Tonight was the official CD release party for singer-songwriter Kendall Payne's new CD Paper Skin. Payne is an artist who has experienced firsthand the highs and lows of the music industry, so it's good to see that she has persevered and endured through it all as she hit the stage tonight in Los Angeles to share her new music.

I first saw Kendall play last year and I was moved by her vocals and music. Her music is honest and heartfelt. Her sound is similar to Sarah McLachlan. Let's just say that Kendall would have been a great addition to the Lilth Fair lineup back in the summer of 1999.

In addition to being a talented singer-songwriter, she is an accomplished musician. Guitar was her instrument of choice until April 2006 when she decided to "tickle the ivories for a season."

Read how her latest CD came to fruition (the following is an excerpt from Kendall Payne's Web site):

After receiving a piano as a gift from her husband in early April of 2006, Payne decided to set aside her acoustic guitar and tickle the ivories for a season. “It’s kinda funny,” Payne recalls, “I decided to learn piano because I wanted to have a Christmas party. Sounds strange, but it’s true. I love singing carols and they sound much better on piano. So everyday from April to December I would practice ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Silent Night’, and a host of other classics. My neighbors weren’t too happy come mid-July, but my party guests were very impressed come December!”

Having played guitar all her life Payne began to feel that her songwriting had grown predictable. However, the novelty of a new instrument awoke her creativity. “I let my heart, not my head, find the melody.” Before too long the demos for “Paper Skin” were compiled and with a newly inspired confidence Payne headed into the studio with producer Tim Schoenhals.

The album took approximately three weeks to record, mix, and master, with most of the vocals and performances being recorded in just one take. “My last two albums took the better part of a year to make. I simply refused to do that this time,” states Payne.

The title of the album “Paper Skin” does not mislead, for it is by far her most honest work to date, replete with universal, life-inspired themes of love, loss, failure, spirituality, and the unrelenting hope of the human spirit. What makes Payne's music so special and so well-received and respected is her uncanny ability to weave life's most commonly shared experiences into some of the most brilliant lyrics and most moving melodies. Her music is nothing less than amazing and nothing but apropos, it is the soundtrack for life!

Listen to Payne's music: Kendall Payne on MySpace
Or visit: Kendall Payne's Web site