstances. So I'm grateful for everything she taught me.

What was your earliest exposure to music?

That's a tough one because I have no clue. When I was young, I loved Broadway particularly Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. . [Broadway] started something in me. I do credit that for igniting that spark. I thought, Well, I'll be up on stage and perform because I knew I love being front of people and because I love singing. When I saw her, this marriage between songwriting and performing came together

So how did you get involved in the Girls Room? Do you know or have you performed with any of the artists on the tour? What makes this tour different or similar to Lilith Fair?

I think that's a lot of common threads and a lot of different threads. One of my fears that people will think we are trying to recreate Lilith Fair or be the next Lilith Fair, which in no way what we're doing. It's similar because it's the all-female and we are donating money to charity. We have done three dates so far. I have had the chance to be on the road with Tara [Maclean] and Amy [Correia] in the last year and they are so wonderful. They are the sweetest girls and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. As the tour progresses, we'll be doing different walk-ons because as we become friends, we become familiar with each other's music. It's been neat so far.

Have you written any new material since Jordan's Sister?

We just got an album's worth of stuff. We'll keep doing this album for another year. I've come to peace that I'm a slow songwriter but when it finally comes out, it means something to me. It might have taken some time, but it bursts with intense love and heartache and real, real life.

What do you want people to come away with when they hear your music or see you play live?

I would hope to give hope. It's been something that I always wanted to be with people. I'm 20 years old and I'm pursuing my dream. I'm doing what I love doing since I was breathing air. I come from a really good family. Bu there is a lot of young people now who don't come from any family, who don't even know their parents. I wanted to be someone they can look to and say, "You know, even if you haven't been in my shoes, [your music] was something that inspired me to keep going." That's what I want people to walk away with.

What has been the biggest highlight for you so far in your career?

It's sounds cliched but every time I step up on that stage and get to do it again, that's kind of the most wonderful moment. There has been so many of them. You don't ever forget them, but at the same time, they don't come running back to your memory. It's all those things that you look back and you go "I can't stop doing this, I love this job. I don't want to ever stop."

What are your future plans and goals?

It's being redefined every day and every year. I think I like to be around for a while and give it another ten years of my life, and see where I am when I'm 30.