7pm 8 June at Old School Arts Centre, 5 Stewart St, Raglan
“With a voice that will send delectable shivers down your spine and an ever-evolving
aptitude for composing music, Kendall Elise can undoubtedly look forward to a
long and illustrious career” Ambient Light, December 2018
Kendall Elise released her debut full-length album RED EARTH on May 4.
A deeply introspective album of intricate storytelling brought to life with evocative instrumentation; meaningful
lyricism and a golden voice, RED EARTH officially hails the emergence of one of New Zealand’s most intriguing
songwriters and performers.
Moving effortlessly and seamlessly through a number of styles and genres, from dark country to true country; folk and chilled pop to bluesy rock, Kendall delivers an album packed with mood and personality.
Kendall chose the songs that feature on the album – including first singles already released ‘The Clock Tower’ and ‘Valentine Street’ – because they’re representations of her childhood growing up in Papakura, south Auckland. “Each song is based upon my memories around locations within the district. Most of the songs reflect important moments of my life that moulded who I am today,” she explains.
“The whole album writing process involved a lot of introspection and processing of traumatic experiences, so it comes from a place of healing and catharsis. The songs also hold a lot of relevance to issues that not only I faced growing up, but that continue to be common societal issues today such as poverty, housing insecurity, sexism, sexuality, mental health, and how colonialism has negatively impacted our country.”
It is exactly this eloquent approach to storytelling that’s evident in RED EARTH’s focus track, ‘Kirks Bush’, written
about a section of forest in Papakura with a dark reputation, which the Auckland singer-songwriter recalls from her childhood. “Everyone I knew could recite one story about something terrible that had gone on in there.”
But for Kendall, who used it as a shortcut to school, it became a safe place of reflection. “I would walk through there on my way to and from school each day despite the warnings of my parents. I would love the feeling of tranquillity and peace I would get as I walked further along the path and deeper into the middle of the bush.”
“These days the bush itself has been reclaimed as a community taonga (treasure) and is much safer,” says Kendall, who adds that ‘Kirks Bush’ highlights the inequality that women experience growing up – often being taught to take the long way around as a safety technique – but also metaphorically, as a way to prepare them for the gender inequality they will experience.
All songs on the record were written by Kendall and recorded at Roundhead Studios (audio engineer – Paddy Hill; produced by Kendall Elise and Alan Meharry; mixed by Scott Seabright and mastered by Chris Chetland from KOG).
The release of RED EARTH will coincide with a number of live performances and a nationwide tour.
26th April – The Tuning Fork – Larkin
Poe support
4th May – Kumeu Live
18th May – Ministry of Folk – Auckland
8th June – Old School Arts Centre, Raglan
9th June – The Hawkins Theatre, Papakura –
12th July – Dunedin (TBC)
13th July – Wanaka – Gin and Raspberry
26th July – The Jam Factory – Tauranga
Kendall is a consummate performer, who (alongside her band) has earned a reputation as mesmerizing live act, not-to-be-missed! This year alone she has played a string of gigs and opened for Gin Wigmore on her recent New Zealand Tour. In April she will support American roots, rock band Larkin Poe in Auckland.
“There are some artists, who when they sing, you feel like you are in a deep and meaningful conversation with them. On occasion, this is what Elise brought to her performances… it was intense, professional and beautiful to bear witness to” Radio 13, February 2019