We were introduced to the glamorous Kendra Michelle Marquez by way of her 2022 debut single titled “Nicotine.” The single is an exceptional ballad mixed with a despondency taste of affection & desire that will indeed wrap around your soul, delivering a nebulous essence to the record and providing you a distinctive listening experience to her poetic tone. With much attention already building around her from the release alone, we waited patiently to see what the future held for her next release. To our surprise, we got put in the loop of her next release by Kendra herself, which built up the anticipation to hear it on our end, where it paid off gradually. Her second single, “Reckless,” is out now, but we actually had the pleasure of previewing it a week before the initial release date and decided to break down the release in a way we know how. We got behind the record’s sensibilities and got to ask some questions about it with Kendra, who took us through her trip in this latest deep-end interview.

First off, how exciting is it to be releasing your second single of the year today? (Friday)

That's crazy. That's a really wild thought just because I was trying to find my sound last year and I do still like to experiment but I executed, I'm farther in my journey than I was last year and I'm proud of myself.

How different was the recording process for “Reckless” from your predecessor single, “Nicotine”?

I like to see how I can manipulate my voice so that's always fun, I did experiment with higher pitches which is a bit out of my comfort zone but that's why I did it. I'm actually studying proper vocal techniques and expanding my range so I'm excited to incorporate what I'm learning into future songs and continue to story tell.

It’s not always we get such an elegant record that matches on-point with its cover art, what we’re some of the inspiration you had coming with the single’s art?

Well, thank you for calling it an elegant record! The short answer is Marylin Monroe and champagne. The real answer is, honestly, I didn't plan for that to be the cover art, I wanted another photo but something about the final product kind of screamed everything that the song was about. It's reckless within itself. The majority of the process for making this song was chaotic, I made decisions I shouldn't have, I just did a lot of things that were irresponsible haha but no one knew that. I'd like to think I look pretty in that photo but there is an inner turmoil.

A ballad on the line of resentment mixed with a deep lust for envy, what were some of the emotions you had during the writing process that helped you fuel this release?

So, I joked with my engineer that the second verse came to me while I was in line at Walmart and that's what really happened. I like to say this song is peppered with fantasy but at it's core, it's a song about feeling stuck, struggling with resentment and yeah...feeling envy. I managed to expose a lot of feelings without anyone actually knowing what I'm talking about. It's like I'm hiding in plain sight and that's what I like about songwriting. But we can let Walmart take the credit.

When it comes to your unique sound, what we’re some of the revelations you came across that helped you construct this beautiful serenade we hear before us today?

Thank you for that compliment first and foremost. Whenever I write a song, I like to structure it as a screenplay. This movie-like situation you'll see more of in future records but generally, I like to really study my favorite artists, I like to study voice inflections, I like to incorporate acting because I really just want to put on a show and I want to make the music engaging to listen to.

Are both these tracks align to see a project appear from you later in the year?

No EPs or albums yet! I did write an EP last year about an ex boyfriend. I was very much inspired by Paramore and Royal and The Serpent so that project is a completely different sound than what I do now, I would need to work with people to get it to sonically fit me. I'm inspired by The Weeknd when it comes to full length projects, I like that everything flows into the next thing. I have to study him more.

The ambiance of the records it’s rooted with melancholy & desired taste throughout, is this the feeling of description you were going for or would you describe it in a different way?

Honestly, I'm still trying to figure it all out. If I had to give a description of my music, it might be that it feels like you're floating in water, your eyes closed and you just wanna forget and start new. I don't know.

So thank you for giving us a quick glimpse of your upcoming visualizer for the record “Reckless”, I love the lucid effect of the visual which really capitalizes the sound’s aura, was that something you work on with the videographer or was that all his doing?

That was actually all me. He’s a great videographer but I did the edit. I’ve always loved editing video and I have a certain way I like things to look and go with the music. All the little details matter, including the font I use for the lyrics.

The reply sequence feels like a feverish dream where you can’t helped to be lost in a trance while taking a glimpse of the viewing, is that a good takeaway to get from the visual or is there a better description you prefer?

I enjoy that description, I wouldn’t have thought of the word ‘trance’ myself but you hit the nail on the head! I think that has more to do with the way he shot it.

Why are some takeaways you want people to grasp during a listening experience of your music?

I think it's just fun to treasure hunt. Ideally, I'd like my actual supporters to appreciate songwriting. I love pop music but this isn't that. Sometimes I think I need to not be so cryptic and just be more straight forward which I will be in these upcoming releases but I think bringing some poetry back into music is refreshing. That's why I love listening to rap, I love real stories.

Any passionate projects outside of music you are hoping to accomplish for the year?

I've been writing a short film, a few actually. What goes on in those films are topics and people I've already spoken about in released and unreleased music. It would be nice to have the film played a film festival. First I have to finish writing it though!

If you could describe Kendra Michelle Marquez in 5 words, what would they be?

Considerate. Ambitious. Funny. Lost but Found.

The Deep End with Kendra Michelle Marquez on “Reckless”