Dance/electronic artist Kaleena Zanders started playing instruments in high school.
"[I started] with learning piano by ear, then guitar, then drums in trade school," Zanders says. "I already had a knack for singing when I was a child and honed my skills for singing via musical theatre and vocal training classes. I learned a lot about songwriting in college and took some production classes. I didn’t finish college but I was able to grasp enough knowledge of how to construct songs and become an artist and be the most expressive in my music and also collaborate with others. I would say I got the bug for DJing specifically at the end of 2020 into 2021. I got a controller, took lessons and started falling in love with it. Shortly thereafter I realized I was able to have more control over my artist career by having the skill of DJing. It’s been an amazing journey combining my voice with DJing at my shows."
The artist describes her sound as usually centered, "around my voice and tell a soulful tale of hope and love. It typically lays in a bed of futuristic electronic sounds that I am inspired by. I like to break the rules a little bit in traditional dance music or to use my old school sounding voice in a way that feels a little opposite of what people would expect. I have a background in pop, r&b and rock music so you may hear a little of that influence."
Zanders' latest release is a collab with dance vocalist Hayley May on the song “Who We Are.”
"Produced by my great friend Christofi," she says. "It’s such a beautiful deep song but still a banger haha. This year I think my goal was to show that alliance with other vocalists in dance music. The single before this was with Bipolar Sunshine and we did a song that somehow crossed a lot of genres but in such an elevated and soulful way."
As for gear: "I use V-moda headphones when I DJ, Pioneer SDJ RX3 at home, UAD, Shure mic, Casio piano. Those are my go-tos at home for getting my ideas out and practice."
Looking ahead, Zanders has plenty planned for 2026. "I’ve got an album rolling out, so a couple more singles which I am extremely excited about and a whole headline tour," she says. "It’s called The Anything Goes Tour ‘26. I’m also doing many show dates with Griz. Touring with Griz had been such a beautiful experience. His team and community are the most welcoming bunch of folks."
