Q: Hello Kendall, how are you doing?
A: I’m great, thanks.
Q: You recently released your new album, Paper Skin. How would you describe it?
A: Paper Skin is a piano driven, scaled down record. It is probably my most ‘honest’ work to date.
Q: What can you tell us about the creative process? How did Paper Skin take shape?
A: I was given the gift of a keyboard from my husband in April of 2006. I had up until that point been only a guitar player. When I decided to learn piano, it re-inspired my song-writing and a lot of the songs on Paper Skin came to be.
Q: And how does the new album compare to your previous albums, Jordan’s Sister & Grown?
A: I think it is more mellow and contemplative than the other two, but it’s pretty similar to Grown in it’s depth.
Q: There is a lot more piano on Paper Skin than there was on the other two albums. Was this on purpose or did it just happen to work out that way?
A: That was on purpose! Like I said before, learning a new instrument greatly inspired me to write new songs.
Q: How has it been, taking the songs out on the road and playing them live? How’s the response?
A: The response has been amazing, in fact I think all the songs on Paper Skin are even better live than they are on the recording!
Q: What is your favorite song off the new record to play live?
A: Really, all of them!
Q: Who would you say are the biggest influences on your sound and songwriting?
A: Billy Joel, Sarah McLaughlin, Bono, Rich Mullins…. basically great singer-songwriters are my favorite!
Q: If you could collaborate on writing/recording a song, and you could pick anyone, who would you like to collaborate with?
A: Probably Bono, I’m a fan!
Q: And if you could pick one band or musician in the world to tour with, who would you pick, and why?
A: Same!
Q: And let’s say that you could tour anywhere in the world, is there a certain place that you would love to go?
A: Anywhere where the crowds are quiet and the acoustics are sensational!
Q: Have you ever had a really weird or funny experience in your career as a musician?
A: Too many to count! The first time I heard my song on the radio I was in the dressing room of a clothing store, I got so excited I almost ran out of the dressing room with no pants on!
Q: What is the best thing about being a musician and what is the hardest thing?
A: The best thing is connecting on such a deep and real level with people you would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. And the worst thing is riding on planes! (Which is what I’m doing right now!)
Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
A: You can go to www.kendallpayne.com and get all the latest and greatest info!
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: Are you a reader? And if so, what do you read? What authors?
A: I’m a sporadic reader. I did just finish The Kite Runner, which was ridiculously moving and I’d highly recommend it!
Q: Day or night?
A: Night
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: Like em both.
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: Digital (the legal kind though!)
Q: Okay, final question. What are your thoughts on people downloading music, both legally & illegally?
A: Oh how funny! I didn’t read this question before I answered the one right before it! Haha. I think illegal downloading is theft. If anyone wants me to keep writing songs, recording them and playing in live venues, then you can’t illegally download my music, I won’t be able to pay my bills and then I’ll have to quit music and get a job at Starbucks. I hear they have great benefits! :-)
Thank you Kendall, for taking the time to answer my questions. We hope you keep being inspired to inspire us with your music!
A: I’m great, thanks.
Q: You recently released your new album, Paper Skin. How would you describe it?
A: Paper Skin is a piano driven, scaled down record. It is probably my most ‘honest’ work to date.
Q: What can you tell us about the creative process? How did Paper Skin take shape?
A: I was given the gift of a keyboard from my husband in April of 2006. I had up until that point been only a guitar player. When I decided to learn piano, it re-inspired my song-writing and a lot of the songs on Paper Skin came to be.
Q: And how does the new album compare to your previous albums, Jordan’s Sister & Grown?
A: I think it is more mellow and contemplative than the other two, but it’s pretty similar to Grown in it’s depth.
Q: There is a lot more piano on Paper Skin than there was on the other two albums. Was this on purpose or did it just happen to work out that way?
A: That was on purpose! Like I said before, learning a new instrument greatly inspired me to write new songs.
Q: How has it been, taking the songs out on the road and playing them live? How’s the response?
A: The response has been amazing, in fact I think all the songs on Paper Skin are even better live than they are on the recording!
Q: What is your favorite song off the new record to play live?
A: Really, all of them!
Q: Who would you say are the biggest influences on your sound and songwriting?
A: Billy Joel, Sarah McLaughlin, Bono, Rich Mullins…. basically great singer-songwriters are my favorite!
Q: If you could collaborate on writing/recording a song, and you could pick anyone, who would you like to collaborate with?
A: Probably Bono, I’m a fan!
Q: And if you could pick one band or musician in the world to tour with, who would you pick, and why?
A: Same!
Q: And let’s say that you could tour anywhere in the world, is there a certain place that you would love to go?
A: Anywhere where the crowds are quiet and the acoustics are sensational!
Q: Have you ever had a really weird or funny experience in your career as a musician?
A: Too many to count! The first time I heard my song on the radio I was in the dressing room of a clothing store, I got so excited I almost ran out of the dressing room with no pants on!
Q: What is the best thing about being a musician and what is the hardest thing?
A: The best thing is connecting on such a deep and real level with people you would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. And the worst thing is riding on planes! (Which is what I’m doing right now!)
Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
A: You can go to www.kendallpayne.com and get all the latest and greatest info!
Q: Okay a few random questions now.
Q: Are you a reader? And if so, what do you read? What authors?
A: I’m a sporadic reader. I did just finish The Kite Runner, which was ridiculously moving and I’d highly recommend it!
Q: Day or night?
A: Night
Q: Club venue or arena venue?
A: Like em both.
Q: CDs or digital music?
A: Digital (the legal kind though!)
Q: Okay, final question. What are your thoughts on people downloading music, both legally & illegally?
A: Oh how funny! I didn’t read this question before I answered the one right before it! Haha. I think illegal downloading is theft. If anyone wants me to keep writing songs, recording them and playing in live venues, then you can’t illegally download my music, I won’t be able to pay my bills and then I’ll have to quit music and get a job at Starbucks. I hear they have great benefits! :-)
Thank you Kendall, for taking the time to answer my questions. We hope you keep being inspired to inspire us with your music!