Look out world, Twin Kennedy has arrived.
Despite just returning from a cross-Canada tour that included 47 radio station appearances in 45 days, 15 live acoustic shows and 14,000 kilometres logged on their vehicle, the twins are still in high gear and eager for their CD release show at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall on April 9.
“This CD release show is part of the Alumni Series and it’s so great to be back especially as alumni,” says Julie Kennedy, the violin playing half of the duet.
The identical twins, raised in Powell River and now living in Sooke, are proud graduates of the university’s music program.
“We love UVic, it has an amazing music program, we came here and fell in love with Victoria,” says Carli Kennedy, who plays guitar.
The two began playing piano at age five and were encouraged to pick their own instruments at age seven. “From seven on, throughout our childhood we played in a family band, all the community events in Powell River and Vancouver at the Variety Club Telethon – that was our big TV appearance,” says Julie.
Since graduating from UVic in 2008, where they studied everything from classical to jazz music, the pair have been performing and traveling together. In 2014 alone, the twins performed more than 60 shows and embarked on four tours, stretching from the Yukon and Northwest Territories to the Article Circle, Cape Breton to Iceland and Sweden.
“We hit a few storms back east so we’re happy to be back home,” says Carli.
“We’re so spoiled living in Victoria – it’s nice to see all of Canada, but it’s nice not to worry about winter tires,” says Julie.
“Or getting snowed in before a show,” Carli adds.
Over the last two years, the pair have written 100 songs and with the help of multiple award-winning country music heavy-hitter George Canyon and notable west-coast producer Graham Sharkey, narrowed it down to nine songs for their debut album as Twin Kennedy – It’s a Love Thing.
“It’s been so positive. It’s been a few years in the making and now we’re ready to put our music out there,” says Julie.
In addition to their continued touring, the sisters are ecstatic to have been selected to perform an official showcase during Toronto’s Canadian Music Week in May, and have just been announced as an opening act for Big and Rich at Merritt’s Rockin’ River Music Festival on Aug. 2.
“When it comes down to it, there’s nothing like performing in your own city,” says Julie. “Making an album is such a journey, it takes so much thought and so much time.”
Carli and Julie are thrilled to debut their CD at UVic where they say they received great training for their career in music. “We’re really excited to play at UVic in the theatre where we did our grad recital,” says Julie. “Our live show with a full band is definitely country but we’ll throw in some classical. It’s our journey from classical to country – we’ve come full circle.”
Buy the album twinkennedy.com, iTunes, Larsen Music, Stick in the Mud Coffee House in Sooke.
Twin Kennedy CD Release Concert
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria School of Music