Rider Essentials: Kendra Kay

Canadian award-winning recording artist, Kendra Kay is known for her powerhouse vocals, down to earth personality, and high energy shows. Although she has released two EPs Broken (2014) and More To Me (2018) – which have amassed over half a million streams – she makes her debut radio release in the Australian market with her latest single Steady. Written by a stellar group of songwriters and produced by Karen Kosowski, Steady is about having someone in your life who is your rock who is always there to catch you when you fall and to keep you strong no matter the circumstances.

To get to know Kendra Kay a little better, we’ve asked her to tell us five things she always takes on the road for this week’s Rider Essentials.

1. Cowboy boots

I live a true country life on the farm so, while I am at home, I live in blue jeans and cowboy boots. With that, I have always tried to keep myself “authentic” to who I am so I have NEVER played a show without a pair of cowboy boots on. They have become, like, a part of my live show.

2. David’s tea: Cold 911

Being from the Canadian Prairies, I drink my fair share of warm drinks in our frigid winters. One of my favourite Canadian Tea Companies, DAVIDsTEA makes a steep called 'Cold 911', and I drink a cup before almost every show. The peppermint and eucalyptus is perfect to soothe my throat and open my air waves before getting on stage.

3. Headphones

While I’m getting ready for a show, I like to put my headphones in and turn on a playlist of some of my most favourite country tunes from some of my favourite artists like Dolly Parton, Jo Dee Messina and Carrie Underwood with a mix of my own original music from my newer music like How it’s Done and Steady-to-songs off my last EP like Buy You a Drink and Fuel on the Fire to get into my “zone” to be show ready. This is a great way to keep my head on the music.

4. My microphone

Since purchasing my own Sennheiser mic for my shows, I prefer to always use it rather than the house mics. As a singer, my voice is like my instrument so using my own mic is like a guitarist playing using their own guitar. It definitely has its own touch and fits me like an old glove!

5. Healthy snacks

When being on the road all the time, it's hard to always have healthy options to eat. And, for me, eating out all the time does not fuel my body good enough to put the energy into my show. So I always make sure I pack some of my favourite fruits, veggies and protein bars to have on the go to keep me on the top of my game!

Keep up to date with Kendra Kay on her Facebook page here.

For more of our Rider Essentials series, go here.

Image: Supplied