After travelling across North America and winning multiple awards, the Kennedy twins will be returning to their hometown of Powell River for the first time in three years to perform at Sea Fair’s 50th anniversary.
“We used to play the Rotary stage at Sea Fair with matching outfits that our mom would sew for us,” recalled Julie, laughing. “It’s just going to be fun to come back a little bit more grown up.”
The twins grew up learning and playing music in Powell River, and then went on to earn degrees in music at the University of Victoria in 2008.
After deciding to return to their country roots, the duo has made much progress. In 2012, they were nominated for five BC Country Music Awards, and won two Vancouver Island Music awards.
The pair also attended the Canadian Country Music Awards for the first time. At the awards, they made connections with many Canadians working in Nashville, Tennessee, and decided to spend some time there. Now, the twins have spent a total of four months down south, writing, recording, and performing.
“Nashville is the hub of country music,” explained Carli. “We just couldn’t get enough, so we just keep on going back and forth.”
The duo are planning to set up a permanent part-time home in Nashville next year. While in the area, they spend most of their time working on their music. “I think we’ve probably written close to 100 songs out of all our Nashville trips,” said Julie. They work with one or two co-writers, people Julie called “the best songwriters in the world,” to develop material.
With all their new tunes, the twins are planning to put out their first full-length album in 2014. A tour across North America and over to Europe to promote their new work is in the planning stages, together with a stop on familiar turf. “We’re definitely coming to Powell River,” added Carli.
Also in the future are province-wide showcases in Ontario and Alberta, as well as another tour in October. Then, the Kennedys will represent BC during Canadian Country Music Week in 2014.
The sisters also recently completed their Classical to Country Tour from February to April. The tour visited BC, Alberta and Ontario. In addition to performing, during the tour the girls ran workshops to teach young and upcoming artists. “It was especially a milestone for us,” said Carli. “We’ve always wanted to give back to the community as well as just performing.”
But although they travel across North America, for the sisters Powell River will always be a monumental influence.
Their second EP Small Town Stories, released in 2011, is heavily influenced by hometown living. “It’s made up of tunes that are mostly inspired by life in Powell River,” said Julie. She added that the pair are excited to have that EP together with their self-titled EP released in 2008 available at Sea Fair.
Carli credited small town supportiveness as the reason the twins made it so far in music. “We always felt really inspired by the community support,” she explained. “As small town girls, it gave us a chance to live in a place where we were embraced by the musical community.”
The girls like to promote the city wherever they go, calling themselves Powell River ambassadors. “All around North America, there’s always someone who knows or who’s heard of it,” said Carli.
Both girls say that the classical training they received as children in Powell River has given them an edge. “It definitely gives us a unique sound,” said Carli, speaking of how the duo fuses their country music with classical style. “It’s just who we are, so if that sets us apart, that’s wonderful.”
The Kennedys said they’re just happy that their unique combination—Carli plays guitar and Julie plays fiddle, mandolin, and bass guitar—has allowed them to do what they love.
“It’s our dream to be doing music full time as our career, and it’s really exciting that we’re doing that,” said Julie.
The twins will be performing at 8 pm at the Rotary Pavilion during the Sea Fair celebrations on Saturday, July 27. For a closer look at the Kennedys, interested readers can visit their website.
