Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music "I love it, I think it has a very cinematic, David Holmes-y feel. We do hope to hear more of her in 2014."
Indie Shuffle, 2014 – “Her haunting yet inviting style is incredibly intriguing and endlessly unique. With the original arrangements of instrumentals, the off-kilter sounds work in an oddly obscure approach, which makes for a delightfully refreshing mix of R&B, dark pop soul, and independent musings.”
Possessing one of the best and unforgettable voices internationally right now, Kendra Morris’ new release‘Banshee’, draws upon cinematic elements, soul, blues and seventies funk while showcasing Kendra’s powerhouse vocals. ‘Banshee’ captured the exact moments of Kendra’s feelings following a break up - she stated, “it’s just so much easier to put a feeling to a note”. With this release, Kendra has created something which encompasses old and new, whilst at the same time still managing to display spectacular originality and emotion.
Independent of her album ‘Banshee’, Kendra Morris has always shown a passion for music. Morris grew up imbued with a sense of musicality as Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, Stevie Wonder and Jackson 5 washed over her, they soon became her favourite artists. Such influences can be seen in ‘Banshee’ with track ‘Pow’drawing on jazz influences, ‘Here’ displaying the perfect blend of blues and soul whilst ‘Concrete Waves’ acts as “a metaphor about skateboarding and indulging in that moment where your’e doing something that feels so good but could easily turn on you...” Kendra Morris, 2013.
Morris has built an inimitable reputation as a singer, songwriter and performer following collaborations with producers like Jeremy Page and receiving highly acknowledged prizes following her conscientious effort working on her crafts. She was acknowledged by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011. The institutions also awarded Morris the 2011 Holly Prize, which recognizes excellence in song writing, performing, and musicianship.
In 2012, Morris toured with Motown Funk Brother Dennis Coffey and has received support from American DJ, producer and the other half of hip hop duo Gang Starr, DJ Premier, who remixed her first single ‘Concrete Waves’. It was also exclusively premiered on Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1 show.
With the name ‘Banshee’ being inspired by wailing female demons from Irish folklore, Banshee is an amalgam of stories, both imagined and Morris’ own. “In a way, banshees just cast spells with their voices”, Morris says. Prepare to be spell bound with one of 2014’s hotly anticipated releases and discover Kendra Morris.
LONDON GIGS
London welcomes Kendra on February 26th at Tooting Tram & Social and Servant Jazz Quarters on February 27th
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