The Sunday Music Drop is a weekly radio series hosted by the KQED weekend news team. In each segment, we feature a song from a local musician or band with an upcoming show and hear about what inspires their music.
Madeline Kenney had a distinct image in mind when creating her fifth record Kiss From the Balcony.
“I had a vision when I was putting this album together,” said the Oakland-based artist. “This Joan of Arc archetype of a valiant female soldier, but in combination with roller skating and being fun and ditzy.”
Sonically as well, Kenney is drawn to exploring these kinds of thoughtful, playful contrasts. Kenney, who cites Arthur Russell and Jenny Hval as inspirations, stretches a pop music sensibility into the avant garde and art rock realms.
And on Kiss From the Balcony, she decided to try out something extra new. Enlisting the help of long-distance friends Stephen Patota and Ben Sloan, the album is Kenney’s most collaborative project thus far.
