Kenna's Masterful Genre Mash Up

Kenna is a unique artist because his music defies labels and typical music stereotypes or requirements. A blend of hip hop beats, synth, electronica, and alternative rock, his two albums, New Sacred Cow and Make Sure They See My Face have gained him a devout following. He has had to deal with numerous delays, inner politics, and record label problems throughout his career, as well as trying to find a place in the mainstream music scene and with radio airplay. He has gained an underground image and respect from others in the industry with his catchy music and the help of producers and close friends, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. Kenna's smooth vocal work is unlike any I've heard recently and it just fits. His music spans the spectrum that feels natural rather than lost or confused.


Kenna Zemedkun was born in Ethiopia but soon moved to the US not long after. His image and perception of music was largely changed by U2's Joshua Tree, resulting in him learning to play the piano, study classic singers like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, and listening to bands like Duran Duran and The Cure. He didn't initially think of stepping into the music scene until college, where he joined with high-school friend Chad Hugo to work on demo tapes and his debut. His influences can be heard throughout his music, creating a unique blend of genres and styles with that Neptunes touch. He was initially signed to Interscope under Fred Durst's subsidiary, Flawless. But after having problems securing backing from Interscope as well as questions about promotion and marketing, he was eventually released. However, he soon found a new home with Columbia where he finally released his 2003 debut album, New Sacred Cow.

Before the album's release, the first single "Hellbent" was released much earlier and caught many people's attention. A melancholy tune that featured Kenna's emotional vocals along peaceful synth work and amazing bass beats, the combination with the music video is what caught my attention. A claymation animated video featuring a creature trapped in a gray, drab world, Kenna already seemed different. But after all of the delays and almost dropping off my radar, I discovered New Sacred Cow. The album really does span a variety of styles and moods, not only restricted to the moodier and mellow sound of "Hellbent". Follow-up single "Sunday After You" is a little more up-tempo with some good beats and guitar work and sampling. Telling about a failing relationship, he discusses how perception is altered and how quickly things change. "Red Man" is a fun song that has nice guitar work backed behind some solid drum beats. But New Sacred Cow isn't all rock and beat work. "Yeneh Ababa (Rose)" is a nice ballad set with mostly just a piano and a little horn work. A very bittersweet song comparing life as a rose with thorns, fallen petals, and the one left behind, he can take things in so many different directions. The title track is an upbeat song that discusses religion in a very interesting light. His debut effort showed the many colors he wears and how well they all fit together.

The 2007 release of Make Sure They See My Face wasn't without its own share of delays and problems. After low sales of New Sacred Cow had him searching for a new record label, he ended up back with Interscope. While his first album was only co-produced by Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams joins the production team on a couple tracks. Overall, the album has a much more upbeat, polished, and feel-good vibe to it rather than the more mellow atmosphere of the first record. Inspired by his attempted climb to Mount Kilimanjaro, the album has a more guided direction and fits better in the current music space. This doesn't take away from the variety and style at all, and kind of shows off the different sides of Kenna. "Say Goodbye to Love" brings an old-school feeling, exhibiting Kenna's vocal range. "Baptized in Blacklight" has a largeness to it, with solid drums, a bass line, and some interesting synth lines making its way in. Justin Timberlake makes his way into one of the tracks with some background vocals in "Phantom Always". The song has a nice groove and harkens back to some of the more mellow work of New Sacred Cow with the new spin of Make Sure They See My Face. The song talks about a guardian, or phantom that is always watching over him. While he seemed to be searching for his place in the first record, the second feels like he's starting to find that spot.

Kenna has so much talent that's only better with the production work of The Neptunes. He's also shared his skill with other musicians, working with Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda in his hip hop project, Fort Minor and producing tracks for Ashlee Simpson. New Sacred Cow and Make Sure They See My Face show a nice progression despite long delays and other problems he has had to deal with. While his second album is a little more modern and relevant by today's standards, his first album is one of my favorites. Regardless, check out his music and see what he has to offer.

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Echostream Blazes A Trail Of Atmospheric Duality

From left to right: CJ (elec. drums), Tony (keyboard), Ryoko (vocals), Tomo (guitar), and Jen (drums).

From the very first listen, you could hear the difference. A mash-up of nationalities and musical genres, they exceed the labels or expectations that is usually placed upon them. Over the course of their two independently released albums, Identity and The Duality of Courage, you can hear how they have evolved and created this landscape of musical art. Described as a mixture of Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, and Björk, they not only share similar musical stylings but the same attitude and forward-thinking musical vision. Originating in Japan but starting and continuing their music career in the US, Echostream is a group full of passion and remains independent in every sense of the word.

The group began with Tony and Ryoko, who met earlier at the Royal Academy of Music in London. When Ryoko moved back to Japan, Tony soon followed her after striking a record deal. While developing their sound and trying to find their audience, they added Tomo to expand their music. But due to the rigid structure of the Japanese music scene and the lack of a very big underground movement, they had difficulty adapting. In an industry dominated by Japanese pop, it was hard for them to find people with like-minded interests in music like Nine Inch Nails. Seeking more musical freedom where they could exercise their creativity, they went back to the US with a new, fresh start in New York. Forming their own independent label, Force of Change Records, they placed their focus on the underground music scene and artists below the mainstream radar. And with Echostream growing to five members, they started work on their first album, Identity.


Like many bands, most of the music on their 2005 debut, Identity came from the original duo of Tony and Ryoko. Taking influences from inspirations such as the previously mentioned Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, their sound has this ethereal, yet rock-minded feel. Ryoko's vocals has this emotional quality that fits the album's electronic rock attitude. Her English, while not always very clear, is sung with emotion that fits a range of moods. Echostream isn't like other female-fronted groups, showing this different quality and representing various duality themes. At times, Identity is very mellow and peaceful. The album embraces it's electronic stylings, displaying a gentler side with an edge. Tracks like "Dali Thought" and "Melt" soar with Ryoko's airy voice and moody subject matter. Echostream shows off their harder side with opening track, "Just Kill Me". And songs like "Repeater" and "Fall Down" show off production work that wouldn't be out of place in a NIN record. They even do a good cover of Radiohead's "Creep", which they make sound uniquely their own. While not completely rock, Identity displays a nice range of emotions and moods that go well with the electronic vibe.

Taking pride in touring and doing live shows, they have spent a lot of time doing gigs across America. Trying to avoid the typical pitfalls and conformities of the industry, they have embraced the more human aspect and give to charities. And while some artists prefer not to print their lyrics in the album booklets, Echostream wants listeners to sing along and feel the meaning in each track. And with a desire to show off their rock side and avoid being pigeonholed as a "chill out band" they released their 2008 follow-up, The Duality of Courage. Other band members get a much bigger spotlight, with tracks like "Contagious" and "Rip You Down" featuring Tomo's driving, crunchy guitar riffs and a solid drum line. Their first single, "Dragon" shows a nice mix of their first album's more mellow side and their new, edgier sound. They blend their electronic roots and a harder rock theme to make an album that definitely has teeth. They don't completely abandon their mellow sound, with "Hole" encompassing that soft, urban feel with a strong piano melody and nice guitar effects. The Duality of Courage is a nice complement to Identity, almost feeling like two sides of a coin.

Echostream has the ideals and attitudes that should be more prevalent in the industry. They are purely about the music, viewing it more as art rather than as a means for fame or popularity. They are different from typical musical fare, embracing various styles and themes while showing their roots and where they came from. With various gigs and anime conventions scheduled on their tour route this year, they should be putting on a great live show.

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