The acclaimed teen singer-songwriter fires up Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night with a special show for Swifties and fans of her own pop-laced singles as she prepares to release her debut album.
Touring and Recording New Music: Kanin Wren has several busy months ahead. (Courtesy Photo/Tyler Kozinski)
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For Local Spins’ “Emerging Artist of the Year,” it’s been a “remarkable” journey since 2023, especially when it comes to impressing young fans with her music.
“The past two years have been truly remarkable. The biggest realization for me has been the impact that the kids have had on me, and the impact that I have had on them,” said mid-Michigan singer-songwriter Kanin Wren, who not only writes and releases her own music but stars in the “Taylor Swift Experience” tribute show that’s taken the region by storm with numerous sold-out shows.
“It’s been incredible to receive so many messages from both kids and parents, expressing how much of an inspiration I am to them. This feedback is by far the most fulfilling part of working with youth – knowing that I am making a positive difference in their lives.”
What’s also remarkable is that Wren is a teen herself, having just graduated from DeWitt High School while continuing to perform and tour.
She plays SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 13) as part of the Local Spins Wednesdays series, promising a mix of Swift favorites and her own pop-hued music. More details here. (There’s no admission fee, but a $5 surcharge is added to patrons’ bills to help pay performers.)
“Wednesday is going to be a blast,” Wren said. “We’ll kick off the night with some of my favorite Taylor Swift covers from the show, and then transition into some of my original songs, along with a set filled with catchy country pop tunes.
“I’ve been really into artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Megan Moroney lately, and their music has been a huge inspiration to me. It’s shaping up to be a really fun and lively evening, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Honing Her Skills: Kanin Wren got her first guitar at age 6. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
For the singer who started life as Kanin Thelen, the whirlwind year of 2024 marks the latest step in a quest that began after announcing at 6 years old that she wanted to win a Grammy Award after receiving a new guitar at Christmas.
“I was setting goals young,” conceded the now 18-year-old singer-songwriter from the Lansing area. “I would love to do stadium tours. That may be a little naïve and it’s going to be hard, but that’s kind of my dream. And it always has been since I was little.”
For this talented teen singer, those big dreams might have a much better chance of becoming reality than they would for most other fledgling young artists.
After releasing her first song at age 11, Wren already has established fruitful contacts in Nashville (where she’s played the legendary Bluebird Café), recorded indie-pop songs in Los Angeles with producer and Elton John bassist Matt Bissonette, and has since released several singles. Local Spins named her its “Emerging Artist of the Year” in February.
Accepted into the University of Michigan, Wren has chosen to take a year’s hiatus before heading to Ann Arbor “to focus solely on my music and give it my all before diving back into the balancing act. This time off will also give me the chance to explore and confirm if music truly is my destiny – it’s been my world for as long as I can remember.”
After playing SpeakEZ this week — with a Nov. 17 show at Lansing’s Capitol Theatre, two concerts in Virginia and a Dec. 6 Taylor Swift Experience show at Holland’s Park Theatre — she’ll continue that musical exploration by going on tour in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina this winter. She’ll also unveil her new “Boots & Bracelets Tour” in 2025 (teaser video below).
Of course, the Swift tributes have been a big focus the past two years, with Wren acknowledging that Swift’s music “holds a special place in my heart for several reasons. Taylor writes about her own life experiences, taking us on a journey from her early days as a budding songwriter to her current status as a young adult,” she said. “This authenticity and vulnerability resonates deeply with me as a listener.”
The tribute shows have honed Wren’s stage presence and bolstered her interactions with fans, while also affording the opportunity to captivate audiences with her own indie-pop and country pop tunes.
“I’ve learned how to connect with the audience in a meaningful way, understand their energy and create an immersive experience,” she said. “Taylor Swift’s fan base is incredibly dedicated. … It has reinforced my belief in the power of music.”
As such, she wants her own songs “to evoke emotions, whether it’s through relatable life experiences, a touch of imagination or a sprinkle of magic.”
She’ll head back into the recording studio in January, noting she has “a lot of material to release.”
“I have really found my niche in my genre, and my songwriting style is evolving and improving,” she said. “As a young artist, I understand that not everything I write is meant for the world to hear, but I am excited to share my collection of songs under my upcoming album, ‘Wren.'”
VIDEO: Kanin Wren at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe
VIDEO: Kanin Wren’s “Boots & Bracelets Tour”
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