KISSING CONCRETE is the debut EP from Los Angeles alternative pop artist KANNER, the self-proclaimed “green queen” building a world rooted in vulnerability and defiance. Inspired by her recent battle with endometriosis, the project confronts chronic illness, mental health, and the quiet exhaustion of navigating a male-dominated music industry.
Brash and unapologetic on tracks like “WHEN IT’S ALL HAPPENING,” yet raw and exposed on “SELFISH,” KANNER presents a full spectrum of emotion with striking honesty. The EP’s focus track, “BAD AT MATH,” continues that through line of emotional clarity in the middle of chaos.
Following a US Fall 2025 tour supporting BANSHEE and a performance at LA’s BIG DAMN CHARITY JAM, KANNER is preparing to rejoin BANSHEE for a West Coast run this spring.
Before stepping fully into her artist era, KANNER built her name in songwriting circles, penning releases for Katy Perry, aespa, PVRIS, Blackbear, Rebecca Black, Mckenna Grace, Royal & the Serpent and more. While continuing to write for others, she honed her own sonic identity alongside Rena Lovelis of Hey Violet and Paige Blue. Together, the trio created the emotionally charged and raucous world of KISSING CONCRETE.
As KANNER puts it, “Kissing concrete is my love letter to the crash out. It is about my delusional audacity to keep getting up when the world feels like it is crumbling around me, even when sometimes I just want to lie in the street.”
What’s the story behind naming the EP “Kissing Concrete”?
Kissing Concrete is my love letter to the crash out. Life often feels like you're constantly hitting the ground. This EP is all about embracing the pain and challenges we all face and giving it a little kiss on the forehead. Saying thank you to the chaos and having it make you stronger.
Is it fair to say that the EP feels emotionally rebellious? If you agree, what made you go that direction? If you disagree, what word would you use to describe the go through line of the project?
This project is rebelling against the notion that we just have to “take it.” This EP is about my journey with endometriosis and talking about my mental health struggles. Women are expected to smile through the chaos and insanity and that is inherently rebellious.
Who are some people you want to thank, and what makes them special to you?
I have to thank Paige Blue and Rena Lovelis, this EP would have not come together without them. It was truly such a magical experience creating this project with them and I’m beyond grateful for them. Thank you to Ian Blue and Cody Tarpley for your finishing touches on the project! Thank you to my amazing managers Drew Kaklamanos, Bret Disend, and Matt Galle. Thank you to my publisher Sam Sklar! Thank you to my incredible photographer and creative queen Acacia Evans!
To the people who are about to press play on your project, what would you like them to know before they listen?
First of all, thank you so much for listening! These songs are truly pages ripped out of my diary for the past two years. I really wanted to be honest about what I was feeling especially while dealing with a chronic illness.
Can you share a moment in the creation of this EP that surprised you creatively?
Working with all women really allowed me to be my most vulnerable self. I normally am very good at hiding how I’m really feeling, Paige and Rena really helped me feel comfortable and seen! I’m so proud of these songs and how honest they are.
If you could put one sentence on a billboard for every young creative starting out, what would it say?
BE DELUSIONAL DARLING!
Is there any song on your project that came together extremely fast? Is there one that was a longer process?
They all came together pretty quickly!
What’s the backstory on how you got your Katy Perry cut as a songwriter?
My collaborators (Bruce Wiegner, Al Calderon, and Lucas Marx) on this song and I received a brief for the Pokemon 25th Anniversary soundtrack. At the time we didn’t know it was for Katy but we had a gut feeling it might be. We really wanted to capture that feeling of believing in yourself no matter what the odds are. The song came together during COVID so we really didn’t know how it was all going to play out. We sent the song in and kept hearing that our song was in the running to be chosen. When we found out Katy had cut the song it was absolutely surreal. Hearing her sing our song was truly incredible!
For anyone who’s new to your world, what does the color green mean to you?
Green is my armor. My safety net and also my confidence. It makes me feel like the superhero version of myself even when I'm not feeling my best.
What story or emotion do you hope listeners walk away with after hearing the full EP?
I hope listeners feel a little less alone!
After this EP launch, what’s the next challenge you’re most excited to tackle creatively?
I am so excited to work on my first full length album!!
How did your “aespa - Rich Man” cut come together?
I originally wrote Rich Man in 2019 as a song for my own project! I had no idea that the original demo was sent to AESPA’s team. After I had already released my own version of the song in 2024 we heard that they were interested in cutting it. The most important part of this song is the message, so i had no issue taking my version down. AESPA released “Rich Man” in late 2025 and it is so beyond cool having that message reach so many people!
During the creation of this EP, what’s something unrelated to music that you did to help recharge you creatively?
Walking!! Going for a walk always helps me clear my mind and re-center myself.
What is your ideal ratio of writing for pitch and writing for your own artist project? How does one side fuel the other?
It honestly really depends! When I’m writing for my project I try to do 70/30, 70 for my project and 30 for writing for pitch or with an artist/band. Most of the time I'd say it's about 50/50.
Any final words before we all dive into the new EP?
Thank you so much and I hope you all enjoy “Kissing Concrete!”