When I started with Smile Politely, I quickly learned about Kenna Mae Reiss. I would see them doing sound design at Rose Bowl Tavern for other artists, or doing a solo Americana set on the stage there. At my first Sweetmelk show I saw the raw, dynamic energy that explodes from their soul onstage, and it blew me away. I’ve seen their involvement with Girls Rock! Champaign Urbana, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls, non-binary youth, and trans youth through music education, further that organization’s reach in the community. I was in awe of their creative and emotional energy on and off the stage, and as I sat down with them for this interview, I wasn’t ashamed to say “You intimidate me a little.” Reiss laughed and put me at ease immediately as we settled in for an engaging and emotional conversation about their life and work.
Reiss, the creative force behind Sweetmelk, is no stranger to the complexities of artistic evolution. Their journey from solo artist to bandleader reflects a transformative process of self-discovery and musical experimentation. In a recent conversation, Reiss opened up about their personal growth, the influence of their band members, and the deeply intentional music they create with Sweetmelk — a project that defies easy categorization.
Sweetmelk has often been described as a post-genre band, a label that Reiss neither fully embraces nor rejects. “I don’t really think about it in that way,” they admit. “For me, it’s more about having players who are exciting to watch and excited to play. It’s about picking the players who can bring out the dynamic spaces we want to explore.” This organic approach has allowed Sweetmelk’s sound to evolve naturally, unconstrained by traditional genre boundaries. Reiss prefers to let their bandmates’ creativity guide the music, trusting them to “serve the song” and align with their emotional vision.
The band’s recent addition of Ori Sergel as the drummer has been a significant turning point. “She’s my bestie,” Reiss says with a smile. “Having that emotional security and safety is amazing. Ori comes from a jazz and metal background, which brings a lot of versatility and a fresh perspective to our music.” Their friendship has created a unique dynamic in Sweetmelk, allowing for more risk-taking and creative exploration. “We get to jump into the ethers — not just in our goofy conversations, but with blast beats and nasty guitar tones,” they add, clearly energized by their collaboration.
Local musician and CU Folk and Roots director Cody Jensen played a pivotal role in Reiss’s artistic and personal development. During their time in the band Relevator, Jensen set a critical boundary for Reiss: he would only agree to be their drummer if they stopped self-deprecating on stage. This ultimatum challenged Reiss to reconsider how they spoke about themselves, both in their music and during performances. “When you make yourself the butt of the joke, you’re giving everyone in the audience permission to do the same,” Jensen told them. This insight was transformative for Reiss, who realized the impact their words could have, not just on their self-esteem but on their audience as well. Jensen’s encouragement and professional approach provided Reiss with the affirmation they needed to take themselves more seriously as an artist, ultimately influencing the more nourishing and positive direction of Sweetmelk’s music.
Sweetmelk’s upcoming album, Playhouse, represents a new chapter in Reiss’s artistic journey. This project, they explain, is rooted in a desire to create “nourishing art” — music that allows listeners to process their emotions without self-vilification. “I don’t want to be the ‘sad girl with a guitar’ anymore,” Reiss confesses. “I want to make music that makes me feel good and that allows others to feel good, too.” The album’s tracks range from the soft and gentle to the fiercely confrontational, reflecting Reiss’ commitment to capturing the full spectrum of human emotion. “A really angry song can make you feel good because you need to let that anger out,” they explain. “It’s about catharsis.”
This shift toward a more positive and intentional artistic expression marks a departure from their earlier solo work, like their solo album Blue Darlin‘. Looking back, Reiss describes that period as one of immense pain and growth. “A lot of those songs were written during a really painful time,” they recall. “I was affirming a lot of self-hate, and those songs became very hard to play.” Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Reiss feels a sense of pride for their younger self. “I was a young kid being unapologetically myself,” they say, reflecting on their song “Trash,” which boldly challenged societal norms about female sexuality.
In addition to their work with Sweetmelk, Reiss is actively involved in the community through Girls Rock! Champaign Urbana. Their role on the board has deepened their commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for marginalized voices in the music scene. “Every show, we say, ‘Cunts to the front,’ which is my way of celebrating and protecting my fellow non-binary people, femmes, and trans babes,” Reiss shares. This mantra, inspired by Kathleen Hanna’s (of Bikini Kill) famous “Girls to the front,” underscores Reiss’s dedication to fostering a supportive and empowering environment at their shows.
Reiss’s involvement in Girls Rock! CU has also influenced their perspective on music education and empowerment. “It’s so fulfilling to see kids realize they can let it out and that it’s amazing,” they say. “Seeing that moment where music clicks with them, where expression clicks with them — it’s just awesome.” Their passion for mentorship is evident as they talk about the new after-school program the organization is launching. “I want to be that person who gives them confidence and then watch them explore it the way they want to explore it.”
Looking ahead, Reiss is focused on expanding their reach both as a solo artist and with Sweetmelk. They dream of touring more frequently and hope to continue building a strong local and online community around their music. With Playhouse set to release exclusively on Bandcamp, they aim to keep the project grounded in its local roots while reaching a broader audience. “I just want to keep playing,” they say simply, “and hopefully, my music can help bring people together, no matter their background or experience.”
Kenna Mae Reiss embodies the spirit of Sweetmelk: raw, dynamic, and ever-evolving. Their journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance is mirrored in the band’s music, which serves as both a personal catharsis and a communal experience. Whether they’re on stage or in the studio, Reiss is committed to making music that resonates on a deep emotional level, pushing the boundaries of genre, and fostering a sense of belonging and understanding among their listeners. As they continue to grow as an artist, there’s no doubt that their work will leave a lasting impact on the Champaign-Urbana music scene and beyond.
You can learn more about Reiss on their Facebook and Bandcamp, or Sweetmelk on Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp. You can also support Kenna and get access to exclusive music from them on their Patreon.
Sweetmelk’s new album Playground will be available exclusively on Bandcamp beginning midnight on Friday, September 6th. Purchasing the album on Friday ensures that 100% of the proceeds will go to the artist.
Sweetmelk Album Release Party with Emily the Band and Manifest West
Rose Bowl Tavern
106 N Race St
Urbana
F Sept 6th, 8 p.m.
$10