Revitalising buzzsaw indie rock, Cleveland singer-songwriter KennyHoopla is shaping his sound, his way. He talks about finding hope through his music and returning to his roots. 

When KennyHoopla burst into the alternative scene around the backend of the 2010s, there was a vital immediacy to his image, his sound, his effervescence. 2020 debut EP “how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//“ had a punky, indelicate edge whilst being grounded in a searing emotionality, somewhere between Bloc Party and Teezo Touchdown. Next year’s follow up, “SURVIVORS GUILT: THE MIXTAPE//“ saw the artist shift his focus, collaborating with legendary blink-182 Travis Barker on a rip-roaring re-imagination of pop punk. 

Following a few years of testing the waters with a plethora of singles, Kenny is back with a fire in his belly and a sharpness to his vision. New five-track EP “conditions of an orphan//” is a return to the anthemic indie inclinations of his early work, with a fresh, bouncier edge. With a collaboration entourage that boasts Paramore drummer Zac Farro and production mogul Mike Elizondo, the palettes are fresh and exciting, whilst Kenny’s vocals are rousing, robust and full of heart. 

Speaking exclusively to Wonderland, the artist delves into his essence, collaborations and what the new work represents.

Listen to the EP…

Read the interview…

Hey Kenny! How are you doing? How was your summer?

I’m fine! Thank you! My summer was full of work, not a lot of fun but that comes with the job! 

Take us back to your early musical memories and origins? Where does your love stem from?

I remember listening to the “only time” by enya on the radio in kindergarten during naptime — it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard in my life and I think that “feeling” is something that I had been chasing since. Besides that my mother was always a music fan and was also in love with all different genres. One sec it’s NWA to gospel to The O’Jjays to Nickelback hahah. She def instilled my open armed music taste early on. I would spend a lot of time in my room just listening to the radio and realizing “song structure” I guess and it interested me a lot that there was a science to it. I would be listening to like Jonas Brothers” on the radio or something and be writing my own lyrics over it – that was a way I taught myself how to write a song I guess, I’ve always been in love with hooks. 

How did you reach this sound that you’ve now cultivated? How would you describe the essence of your musicality?

Well I feel it’s always been my sound or atleast what I was going for initially. You’ll hear hints of it in my first EP. The thing is back then it was harder to find producers or people who were into that sound, more electronic and indie rock, dance punk. So with this one I just kind of made sure I was very on the nose as much as possible so I’m being perceived in a way that aligns with me more. I just wanted to make what I’ve always loved into something to set up the album. I just wanted to make people dance and cry.

How do you reflect on your 2021 project, “SURVIVORS GUILT: THE MIXTAPE“?

Very chaotic. I’m still processing it to this day. It was a fun moment for me but at the same time I was def suffering from the success of it. It was a moment I’m grateful for but went on longer than I thought and I think it made people perceive me. It changed my life.

Congratulations on your new EP! How are you feeling about the release?

I’m stoked it’s about and happy to move forward and give the fans something to eat. This is a big reset for me.

When did the idea for the body of work first come together? What was the conceptual root? 

It was just to go back to the kennyhoopla that people loved me for and make the music that I really love sonically. It started I think in the Fall ‘25. I just started learning how to produce myself and get these sounds and feelings that I’ve heard into a song, alone.

How did you decide on who to work with on the collaborative front? How was that process? 

I would be lying if I said it was fully my choice. I was working with my friend knowsthetime who’s a producer, mentor and my bassist but he didn’t have much time for me as he had a life. I was stuck in a small town in Wisconsin and time was running out, I had no manager or anything and within two weeks I found a manager and producers who were down to help me finish demos and make them sound like proper songs so we just locked in so I could get it finished. It was all very hectic lol but I got it done. Pray it’s never like that again.. I’m tired, I’m grateful but I’m tired hahaha.

Talk us through the thought and feeling behind the title, “conditions of an orphan//“?

it was just a reflection of where I was at, a certain stream of consciousness and weird juxtapositions. I go online and I resonate and feel for those people in war overseas, the oppression. Finding diamonds and then someone coming and stealing them and making you work for it still. Those children that have no home. Definitely the feeling of getting the rug swept from under you. The title stood for doing what you can with what you have. So much was happening in my life I had to burn it all to the ground to see what was really real and that left me with nothing, couldn’t see a blueprint anymore or a parent or mentor to talk to.. there is no more nostalgia for my generation just microtrends. I felt like an orphan and I know a lot of my fans feel the same way so that’s where it started, speaking on my “conditions” and reflecting where I was at now. Idk.

How did your personal experiences shape the writing of this new project?

This project is definitely about my life more currently than like a past from long ago or my early youth. It was about where I was at presently.

What does the project mean to you? What do you hope it achieves?

This project stands for resilience. It was a symbol of hope. You talk about things coming out of mid air and this is that. Having some sort of vision, some sort of hope and doing what you can with that. I hope I can bring some earnestness back to music and my fans can feel a little bit of growth from me. I feel a lot of responsibility or pressure with my idols watching me or following me. It feels like everyone is waiting for the “big thing” from me, that changes everything and validates whatever they think they see in me. I had a short amount of time to work on this project but I simply hope this makes people feel like I’m getting closer and inspiring. More than anything it just means moving forward but going back to my personal Sonic basics.

Aside from the EP, what else is to come from you this year?

I’m launching a skateboard brand of mine! Got some collab brand collabs and touring alot .. also more music!