meet kendra

Houston singer-songwriter strikes a major chord with move to L.A. and new album

Houston-raised singer-songwriter, Kendra Muecke aka Kendra and the Bunnies, won’t let something like a pandemic get in the way of her pursuing a career in music.

The artist is riding high after two recent releases that showcase her wide range of tastes and influences, the first major forays in making a name for herself in the industry.

A graduate of Houston's Episcopal High School and daughter of well-known H-town fashionista Beth Muecke, the aspiring musician traveled west to study at Pepperdine University, picking up a bachelor of arts, focusing on acting, writing, and performing. She later attended music production school and set on the Kendra and the Bunnies moniker based on her love of the furry and habitually late Alice in Wonderland character.

“Right after college, I found myself songwriting and I thought, ‘This is exactly who I am," Muecke tells CultureMap from her phone, stuck in Los Angeles traffic. “Everything I had done was coming together — the actor, the singer, the dancer, the guitarist, the writer. All of that culminated in being a singer-songwriter and presenting myself on stage.”

One of her first major projects came out earlier this year, the 15-track full length album called Of Consideration, featuring the rock-heavy single "So Hollywood."

The album, with doses of the Summer of Love floating on a foundation in pop and rock, was recorded at the famed Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco where popular classic rock and psych-rock acts cut their music, including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane — as well as modern bands and hip-hop artists such as Green Day, Cake, Train, Kanye West, and Tupac.

"I’m so passionate about this era of music," Muecke says. "The ’60s and ’70s is so influential for me that to go up to San Francisco to take the picture for the album cover on Haight-Ashbury Street and record in this famous studio was so exceptionally close to my heart. It was a beautiful experience."

To follow up, Kendra and the Bunnies released an EP in July called, Of Summer, recorded in Nashville with producer Justine Blazer at Ten7Teen Studios that draws heavily on the city’s country influences.

This time around, she worked with a team of songwriters, a system utilized by many up and coming artists in the Nashville scene. The collection of tracks gave her a chance to explore new sonic territory, a throwback to her Lone Star State upbringing.

"Pop artists do this all the time – they go through different phases in their career in different genres," Muecke says. "I feel like I’m really opening myself up to the fact that I’m multi-genre. I’m folk-rock and psychedelic and with these four songs, I’m going to be a little bit pop country, touching back on my Texas roots that shine really well in Nashville."

It's an ambitious start for a fresh name but those moves are paying off in Spotify streams, YouTube views, and three awards nominations at the Nashville-based Josie Music Awards, an industry celebration in which winners based on their talent, skill, material, and professionalism.

She is nominated in the Artist of the Year (Multi-Genre) category, as well as for Best Song and Music Video of the Year for her single, “Self Love Proclamation.”

While the pandemic forced her to perform virtually for well over a year, she finally hit the stage with a full band this past month at the famed L.A. rock 'n roll haunt, The Viper Room. And rather than rest on her laurels, Muecke is planning her next batch of songs, this time veering into mainstream pop with an artsy, folk angle.

Her future plans also include a trip back to her native city with hopes for a hometown live show and the chance to indulge in a few of the things she misses the most about the Bayou City — Whataburger, queso, and blasting some DJ Screw loudly in her car.

"I want to tap into the community [in Houston] to create a way where friends start to tell others about my band," Muecke says. "They know who I am and they know I want to pursue music, but I want to do a showcase where people see me live and go, 'Oh my gosh, I can't wait until the next time she’s in town."

As Kendra and the Bunnies, Kendra Muecke released the country-influenced Of Summer EP in July.

Courtesy Kendra and the Bunnies

As Kendra and the Bunnies, Kendra Muecke released the country-influenced Of Summer EP in July.

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weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo by Larry Niehues

The Black Keys are coming to H-Town.

National Tequila Day is on Friday, and many spots in Houston will be pouring agave spirits all day long.

Pinkerton's Barbecue, Mambo Seafood, Long Weekend, The Original Ninfa’s, Winsome Prime, and Bar Buena (which is also celebrating its first anniversary this weekend) are just a few of the restaurants that will have delicious specials for everybody on this day.

Let's not forget about the other events happening this weekend: drag bingo, a sake festival, a Black dance fest, some live performances, etc. As always, here are some things to check out and enjoy during these strange times.

Thursday, July 23

The Waxaholics present Vinyl Dining: A Tribute to D’Angelo
Houston chef Ashley Gadson and DJ Big Reeks are joining forces for an immersive evening that pairs the depth of Southern cuisine with the sounds of the late D'Angelo's 2000 R&B masterpiece Voodoo. The evening includes four courses, a complete vinyl listening session on audiophile equipment, and champagne pairings by Cornelius Anthony Jr. Be prepared to mix and mingle in different rooms while enjoying the fusion of cultures, flavors, and art forms. Limited early bird tickets are available. 6 pm.

Shabach Enterprise presents Challenging Brown
Challenging Brown is a powerful story of perseverance, education, and the cost of breaking barriers in a divided America. Set in 1967 Texas, the play follows Gordon Brown as he becomes the first Black teacher at an all-white high school, stepping into a world shaped by open hostility, quiet resistance, and the daily pressure of proving he belongs. This presentation is the third installment of the Shabach Enterprise Vanguard Series, which spotlights compelling new work and bold contemporary voices. Through Sunday, August 2. 7:30 pm (3 pm Sunday).

