Chayce Kennedy knows what she’s after — in more ways than one. As someone who’s been in love with music ever since could reach the keys on the piano, the emerging B.C. singer-songwriter — who premiered her 2022 single and video No right HERE — keeps her artistic and career goals clearly in focus. But on her latest single Mr. Super Fine, well, let’s just say she’s not exactly all work and no play. “This song is about the feelings that come out when you’re looking for your perfect someone,” she admits. “I wanted to explore that spark that hits you when you don’t know exactly where things will go, but just the thought of being with them is magical enough for right now.” On the less-magical side of things, Kennedy — who opens for The Good Lovelies Oct. 26 in Lake Country — foolishly decided to wade through my dumb questions. If that doesn’t extinguish her spark, nothing will:
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base and any other details you’d care to share — height / weight / identifying marks / astrology sign / your choice.
My name is Chayce Kennedy, I am 19 years old and live in Penticton, B.C. My biggest dream is making a life filled with music!
What is your musical origin story?
I grew up playing the piano from a very young age. Eventually I started to sing while playing the piano and would search up chords and lyrics to play some of my favourite songs. My parents then put me in vocal and piano lessons where I learnt way more about singing and piano to build up my musical knowledge. At 13, I started training classically with Lynne Leydier, an excellent vocal coach in Penticton. I trained with her for four years and competed in Kiwanis Music Competition and got chosen to represent Penticton three times in the provincials. I competed in classical as well as musical theatre and I really, really enjoyed it. My passion grew as I got older and after attending a Taylor Swift 1989 concert with my mom, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. I am very fortunate to have such supportive parents on my music journey and I am extremely grateful as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
What’s your latest project?
I have been working on a five-song EP with Ryan Stewart and Brian West since February. I’m releasing different singles from this project until the EP drop next year. The first single Mr. Super Fine is out now!
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
I write all my own songs and music from personal struggles, thoughts, and experiences. I think it makes my music way more personal — for me as an artist to create, and also for listeners who know that it’s all straight from me.
How will my life improve by listening to your music?
I want you to relate to my songs and the topics I write about and maybe, just maybe, be inspired, too!
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played.
The first song I wrote was called Haunted Love. I wrote it in my bedroom one morning before school. I remember coming out of my room and hopping on our piano upstairs to put chords to what I just wrote. It was such an incredible feeling knowing I just wrote my first song. My parents both sat there and listened — they were so excited for me! The first thing they said is that I needed to get that song to the studio and that is in fact what we did! My first studio experience was with Haunted Love, and I went to a local recording studio in Kelowna. It was a very exciting time. I ended up releasing it on Halloween, as it was kind of a spooky tune with a video to accompany it.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you have given?
The most memorable performance I’ve ever done was playing with my band at our house gig, where we played country every Sunday at The Barking Parrot at a big lakefront resort in Penticton. It was a long weekend, the floor was packed, people were dancing and singing along, the band was having a blast, we had stage sparklers, and everyone just seemed so happy. It was a very good night. One I’m going to always remember!
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you’ve seen?
The most memorable performance I’ve seen was when I went to Taylor Swift’s Eras show in Seattle with my mom. Taylor put on an absolutely extravagant show and the whole vibe was insane. The moment she stepped out on stage, the stadium went wild and the feeling was like no other. It was truly so inspiring.
What living or dead artists would you like to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with Taylor Swift as her songwriting is exceptional as well as Sia, as I know she writes all her own songs as well as other songs for artists. They are both insanely talented songwriters, singers and performers.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
I really quite like inspirational orchestral music — I find it very uplifting. One of my favourite songs I have come across is Con Moto by Hania Rani and Dobrawa Czocher.
What words do you hope people use when they describe you?
Talented, bubbly, hardworking, enthusiastic, passionate, outgoing, inspirational, thoughtful and kind.
What useful (or useless) skills do you have outside of music?
My parents have a surf boat, so in summer, I surf behind the boat lots! It’s so fun!
What do you collect?
I don’t know if this counts, but I love clothes and shoes!, so I guess you could call me a collector of way too many clothing pieces and shoes.
If money was no object, where would you live?
I am not sure where I would want to live as I love many places, but wherever I would be, I would want my home to be on the lake or ocean.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness / total misery?
Perfect happiness is getting to do what I love and am passionate about every single day.
What are you afraid of?
I have many fears as I am a worrier, but my biggest fear is not fulfilling my full potential.
What’s your motto?
Always work hard. And treat others how you want to be treated.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
Greek yogurt.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
The stress I put on myself.
What’s the silliest thing you believed as a child?
Hospitals are bad and scary.
What was your favourite class in school and why?
I really enjoyed English. I love writing and in English you get to write lots! So it was a good time.
What’s the best and / or worst advice you were ever given?
Best advice would be being told, “You can achieve anything if you work hard enough and are passionate.”
Watch some of Chayce Kennedy’s videos above, sample more of her music below, and find her on her website, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.
