Kendal Chandler recently joined the Stitched Sound writing staff and over the course of her first year with us, she has reviewed some of the year’s top albums — leading our pop-punk and alternative genre sections. Her eloquent words and ability to use text to describe music is a deep talent that we at Stitched Sound are lucky enough to have on staff. We sat down with Kendal to feature her and share more about her and her music background with our readers!
When did you join Stitched Sound?
June of 2019
When did you start getting in journalism?
I’ve always been into writing. At my college’s radio station I was writing small write-ups of new music releases of that week to be read live on air during our Friday 5PM slot. From there I decided writing for a music publication would be fun and help expand skills that I have as well as learn new ones
What are you currently going to school for and why did you pick the major you are in?
I am currently in my senior year of college, and I am majoring in Communications with a concentration in Radio Broadcasting. I’ve always been interested in working in media and some form and after a semester working for my college radio station I learned I love behind the scene of running a radio station, mostly because I got to work with music alot, whether that was uploading tracks to our system, writing small reads, etc.
What has been your favorite piece you’ve written so far and what made it so memorable?
Reviewing Doll Skin’s “Love is Dead and We Killed Her” because it was a record I have been looking forward to for months and I enjoyed having the chance to review it. This was also one of the first pieces I’ve written for Stitched Sound so it was an exciting time as I was starting to write for an actual publication.
In your opinion, what makes a good live review, album review or band interview?
For album reviews I think it is important to be able to understand the main theme of the record and seeing how it plays out and is represented in each song and as a cohesive release.
Have you become a fan of any band(s) after reviewing/photographing them? If so, who and why?
I got back into listening to Tegan and Sara after reviewing their latest album. I used to listen to a few of their songs and after listening to “Hey, I’m Just Like You” and enjoyed it, I found myself going back and listening through their discography.
Who is your dream artist to interview/shoot and why?
I would love to interview Jetty Bones because I enjoy her music and love how she covers real and heavy topics as well as being honest and open about herself to her audience.
What are you top five favorite albums of all time? Is there a specific song that changed your life?
Transit – Young New England
The Maine – Lovely, Little, Lonely
All Time Low – Nothing Personal
As It Is – Never Happy, Ever After
Camp Cope – Camp Cope
If you could only listen to one artist forever, who would it be and why?
The Maine have released many records that I adore and I find myself listening to them for days on end, so I would say them.
What advice do you have for the younger generation who might be reading this and wanting to join a publication staff?
Always be open to learning and trying new things and take the opportunities that come to you, you never know where it can take you.
