BELLAIRE — When Lansing-area indie-pop singer Kanin Wren headlines Short’s Fest in northern Michigan come June 8, she’ll do so as the state’s reigning “Emerging Artist of the Year.”
The award announced this month by the Local Spins music website will officially get presented during the Jammie Awards at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Feb. 23, honoring an up-and-coming artist who’s made a splash over the past year while also showing impressive potential as a future star bound for prominence.
For Wren, that journey began at a very young age.
When she was just 6 years old and the proud owner of a new guitar at Christmas, she told her parents that she wanted to win a Grammy Award.
“I was setting goals young,” conceded the now 18-year-old singer-songwriter who’s a senior at DeWitt High School.
She’s still setting ambitious goals.
“I would love to do stadium tours,” said the singer who’s made waves over the past year with her Taylor Swift Experience tribute shows across the state, along with releasing her own catchy, pop-propelled singles.
“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.”
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 just last week, unveiled a new single co-written with respected producer and songwriter PJ Ju.
“It means a lot to me,” Wren said of winning the emerging artist award. “It’s a huge honor.”
The accolades don’t come as a surprise to those who’ve worked with the singer, calling her a stellar songwriter who’s confident, relevant and refreshing. Bissonette said she’s “in the right position to succeed” thanks to her “overall maturity and natural talent.”
For the singer who started life as Kanin Thelen, it’s just another step toward solidifying her career in music even though she doesn’t even graduate from high school until this spring.
Leaning toward taking a “gap year” before considering possible college enrollment, the singer aims to focus on touring, writing and honing her instrumental skills.
“In 2024, my plan is to divide my time between recording in Nashville and here in Michigan. I believe it’s important to explore different creative environments and harness the unique energy of each location,” she said.
“I have set aside May and June to fully enjoy the last moments of high school and graduation festivities, but on June 8 we have a double-header performance starting with the Kellogg Cereal Festival in the morning and ending as the headliner for Shorts Brewing’s summer bash in northern Michigan. It’s going to be an exhilarating day from sunrise to sunset.”
Exhilarating could also describe Wren’s endeavor the past year in paying tribute to Swift, an artist who’s inspired and influenced her own music. Her “Taylor Swift Experience” — a show concept first suggested by adviser Elle Lively — has played venues throughout Michigan to enthused audiences of rabid Swifties.
“Taylor 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 and I didn’t anticipate the overwhelming positive response we received. … 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.”
Crediting her parents for playing “a pivotal role in shaping” her musical journey from a young age, Wren said she’s eager to graduate from high school and devote full attention to her art.
“I feel that in order to truly determine whether music is a hobby or a career path, I need to give it my undivided attention,” she said, adding that she’s also working on projects “that make a positive impact” on youths and special needs children.
“Up until now, I have only been able to dedicate a fraction of my day to music. This is my opportunity to give it 100 percent of my time and effort.”