James Kennedy is a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, author and podcaster from South Wales, UK. Formerly the singer / guitarist in the alternative rock band KYSHERA for ten years, Kennedy has a wildly eclectic back catalogue including noise music, acoustic, prog rock, grunge, punk, experimental electronic and orchestral music. Since 2023 Kennedy has fronted the alt rock band, James Kennedy and The Underdogs featuring Jack Davies on Guitar, Elliott Blake on Bass and Aggy Nowicka on Drums. The band have shared stages with The Meffs, Ginger Wildheart, Marisa and The Moths, Black Orchid Empire, Amongst Liars and others.
Lyrical themes throughout Kennedy's work include overt political & social commentary, death, meaning, love, vice & empowerment and he is an energetic & captivating performer having toured relentlessly for many years throughout many countries.
Kennedy has had articles published on a range of subjects including the music industry, mental health & politics and he has spoken in the House of Lords, the Wellcome Centre and several universities and music conventions. He has featured in NME, Guitar Magazine, Metal Hammer, LouderSound, PRS Magazine, The Big Issue and countless others.
His first book 'Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog', a 'part memoir, part expose of the music worlds murky underbelly' was published in 2020 and became a #1 Amazon Best Seller in several categories. His 2nd book, 'Loud Medicine: Dispatches From the Music Industry Underworld' was published in 2025 on a University press.
His debut album with the Underdogs, 'Make Anger Great Again' was a political Alt Rock tour de force and will be followed by the brand new ‘Rebel’ due for release in 2026.
As host of the James Kennedy Podcast, Kennedy interviews activists, politicians, academics and rock stars each week about the issues of our times. Previous guests include Jeremy Corbyn, Stella Assange, The Darkness, Enter Shikari, Tim Spector, Sarah Wilson, Man With a Mission, Joseph Jebelli, Frank Turner and many others.
His official website is: www.jameskennedyofficial.com
