Kaleena Zanders once envisioned herself fronting a high-octane rock band. However, an unassuming part-time gig at a Trader Joe’s on Hollywood and Vine unexpectedly shifted her trajectory, steering her toward the vibrant pulse of dance music.

“A coworker mentioned that a DJ friend of his was searching for a vocalist,” Zanders recalls. “He asked, ‘Do you ever dabble in dance music?’”

At that point, she hadn’t. A native of San Jose, California, Zanders’ musical roots were firmly planted in rock, theater, and sports. Inspired by the raw energy of icons like Lenny Kravitz and acts ranging from Rage Against the Machine to Korn, she spent her college years fronting a band called Molder’s Lounge. After successfully bringing the group to Los Angeles for a high-energy set at The Roxy, she was hooked on the city’s electric atmosphere.

Following her move to L.A., the band eventually parted ways. Zanders briefly enrolled in the Musicians Institute, but soon pivoted to life as a yoga instructor—only to find her musical awakening waiting among the grocery aisles.

That initial dance collaboration, 2015’s “California” with producer SNBRN, became an overnight sensation, gaining further momentum via remixes from industry heavyweights Chris Lake and Matroda. “I was feeling quite disillusioned with music and on the brink of walking away when that took off,” she shares during our conversation at a bustling Hollywood cafe. “It was a total game-changer.”

Entering the dance scene was a steep learning curve. Zanders found herself inundated with requests from producers she didn’t recognize, often feeling pressured to adopt a “soulful, churchy” vocal style that felt inauthentic to her artistic voice. Compounded by industry politics and a lack of respect for her contributions, she began to distance herself from the collaborative circuit.

“I had to put up walls,” she admits. “The lack of transparency regarding splits and credit was exhausting. It felt like they wanted the voice without respecting the person behind it.”

However, the magnetic allure of the dance community kept her tethered. After experiencing the communal warmth of EDC Las Vegas in 2016, her perspective shifted. She realized she wanted to own her narrative, not just provide guest vocals. The pandemic provided the necessary stillness for her to finally take the reins.

Redefining Her Craft: Kaleena Zanders’ Rise

During the lockdown, Zanders taught herself to DJ, synthesizing her background in live performance with her vocal prowess. This hybrid approach led to a breakout 2022, featuring sets at Avalon and EDC Las Vegas.

Now, she has found her creative tribe, collaborating regularly with the likes of LP Giobbi and aligning with management that understands her rock-influenced sensibilities. Having found empowerment in the bass scene, she views her career as a rebirth. Her upcoming debut album, Anything Goes, arrives May 15 via Helix Records—a confessional, high-energy project that captures her growth from a hesitant guest feature to a formidable solo force.

“I am deeply grateful for the clarity this year has brought,” Zanders reflects. “I’m finally doing this on my own terms.”