Kaleena Zanders: An Artisan of Emotion in Music

As Kaleena Zanders’ song The Light blasted through my headphones, I pedaled faster, feeling the kinetic energy of her music reverberate in my chest. Soundtracked by high-energy hi-hats, symphonic strings, a bass that throbbed from the depths, and Zanders’ soaring vocals, my bike ride transformed into a euphoric journey. It’s clear that I am not alone in my experience; her music resonates deeply with many.

For over a decade, Zanders has captivated audiences at nightclubs and festivals, even earning accolades when her song featured in a Super Bowl Toyota commercial. Last month, she released her debut album Anything Goes, which has garnered praise from Billboard. Two of its standout tracks, Stronger Than Machines and Anything Goes, have been prominently featured by ESPN, showcasing Zanders’ multifaceted appeal.

Kaleena’s Roots and Rise

As Zanders embarks on a multi-city tour across the United States and Canada, she gives heartfelt acknowledgment to her upbringing in San José, California. “I ended up going to Independence High School,” she recounts, where she not only excelled in sports but also immersed herself in the arts—a world that significantly shaped her.

Zanders’ teenage years were a blend of athleticism and self-discovery. A passionate basketball and rugby player, she often found herself at Hot Topic in the Eastridge Mall, rocking emo fashion. However, the arts were calling her name, notably through musical theater. From ages 8 to 11, she trained with the San Jose Children’s Choir. Zanders recalls, “I remember coming alive on stage… I get it now,” recognizing how this experience laid the foundation for her blossoming career.

Her musical journey was further influenced by the challenges of her youth. “Understanding that I’m queer was pretty hard for me in high school,” she reflects. To cope, she turned to music, practicing on a piano in her mom’s garage and later taking guitar lessons. This evolution led her to join a band in college, Moulder’s Lounge, which she describes as “the most euphoric, life-changing experience.”

From Rock Aspirations to EDM Evolution

After moving to Los Angeles and attending the Musicians Institute, an unexpected opportunity arose when a friend introduced her to a DJ in need of vocal talent for an EDM track. Laughing, she admits, “I wasn’t the kind of kid that could go out and rave,” yet she dove headfirst into this new world, quickly gaining confidence and expertise.

Today, Zanders shares the stage at both nightclubs and sports arenas—two vastly different environments both dominated by male presence. Just by being herself—“as a woman, as a Black woman, as a queer woman”—she inherently makes a powerful statement. This representation is critical, bringing visibility to often overlooked communities within the music scene.

Transitioning from writing intricate rock lyrics to crafting short, punchy lines for dance hits proved challenging. “Simplifying felt like a diss to the art,” she said. However, discovering the legacies of artists like Robin S. and Sonique helped her appreciate the power of “big diva vocals.” With just a few choice lyrics, Zanders realized she could convey profound emotions and messages.

The album Anything Goes delivers seven tracks brimming with emotion and storytelling. Each song features collaborations with artists like Shift K3Y, Bipolar Sunshine, and Hayley May, underlining Zanders’ dynamic versatility. The album title itself encapsulates her journey; after encountering betrayal, she resolved to embrace life with audacity, echoing the phrase, “Okay, fuck! Let me have the audacity to do what I wanna do, which is good stuff.”

A Legacy of Music

The phrase Anything Goes also aptly describes Zanders’ eclectic persona. An athletic pianist, an ex-mohawked rocker with a penchant for pop, she carries forward her grandmother’s musical legacy. “She was a prolific piano player and a choir director,” Zanders recalls fondly. Even though her grandmother passed away when she was an infant, her legacy lives on through archival recordings that Zanders often revisits, saying, “This is where some of my musical abilities come from.”

While Zanders doesn’t identify with a single faith, she acknowledges that her music carries a spiritual essence. “Dance music,” she states with conviction, “it can be a magical experience.”

Her set at the upcoming Dirtybird Cookout and Northern Nights Music Festival, happening in Piercy, California, is certain to showcase this magic. This talented artist, whose music reverberates through nightclubs, festivals, and even headphones, is on a path of continuous evolution and artistic exploration.