Lili Kendall
Australian artist and songwriter Lili Kendall unveils the visuals for her single "i am my own."
Directed by feminist filmmaker/director Caroline laffaldano, the cinematic video is a trilogy of intergalactic travels in hopes of finding love. “While voyaging through the depths of the universe Lili experiences love in several different forms but ultimately finds the truest form of love and expansion within herself. Regardless of the planet or galaxy she ends up in, Lili lands in her own body and is able to receive herself in her limitless capacity she calls home,” explains laffaldano.
Written by Kendall, produced by Camden Bench & composed/engineered by Ervin Garcia, the LA-based artist wrote “i am my own” while trying to find comfort in a time of transition and doubt.
The 22 year old artist will be revealing her debut record love, herself early 2020. ”I have found peace in the lyrics of these songs. Writing this project has been how I processed and released all that I've encountered over the last two years. I hope listening to these songs has the same effect on people that they've had on me,” says Kendall.
“i am my own” is now available worldwide.
Video Still: Caroline laffaldano
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Lilian Grace, my family’s name is Kendall, I create and release music — and art to support it — as the artist, Lili Kendall. I grew up in Australia’s third-largest city, Brisbane, and moved to LA, full time, almost 3 years ago. I love to create in all forms, writing, singing, cooking, gardening… whatever it is, it brings me joy to create something and watch its evolution.
How would you define Lili Kendall, the artist?
She is sensual, perceptive, feminine and sensitive, but also equally determined, strong-willed, masculine and quick-tempered. A cliche Gemini, with her many sides.
What's the story behind "i am my own"?
I wrote “I am my own” in March of last year with Camden Bench & Ervin Garcia. I was in a period of transition in my life, and there was a lot of unknown. I guess the song was something that I needed to hear at the time and was really therapeutic to write. Regardless of the outer world and what was happening, my inner world was always going to be a safe space for me to turn to, and I needed to honour that space.
What did you feel when writing this record?
Comfort. It was a very self-soothing process to create and continued to be for the months that I listened to it on repeat afterward.
How was it to work with Camden Bench on this single?
Camden and I clicked immediately. He’s got good, light energy, which makes it easy to be open and create with. It’s rare to have just met & spend the very first session creating something you all love. Camden & Erv both picked up their guitars & started playing back and forth to each other, and it was pretty much instant.
What did you learn from collaborating with Caroline Iaffaldano?
Caroline is like my sister, we met when I first moved out to LA in 2017, so we had been connected for a while prior to this, I was a fan of the art she was making and had the honour of her using my music in her incredible short film ‘girls in space’. When she came to me to collaborate on something from scratch together, I was so excited & all in. Working with Caroline, was the most beautiful and error-free process I’ve been through on a film set, i learned how great of a director she already is at the beginning of her journey and the limitless space she has to grow…it also reminded me to continue to surround myself with like-frequency creatives, especially women because the process and the art speaks for itself!
What can you tell us about your upcoming project love, herself?
It’s the collections of moments, lessons and perspective from the last 2 years of my life, put into lyric and melody. It was super healing for me to create, and I hope that’s how it feels for the listener as well. I realized a lot of my life, and my energy revolves around love, in all her forms, and I think that's the essence of life, to love and be loved.
What are the different topics you are talking about on this project?
Tribe, craft, journey, faith, romance, evolution, it's all about the different ways we experience love, and the lessons we learn through the emotion.
What advice would you give to anyone struggling with self-love?
I think people focus too much on self-love, and not enough on self-awareness, which is sometimes more important. Self Love has almost become a commodity for capitalism. We aren’t always going to love ourselves to the fullest extent, and that’s ok. As long as you have the awareness to witness the emotion you’re feeling, know where it stems from, and understand that it’s just your stupid human brain making you think and feel that way temporarily.
What message do you want to deliver to women around the world?
That’s a big question, and not a short answered one. All of us are going through our own individual struggles based on class, race, sexuality, and culture. So I can’t give one answer that fits all… but I do think there’s one common thing that all women can do more of, and that’s trusting in their intuition because it is our biggest yet most unused gift.
Video Still: Caroline laffaldano
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned since the beginning of your career?
To trust my intuition more.
What does singing make you feel?
It makes me feel connected to Source. I think it is a gift from God, and it’s my way of connecting with Her too. Some people go to church, I sing.
How would you define love?
A driving force that is equally perplexing & terrifying as it is reassuring & divine.
How do you want to be remembered for?
I wanna live in my truth, so I can be remembered as who I really am, and continue to empower women to do the same, long after I’m gone.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Compassion.
Connect with Lili: