KENTON On His Acting Career, Therapy, And New Acoustic EP “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)”

Wait, these songs get even better?!

If you enjoyed his “Sweetmouth” LP, then you are going to have to run to Spotify and listen to his newest project, “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)” with the acoustic versions!

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with KENTON about his “Vaporize Me” visualizer, “Someone Who Loves Me” by Bridesmen, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

K: “I have been running from music my entire life! I started college as a math major and sang in a cappella groups and bands as a hobby. Through it all, I was always writing songs and singing backup for my friends. It wasn’t til after college, when I went on my first US tour (opening for Ben Folds) that I realized I was never going to get away. Music is my language, it’s how I interpret the world around me. So, either I was always going to be depressed, with music being an obstacle, or I could finally open the dam and ford that stream like all the other artists I look up to.”

Your EP “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)” is out now! Can you tell us what fans of the original LP can expect?

K: “Most of the songs from the EP are acoustic versions from the Sweetmouth LP. They are broken down interpretations, so you have more time to listen to the lyrics rather than the production. I love strings, especially double bass, so you’re going to get that. And there’s a bonus! I “covered” one of my own tracks I released as Bridesmen a couple years ago, “The Times.” I’m so proud of the arrangement and the message, which was originally written in 2016. Sadly, we are STILL here, a decade later.”

Congrats on your newest video “Vaporize Me”! How did the single and video concept come to be?

K: “The entire visualizer world is tied together – right now, out of order. But if you look on my YouTube page there is a whole story that I’m building. This specific one is a mix of our contemporary imaginary world, and the narrative of a person who is learning to love the culture of their past (hence the mahjong and my shadow dance partner Grant Chang). My director Matthew Law (Abbott Elementary, Nemesis) wanted to create a fun atmosphere that still fit in the world of 1969 that we had filmed all the other videos in, so we filled the space with just blue so that it existed outside of a certain time period.”

If one song from your discography perfectly describes who you are as an artist and as a person, which would it be?

K: “That’s a hard one! I have such a playful side to me that I love to explore, but the heart of what I
want to say as an artist is in songs such as “Am I Broken” and “Walls” –which to this day, I think
is still my most enduring work. Ok, I’ve decided! “Someone Who Loves Me” by Bridesmen has gotta be my favorite. It’s sultry, it’s playful, and I directed the music video with a bunch of my friends.”

In addition to singing, you also have a growing acting career! What are your goals as an actor?

K: “My goal is to be a regular and write on a sitcom. I was so lucky to have a taste of it back in 2019, working with greats such as Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and I would love to do it again! There is so much to learn from watching them work, and it’s such an incredibly fun and collaborative process.”

What advice would you give to your listeners who feel trapped in their thoughts?

K: “Go seek therapy. Getting out of your own thoughts takes work, friends! I am so grateful to my
therapist, and to my career for allowing me to have one. I know it’s a privilege, but it has saved
my life and health so many times. If it’s unaffordable, then at the very least, read about mental health. Move your body. Talk it out with trusted friends (not trauma dump)! And consume art and theater that challenges you, not just distracts you. The antidote to the loneliness and anxiety we’re in right now is connection, not apathy.”

Make sure to stream “Sweetmouth (Sugar Free)”, available now on all music platforms!

Photo Credit: Ricky Chavez

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.