KennyHoopla Found His Sound

What’s up? How’s getting ready for the tour going?

I’m in Wisconsin right now, packing. I’m flying out to New York for rehearsals on Wednesday.

Walk me through the pre-tour process? How do you decide what you want your live show to look like?

I’ve gone through so many different processes and chapters. When I first started, it was just me and my friend and he would just DJ the tracks. My music was all over the place, so then, as I got into pop-punk stuff, they stopped liking that style of live performances. I also wanted to be taken more seriously. So, I made sure I could afford a band, which started out as just a drummer. But then I got a full band. Now that I’ve transitioned out of pop-punk, I’m trying to go back to making music that I’ve always loved, which is indie rock, dance rock, and electronic. I’m trying to blend all of that and include those synths and gadgets on stage. I’m going to be playing guitar. I’m trying to push my musicianship in every way for this tour. I’m bringing out all the big guns.

I love that. What has been the response to your new sound? How do fans like conditions of an orphan//?

A lot of people appreciate it and like it. I feel more at peace than ever. I went through so much and did a lot of fighting for myself during my career. I didn’t get to relish in what was happening or appreciate things. I’m at a point where I can finally let these things that I’ve protected — songs, perspectives, ideas — that I didn’t want to do before, run free. I feel like I’m being perceived the way I want to for the first time. And I know you can’t control that, but it was hard to navigate. I’m a solo artist now. I don’t have bandmates or collaborators to rely on. I feel more free than I ever have as an artist. This is as close to a sound that I love that I’ve ever made, and I think people appreciate that.

Being independent now, though, I see the difference. I’m not reaching everyone the way I was when I was on a major label. For everything that it’s worth, it’s going really well though. I think people are happy that I’m back and are happy that I’m being authentic.

I feel like I’m being perceived the way I want to for the first time.

That’s such a common theme with artists. When they go solo, it gives them unique vantage points, which makes for good decision-making. Could you tell me about the writing process for the EP?

Tell me about some of those specific influences. Who were they?

Everyone from Phoenix to Passion Pit to LCD Soundsystem. It feels embarrassing, but it’s that indie sleaze sound that’s made such a comeback. But when I was writing this, that trend hadn’t returned. Producers didn’t want to help on this. It made me want to give up and pivot. But I stuck with that music because I love it. So I wanted to be super obvious with those influences. It needed to be very clear if I wanted to be put in the place in culture that I do.

How does hometown and location play into your writing process? You’ve moved around a bit but Wisconsin is home again. How does that show up in your music?

I’ve been very hellbent on making music in the Midwest, in Wisconsin. This is where I grew up and the people that I want to speak to are here. There’s something just as special about a small town as New York or LA. It’s just not as shined on. I’m one of those people who grew up in a small town, go to the skate park and I’d see a kid wearing a Crystal Castles hoodie. I’d be like, “Woah, that’s so cool.” There’s lots of people in these small places who those smaller artists and genres really speak to. The Midwest has inspired me the most. I’ve tried to go out to LA and New York, but it’s hard to feel that grit. Sometimes, you get lost in it because there’s so much going on. I like being here, being grounded in real life.

I started this project here. I got a call that Zac Farro from Paramore wanted to work on it with me. I don’t know how to engineer. I can take things to a certain place, but when I went to him, he helped me finish it. We finished “orphan//,” then I met Mike Elizondo and we hit it off really well. He just got it. His studio was awesome. He gave the art the time it needed and he let me get messy. It’s been hard for me to find collaborators like that.

I love that. It’s nice to know you still have faith in collaboration. You just needed the right fit.

Exactly.

Tell me about collaborating with Depop. How does fashion play a role in your artistic identity?

I grew up poor and within that, you get a lot of hand-me-downs. You learn how to make things work. Then it becomes a social thing. I started kicking it with skaters and developed this ability to zoom out and see things from a broader view. I was seeing all the cliques and archetypes through their clothing. These kids wear Columbia and whatnot. Identity became important because I had to work with what I had. I had to figure out who Kenny was in the midst of all of it. I’d get hand me down jeans from my cousins and decide to cuff them. Small details started to interest me.

Music was driving me insane and I wasn’t sure how I could keep doing it. It didn’t feel sustainable.

While you’re packing for tour, what are the must-haves?

A good pair of salvaged denim. My FujiFilm X100V camera, because I like to take photos and have memories. And my headphones.

Yeah, need.

Exactly. And a good hat. That’s my comfort. It used to be a hoodie to hide in but these days it’s a hat. I’m more approachable this way.

Who is a dream collaborator right now? Who are you listening to?

I was just thinking about this. I’d love to collaborate with A.P.C. and do a collection with them. In music, I think Bassvictim would be cool.

I loved their new project.

It was so good. Them, and Kid Cudi. I’d love to work with him. Also Phoenix. I’d love to work with them in any capacity. Those are my three right now.

Those are great answers. Not to take it somewhere dark, but you opened up on social media about considering leaving music. Walk me through that journey and how you’ve come out on the other side. And how do you feel comfortable being so vulnerable with fans?

I think what makes it so easy is because I don’t have a “cool guy” persona to hide behind. I just want to be real.

Well, that is cool.
Thank you. I just want them to know I’m being truthful. I appreciate that in the artists I love. That’s why I love Kid Cudi. He explains things and is human. We need more people being real and showing what’s going on in the background. Music was driving me insane and I wasn’t sure how I could keep doing it. It didn’t feel sustainable. And I wanted to do more things. I want to act one day, I have a skate brand launching next month. I want to do a lot. I want to write songs for other artists. I want to design clothes. It never feels like the right time for those interests because music is so rapid and quick. I was probably just crashing out though.

That’s totally fair. We’re glad you’re still making good music. If you could go visit a past version of yourself and give him some advice, what version are you visiting and what are you telling him?

I would visit my 16-year-old self and tell him to be more selfish. I would be in a better place now and be at more peace if I just worried about myself a bit more.

That’s smart.
Thank you.

Photography: Brittany Young