Q: The phrase “kissing concrete” immediately paints a vivid picture of falling down and having to get back up. When did that metaphor first come to you, and why did it feel like the perfect title for the song and EP?
A: The metaphor came to me after kind of laughing at how many times I’ve fallen emotionally and gotten back up. Whether it's delusional confidence or following my dreams I wanted to create a fun metaphor about the constant falling and getting back up. “Kissing Concrete” is my love letter to the crashout and the audacity to get back. It felt like the perfect way to sum up what I've been going through in life over the past few years, even though ive taken a few metaphorical falls ive still gotten back up and given a little kiss to the concrete on the way back up.
Q: This project feels incredibly raw without feeling hopeless. How did you approach writing about difficult emotions in a way that still leaves the listeners with a sense of resilience?
A: I have a lot of big feelings and my coping mechanism is to make a joke or laugh it off. It was extremely important for me as an Artist and Songwriter to have these songs feel conversational and how I really talk about these issues. When you deal with anxiety, depression, and chronic illness, it's hard not to feel hopeless which is why it was so important for me to have these songs feel resilient. If one person feels like they're less alone in their turmoil and can laugh with me then ive done my job.
Q: One of the reoccurring ideas throughout the project is getting knocked down but refusing to stay there. Was there a specific experience that was inspired by those themes, or are they more drawn from years of accumulated moments?
A: Over the past few years my anxiety and depression were really dragging me down. For long periods of time I would feel like a zombie and my body was at war with itself. I finally got an Endometriosis diagnosis which blew my mind. Throughout my years of my body and brain feeling out of wack a diagnosis really helped me understand what was going on. So these songs are my diary entry of the past few years and how I'm finally starting to see the other side of the street.
Q: There are moments where you confront anxiety, overstimulation, and self-doubt with surprising bluntness. Did writing these songs feel cathartic, or did revisiting these emotions make the process more difficult?
A: These songs felt SO cathartic to get out of my brain. Honestly performing these songs on tour has been so healing and getting to talk to people that have gone through similar experiences.
Q: Your music doesn’t seem interested in offering neat solutions, it embraces the messiness of healing. Why was it important to you to present the more honest version of recovery?
A: There are no neat solutions in healing, and everyone's journey is totally different. The messiness is part of my healing experience and I've really learned to embrace it because at the end of the day we are all human beings experiencing the chaos of life. My songs are always going to feel very real and honest even if it's poking fun at myself.
Q: Mental health conversations in music have become more common in recent times, but everyone’s experience is unique. What did you want your perspective to add to that conversation?
A: I remember that even a few years ago talking about mental health was taboo and I was always confused by that. As artists it is so important to help people feel less alone and so many people are dealing with mental health issues. I’ll never forget a music industry guy once asked me if my music was gonna “talk about the mental health stuff cause it's trendy?” This is one of the many reasons why I will continue to talk about these topics!
Q: Is there a moment on the EP where you feel listeners finally get to meet the “real” KANNER?
A: Ohhh yess!! You met the “real” KANNER on all of the songs but I'd say you get to see a more sensitive side of me on “Selfish” and “When It’s All Happening!”
Q: Are there any artists, producers, or genres that helped shape the sound of this project?
A: Yes! I got to work with so many incredible women on this project! Paige Blue is one of the most talented producers and also happens to be a Mother on the beat and an actual Mother too! She really understands me sonically and is an incredible teammate! My co-writer and diva queen is the incredible Rena Lovelis was an instrumental part of this EP as well! She was the other side of my brain and helped me get all my thoughts into each song.
Q: Comparing the EP to your earlier releases, where do you feel you’ve grown the most? Not just musically but personally too?
A: I feel like I've really figured out sonically and lyrically what my sound is. Sometimes it just takes kissing the concrete a few times to figure it out :)
Q: How has your definition of success changed since you became an artist?
A: I’m incredibly grateful to have written songs for so many other artists and bands. There’s something so magical about seeing a song I co-wrote played live. As an Artist there’s really nothing more rewarding than singing songs for a crowd of people that relate to what you're going through.
Q: If you could leave a message for someone who's about to hear your music for the very first time, what would you say?
A: Hi! I’m KANNER. Thank you for falling into my little green world! I hope these songs make you feel seen. These songs are best enjoyed screaming in your car with the windows down.
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