Carli and Julie Kennedy

It’s like seeing double. Carli and Julie Kennedy are a Canadian powerhouse duo with a musical bond that only identical twins can share. With Carli on vocals and guitar and Julie on vocals and violin, they have developed a sound that is all their own: a fusion of their background in country, folk, jazz, and Celtic music. Originally from the small town of Powell River, these sisters are known for their exceptional harmonies, fine musicality, and sincere songwriting style. An undeniably energetic duo, the Kennedys’ performances bring a mix of toe-tapping tunes and intimate, heartfelt songs to the stage. Carli and Julie have been making music together for as long as they can remember. They started piano lessons at five years old, and three years later discovered the guitar and violin. Needless to say, there was always plenty of music in the Kennedy household. Carli and Julie spent many years honing their skills in a family band, playing country music and fiddle tunes at community events. Taking their musical aspirations to the next level, the sisters entered the School of Music at the University of Victoria and both graduated with their Bachelor’s degrees in music performance in 2008. Their classical chops took them far – Julie was named Concertmaster of the 2007 National Youth Orchestra of Canada and Carli’s guitar playing achieved third prize at the Canadian Nationals – but they both felt their true country and folk roots calling. They released their first EP of four original songs produced by Adrian Dolan (The Bills) in 2008 and continue to receive airplay on CBC Radio. This summer, the sisters recorded their second EP, “Small Town Stories”, with the 2011 BCCMA Producer of the Year, Paul Shatto (The Higgins), in Vancouver, BC. Carli and Julie have been featured at numerous events and festivals including the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Islands Folk Festival, Sunshine Music Festival, and Victoria Jazz Festival International. In 2010, Carli and Julie were both accepted on scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music; however, the girls declined the offer in order to focus on their new record. 2011 has been an exciting year for the duo. The Kennedys have been featured at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, Mission’s Envision Twilight Concert Series, Vancouver Island Music Business Conference, Butchart Gardens Summer Concert Series, and the BC Country Music Association’s Songwriters Showcase. The twins recently returned from their first trip to Nashville, Tennessee, where they worked with multi Juno-nominated and CCMA award-winning songwriter, Tim Taylor, and multi Music Nova Scotia award winner and East Coast Music nominee, RyLee Madison. They will be returning to Nashville this January to be featured as the SOCAN Artist of the Month on the Billy Block Show. Reviewers, colleagues, and audiences alike describe Carli and Julie as “fine players and truly communicative performers.” This dynamic duo is winning over a wide range of audiences with maturity beyond their years as instrumentalists, vocalists, and songwriters. With a musical connection reminiscent of other Canadian family groups, such as Leahy and The Rankins, audiences are falling in love with the music of Carli and Julie Kennedy.

Band Members

Carli Kennedy: vocals and guitars
Julie Kennedy: vocals and violin