Artists
Leoni Jane Kennedy
A recent graduate of the PRS Pulse Artist Program, Leoni Jane Kennedy is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom. Leoni’s music is characterized by intricate, progressive rock influenced guitar riffs accompanied by powerful, soulful vocals and lyrics that surpass her years. She was recently described by The New York Times as "a welcomed portal to something passionate and powerful". Winning her first title in the UK’s “number one under nineteen” singer-songwriter competition in 2014, then thirteen-year-old Leoni would go on to perform live at the Houses of Parliament in London. She has more accolades to her name, winning further songwriting awards and in 2018 Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen chose her from hundreds of applicants to receive the Freddie Mercury Scholarship. Leoni’s latest album New World Woman was independently recorded and released in 2023.
Q&A WITH LEONI
PRS: Congratulations on your recent “graduation” from the Pulse Artist Program. What advice would you offer to fellow guitarists looking to enter Pulse or move up to PRS Official Artist status?
Leoni: Thank you, legends!! My advice is this:
Be totally yourself. It’s fine to look up to others at the level you’d like to be at, allow that to inspire you, but don’t let it get in the way of finding your niche and unique selling point. If you’re struggling to find this, look back to your roots and think of who your younger self would imagine you to be now. Find what’s important to you and what you’d like to represent throughout your career. It’s a big one to delve into, but once you have an outline, it’s much easier to draw a path to where you’d like to be and have those boundaries to keep you grounded along the way. Nobody will do anything for you, so do it yourself and allow room for mistakes. Become your own boss, make your own hours, and put your ego to one side. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! My first professional tour came from an Instagram DM.
PRS: Who have been your primary musical inspirations, guitarist or otherwise?
Leoni: I love a huge range of artists and bands such as Steely Dan, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo, with more modern artists being Maddison Cunningham, Ariel Posen, Unprocessed, Karnivool, Wunderhorse, The Paper Kites and more. But ultimately, my most influential band is Rush. Since reinterpreting a range of their songs in acoustic form on my cover album New World Woman, not only have I been able to tour the UK and Europe alongside Rush tribute band Moving Pictures as their opening support act, but I have been connected to an audience worldwide that love and appreciate my work and original material in a new light. My own mum didn’t like Rush until I covered them! I’m just so pleased it allows Rush to be more accessible to those who aren’t necessarily into the super nerdy riffage and movements of Geddy, Alex and the late great Neil Peart. I was the quiet kid in school that hung out with her teachers (one of which is in the Rush tribute band I tour with) watching live Rush concerts over my lunch break. Subdivisions comes to mind…
PRS: We understand you have history with fellow PRS Artist Ace from Skunk Anansie. How do you two know each other?
Leoni: I love Ace! I first met him when I won the under 19’s singer-songwriter competition in Rock the House 2014. I was only 13 at the time and we’ve stayed in touch ever since! He actually helped me gain a partial endorsement with PRS Guitars in 2018 for my PRS SE Limited Edition exotic wood collection (ebony) Floyd Rose 24 fret. He showed an important person some footage of me and next thing I know the guitar is on its way to me for my 18th
birthday! He’s a total dude and so supportive of my career, and unsigned artists in general that deserve a break. He worked his way up the chain from being a young musician and it’s so lovely to see someone of his legendary status helping others up the ladder. I’m super lucky to have him in my life and always appreciate his support and guidance!
PRS: What’s the story behind obtaining your first PRS guitar and what models are you currently playing?
Leoni: My first official PRS Guitar that I owned, I received for my 16th birthday from my family. It’s the SE Alex Lifeson Signature acoustic PRS Angelus and I still use this today! It’s the most incredibly versatile acoustic guitar I’ve ever played and genuinely feels and acts indestructible. It was still in tune in its case after a 9-hour flight to New York! So, I currently use this, alongside my exotic wood SE with the Floyd Rose, and my recent purchase of the SE McCarty 594 model in charcoal grey which has the most incredible top finish I’ve seen on an SE yet.
PRS: What do you love the most about your PRS guitars?
Leoni: The versatility! Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to bend the neck on just any acoustic guitar night after night without it snapping… and to be able to play my 594 and have it sound like a vintage hollowbody with P90’s - I’m impressed… I’m so into the look of these things too. The birds are always the first thing to stand out to any PRS lover I think, but for me, the designs are spectacular and full of character. I’m an artsy visual person in general, so I need my guitars to match my vibe!
PRS: What are your musical plans and ambitions heading into 2025 and beyond?
Leoni: I’m touring with Moving Pictures, The Anchoress, and a few others yet to be announced (keep an eye on my website and socials). I hope to be doing an independent record shop in store performance tour too, selling the final copies of New World Woman and new merch around the subject! I’m also releasing a single every 5 weeks from my original album Synthetic. I hope to tour this later in the year once all of the tracks are out! Super stoked to be a part of the team and to be representing my favourite guitar brand EVER. #prsforlife
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