Hotel Daphne presents Drag Bingo
Head over to Hotel Daphne’s Bar Daphne for Drag Bingo, where high-energy entertainment meets dazzling drag. Queen Persephone will be calling the numbers, serving looks, and bringing the party with her signature charisma, humor, and sparkle. Expect exciting prizes, themed rounds, and plenty of surprises along the way. Whether people are coming for the bingo, the drinks, or the vibes, this is a chance to celebrate community, inclusivity, and pure joy. Come for the game; stay for the Queen. 8 pm.

Friday, July 24

The Black Keys in concert
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, better known as Ohio blues-rock gods The Black Keys, will be in town this weekend. They’ll most likely play tunes from their two recent releases – last year’s No Rain, No Flowers and the recently-dropped covers album Peaches!, which includes songs originally done by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Dr. Feelgood, and R.L. Burnside. Hey, as long as they perform some tunes from their Danger Mouse-produced era, we’ll be as happy as campers in an El Camino. 6 pm.

Houston Public Library presents Author Talk with Mychal Threets
Over at Houston Public Library’s Julia Idelson Library, author and Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets will be discussing his debut picture book I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, followed by a book signing. Threets is a librarian, literary ambassador, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He is also a recipient of the 2023 “I Love My Librarian” award from the American Library Association and one of TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders. The event will be livestreamed on HPL's Facebook page. 6 pm.

Alley Theatre presents The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train is a modern psychological thriller, adapted from Paula Hawkins’s best-selling novel (and the film adaptation starring Emily Blunt), that follows Rachel, a woman struggling with dependency. She must piece together her fragmented memories to find a girl who’s gone missing. As her night comes back to her, she considers: who can you trust when you can’t trust yourself? Through Sunday, August 30. 8 pm (2 & 7 pm Sunday).

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band in concert
Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band comes to Houston for the Keep The Party Going Tour. The Coral Reefer Band began their journey with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (and resort entrepreneur) Buffett in 1973. While members have changed over the years, most of the band have performed with the tropical rocker for over 30 years. Together, they will celebrate the songs and community that defined a generation of fans. 8 pm.

Saturday, July 25

The DeLUXE Theater presents Forever Con
Forever Con is all about good vibes, cool cosplays, and nonstop fun. This family-friendly event features a double film screening (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at noon, Blade 2 at 7 pm), vendors, panels, giveaways, and much more. Whether someone is into comics, games, or just meeting new friends, this event has it all. 9 am.

Power Station Bar & Lounge presents Sakenaut Festival
Sakenaut Festival is a Tokyo nightlife-inspired, all-you-can-drink sake festival, bringing a Japanese nightlife and sake experience directly to Houston audiences. The fest will feature sake and sake cocktails, Japanese drinking games, Nintendo Switch play, and a late-night DJ session, featuring Japanese spinners DJ Senna and DJ TSÜBEE, all built around a fun, social, Japan-inspired atmosphere. 2 pm.

Texas Monthly presents Taco Fest
At Texas Monthly's Taco Fest, attendees can enjoy an evening of live entertainment, culture, and some of the best tacos Texas has to offer. Tickets include access to bites from 15 taquerias featured on Texas Monthly’s most recent list of Top 50 Tacos in Texas, including No. 1 Ana Liz Taqueria (Mission) and No. 1 barbecue joint Burnt Bean Company (Seguin). VIP tickets are $85 and include bites from all featured joints, plus an extra thirty minutes of VIP access. GA tickets are $60 and include bites from all featured taquerias. 6 pm.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Arthouse Houston present Batman on the Bayou
Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Arthouse Houston will be giving us Batman on the Bayou, a free evening celebrating one of Houston’s most unique nighttime species. Presented as part of BBP’s Summer Species series exploring all things BATS, the event will feature family-friendly activities, a puppet show by Afasneh Aayani, nature education, and opportunities to learn more about the important role these night flyers play in our urban ecosystem. The evening also includes a screening of 1992’s Batman Returns – and costumes are encouraged! 7 pm.

Blaze x Black Halftime Performance
Houston rappers Blaze x Black have got some major events coming up this Tuesday, August 4 (aka Blaze x Black Day). That’s when they’ll drop the physical album release of their 2025 album NAHIMSAYIN, as well as their new single “Timmy Chan #2." But, before that happens, the pair will perform at halftime during the Houston Dynamo vs. Austin FC, over at Shell Energy Stadium. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, July 26

Dance Afrikana presents the 2nd Biennial Houston Black Dance Festival
Presented by Dance Afrikana, the Houston Black Dance Festival is a biennial cultural celebration that honors the richness, innovation, and global impact of African and African diasporic dance traditions through community workshops, artistic exchange, and film. This year also marks an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Black Dance on Screen series, a selection of films by and about Black dancers, followed by live conversations with the filmmakers that explore the stories and creative processes behind their work. 9 am.

Celebrating Whitney Screwston’s Heavenly Birthday
Carla Romero, also known as Whitney Screwston, was a DJ and event organizer whose life was cut short when she passed away last October at age 31. This weekend, come celebrate what would’ve been Whitney’s 32nd birthday at Forest Park Cemetery. Attendees can pay their respects and salute a special someone who brought people together through music, art, and community. People can also contribute to this celebration (as well as support her legacy and future events) by filling out this Google form. 4 pm.

Photo by Larry Niehues

The Black Keys are coming to H-Town.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Allegro non troppo
An enterprising producer believes he has hit upon a winning concept: a program of original animated shorts set to classical music. Undeterred by warnings that this has already been done by an American named “Prisney,” he assembles an all-female orchestra, a bullish conductor, and an animator that he keeps locked in the dungeon. What could go wrong? Allegro non troppo — an irreverent send-up of Disney’s Fantasia — blends live-action slapstick with cheeky animation for a film as joyful and raunchy as it is thoughtful and cutting. 5 pm.

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