SALT LAKE CITY — Sixteen-year-old Kenz Hall may be a young player in the local scene, but her huge voice and easy smile has made bigwigs in the music industry sit up and take notice. A contestant on American Idol, Hall was introduced to a national audience in a huge way, and she’s enjoying the success one song at a time.KSL: What's your "origin story?" How long have you been playing music, what inspired you to create a band, etc?
KENZ HALL: I grew up dancing, so I was surrounded by music. I sang around church and family but It wasn't until I was around 10 that I found I really have a passion for singing. I've been playing guitar for around six years. I just thought it would be cool to be the first girl in the family to play guitar.
KSL: Give me the thousand-foot view of your sound:
HALL: Acoustic singer/songwriter with blues influences.
KSL: What inspires you? Who are your musical influences?
HALL: I'm inspired by so many people and things. I love the 60s-70s vibe, John Mayer, Eva Cassidy, Hayley Williams, Grace Potter, Julianne Hough.
KSL: What do you tell yourself before a performance?
HALL: You're doing this for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. So go kill it.
KSL: What is your five-year-plan with your music?
HALL: Another album is in the works. But I'll go wherever my music takes me. (It's) up to fate.
KSL: What has been the most exciting thing to happen in your career to date?
HALL: American Idol opened so many doors for me, it's crazy. I used to go beg for gigs. Now people are emailing and asking me to come. It's so flattering and so humbling because I've been on both sides now. I've met so many incredible people and got to experience things I used to only dream about.
KSL: Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with, and who is your dream collaboration?
HALL: Everyone I have collaborated with has been a pleasure. I would love to duet with John Mayer, Bon Iver or Florence and the Machine.
KENZ HALL: I grew up dancing, so I was surrounded by music. I sang around church and family but It wasn't until I was around 10 that I found I really have a passion for singing. I've been playing guitar for around six years. I just thought it would be cool to be the first girl in the family to play guitar.
KSL: Give me the thousand-foot view of your sound:
HALL: Acoustic singer/songwriter with blues influences.
KSL: What inspires you? Who are your musical influences?
HALL: I'm inspired by so many people and things. I love the 60s-70s vibe, John Mayer, Eva Cassidy, Hayley Williams, Grace Potter, Julianne Hough.
KSL: What do you tell yourself before a performance?
HALL: You're doing this for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. So go kill it.
KSL: What is your five-year-plan with your music?
HALL: Another album is in the works. But I'll go wherever my music takes me. (It's) up to fate.
KSL: What has been the most exciting thing to happen in your career to date?
HALL: American Idol opened so many doors for me, it's crazy. I used to go beg for gigs. Now people are emailing and asking me to come. It's so flattering and so humbling because I've been on both sides now. I've met so many incredible people and got to experience things I used to only dream about.
KSL: Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with, and who is your dream collaboration?
HALL: Everyone I have collaborated with has been a pleasure. I would love to duet with John Mayer, Bon Iver or Florence and the Machine.
