Those headed to see 30 Seconds To Mars next month at the Xfinity Center are requested to brave early traffic and arrive shortly after doors to catch KennyHoopla. The multi-genre artist and Cleveland native, who we’ve been bumping since 2020’s fevered debut jam “How Will I Rest In Peace If I’m Buried By A Highway” and cited as a must-see artist at 2022’s Boston Calling, returned this past Friday (July 26) with a jangly, kenetic new indie rock single titled “ONE TULIP//”.
The track, which gives some very sweet early New Order vibes, was written and produced by KennyHoopla, and it explores themes of self-sacrifice and his journey towards self-realization and self-care. It also starts a new chapter as an independent artist, and his first track of 2024 points to more good stuff to come, on his terms.
“I didn’t realize while writing it but I think this song is about how when you’re trying so hard to make sure no one is let down at all but you forget about showing up for yourself,” he writes. “I’ve tried to be of help my whole life and exhausted myself to be enough for my family and friends through empathy, currency, and just simply being there physically but you’ll always be half the person they need you to be until you learn to be a friend to yourself and make yourself whole.”
Stop and smell the tulips below.