Red by Lauren Kendall

Style Weekly puts her in the same class as that "branch of folk music that is populated exclusively by female singers whose voices are seductive in an earthy way, who sing about desires that are both dark and haunting, but not necessarily bad," and then goes on to compare her to Tori Amos (December 8, 2004). In addition to her CD release party, Kendall just returned from playing the Eastern International Pagan Pride Day Festival in Massachusetts in mid-September, and she participated in an outdoor benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in November. Her single "Red on Black" from When was released on the prestigious Oasis Radio Sampler to stations nationwide.

Never before have rich classical sounds been combined with such subtlety and edginess in a way that is accessible and thrilling to contemporary audiences. Kendall's first album showcases her rich, womanly voice in original songs, such as "With the Dark of the Night" and "Song in Dreams," the latter of which won her first prize in a talent show judged by Broadway legend Carl Anderson. Red takes it to the next level, with sharp, observant, more intimate lyrics and more intricate, versatile orchestrations. She is already being compared to two great chanteuses of the modern age, Joni Mitchell and Tori Amos, both of whom she honors with unique remakes of some of their songs on when.

Kendall's professional background is as varied as her music. In 2002 and 2003, she fronted a classic rock cover band. Then, she had a short stint with the power folk band Revel Moon, where she played cello, flute, keys, and performed back-up vocals. While taking classical voice lessons in college under the instruction of Carol Gutknecht, she performed numerous arias, such as "Habanera" from Carmen, "Non so piu cosa son, cosa faccio," from Le Nozze di Figaro, and numerous German lieder by Schumann and Schubert.

Kendall showed an affinity for anything musical at an early age. A lot of her performance experience comes from being involved in theatre. Through the years, she has been in a wide range of plays and musicals. Her credits include plays like Cabaret, A Slice of Saturday Night (in England), Beautiful Thing (Leah), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oklahoma (Ado Annie), and Gypsy! (Tessie Tura), to name a few. Her first major role: Birgitte from The Sound of Music when she was 11 years old. She has helped arrange and write music for A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest with the Encore Theatre Company in Richmond, VA.

Kendall can most often be found performing up and down the Eastern seaboard. You can check for her latest performances and contact her about bookings at www.holycackle.com, or at holy_cacklemusic@hotmail.com

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