With a little country swing, a little hearty folk and some rock and blues, Auckland-bred Kendall Elise Todd boldly announces herself into the NZ music scene.

This debut EP was produced by Todd and Scott Seabright, and recorded at Roundhead, accompanied by Tom Landon-Lane on BVs and electric guitar, Chris Kemp on drums and percussion, and Tony Daunt on bass and BVs.

‘I Didn’t Stand A Chance’ opens with a haunting version of the traditional gospel song Wade In The Water, where Todd’s dark take on the piece allows her rich vocals to sour, and introduces us to her mesmerizing allure.

The deep percussion and guitar dominated accompaniment on tracks like Rose Red create a strong and powerful sound with plenty of vocal slides where the dark feel of the EP is developed.

Previously released as a single, Heart Full Of Dirt becomes the heart of the EP. Bursting into a contagious country jive with upbeat rhythm and speedy strumming, it drives us into dancing along to the slightly dark but charming humour in the lyrics, and is quite the signature of the album.

The versatility of Elise’s voice on soft tracks like Black Dog, where she hits each note with elegance, show a sweeter side to her artistic personality.

Clever use of some unsettling chords, tricky harmonies and catchy guitar riffs let the music speak the same feelings in instrumental moments.

‘I Didn’t Stand A Chance’ is a lively, charming, and somewhat dark character. Todd’s clever writing has given plenty of captivating and interesting musical moments that pull you through the album, eager to listen to what awaits, and not be able to stop yourself from smiling at the harmonies.

Available From: