It’s been a busy year for Victoria’s Carli and Julie Kennedy.
The twin sisters have played shows all over B.C. and recently released their second EP, Small Town Stories. They’ll soon head east for the Canadian Country Music Awards and a stint in Nashville, Tenn., but before that they’ve got a special gig planned right here at home.
The show came about after the Kennedys attended the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference in Comox. That’s where the sisters met singer-songwriter Ellisa Hartman.
“We became instant best friends,” Julie said. “We like each other’s style of music. You know how you just meet people and hit it off? That was how it was with Ellisa.”
Hartman, originally from Victoria, but currently living in Campbell River, thinks the contrast between her folk/pop musings and the Kennedys’ toe-tapping country style will appeal to a broad audience.
“I’m hoping that it will satisfy the ADD culture people have today,” she said. “When I go to a show, I know that I have music ADD and I tend to totally stray when one band is playing for more than 45 minutes.”
Their respective genres aren’t the only difference between the two. “She would say she’s self-taught, and we come from a classical background,” said Julie. “I think it’s kind of fun to work with people who have different approaches.”
Fun enough that they’ve planned to sit in for at least a portion of each other’s set, though the twins may need to reign in their genetic advantage just a bit.
“We’re kind of on the same brain wave on stage,” Julie said. “When we play with other musicians, we have to remind ourselves, ‘Oh yeah, we have to put this into words. They can’t read our minds.’”
Hartman and the Kennedys will perform at Café Spresso, 645 Tyee Rd., at 8 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 2). Tickets are available at the door and cost $10, or $5 for children 15 and younger.
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