Spotlight – Brittany Kennell

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We Are Story Tellers

Spotlight - Brittany Kennell: Bridging Nashville Roots with Canadian Charm

In this edition of Spotlight – Brittany Kennell, we connect with the trailblazing singer-songwriter who’s redefining the country music scene with her soulful storytelling and authentic voice. As the first Canadian to compete on The Voice, Brittany has brought her unique blend of Nashville influence and Canadian heart to audiences worldwide. With songs that reflect her journey, experiences, and passion for empowering others, Brittany is a true testament to perseverance and artistry. Join us as we dive into her creative process, her latest projects, and what makes Spotlight – Brittany Kennell an unforgettable experience.

What sparked your interest in music?

I always loved how music connected people. I saw it early on at family parties where my Uncle would bring out his guitar, or the way it made my parents happy on car rides singing their favourite songs. I was intrigued by the melodies, the lyrics and just the overall joy music brought to people.

Who are some out of the box people you might have drawn inspiration from?

I’m not sure if it’s out of the box, but Bruce Springsteen is my absolute favourite. I draw a lot of inspiration from him not only as a songwriter and performer, but as someone who has had a long withstanding professional career in this industry.

You just released some new music. Can you tell us the story behind the album?

The album is finally complete! Phew! We released the original version back in April and added two new songs to release the Vinyl as a deluxe this past October. This album was three years in the making and came at a very important time in my life where I was making decisions that would create the path of my thirties. I was asking myself what do I want out of life? What kind of people do I want to be surrounded by? Not to mention acknowledging and taking accountability for some of the actions that I made that got me here in the first place.

I really wanted this album to reflect independence, self-awareness and finding my core values. I really hope people listen to this album and can find themselves somewhere among the songs – whether they are tired of waiting on someone in love, looking for that second change or just wanting a house and a dog – I hope they can stand up for what they want and deserve out of life.

How do you think your music has evolved over the years?

My music has definitely been fine tuned over the years. With every project, I’m trying to reach a new level of musicality and challenge myself with each song. I’m constantly in the state of trying to achieve perfection, knowing there’s another mountain to climb on the other side. Music is very much about the art first for me and connecting the lines between what I create, what I’ve experienced and how I can relate it to others.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned about yourself in your career so far?

The most interesting thing I’ve learned about myself is confidence. I never set out to be a performer or artist, for me it was always about the songs. So, whether it was getting up on stage, or putting a band together, performing a 90 minute set at a big festival or singing in front of 20,000 people on game night it just tells me that fear is an obstacle that I’m capable of overcoming to make my dreams come true; It just takes the confidence to believe in myself.

If you could take any song, you’ve written and turn it into a short film, which one would you choose, and what would the opening scene look like?

I’d love to turn Grand Marquis into a short film – I feel like this song carries a heavy story but only reflects the light at the end of the tunnel. This song is about a Grandmother who finally buys her dream car post divorce, so I imagine the short film would start with her early in life. Showing her falling in love, having expectations of a marriage and how that all plays out in real time.

Imagine you’re hosting a "Music Masterclass with Brittany Kennell." What’s the one topic you’d feel most passionate about teaching and why?

I would love to talk and teach about songwriting. I’m so passionate about the intricacies and the craft of a song. From the ideas, to the melodies for each word, the rhythms and production. There’s so much to explore there that I feel like I could spend hours dissecting songs.

Is there a specific place or moment from your travels that made you feel “I need to write a song about this”? If so, what was it, and how did it influence your work?

A specific place or moment from my travels that would be reflected in my songs is most likely my years spent in Nashville. I have so many wild stories from my early days there trying to make it. Waitressing, babysitting, working any odd job to make ends meat, all the while trying to meet fellow songwriters and write songs – the stories are endless and I feel like a lot of those experiences come out in my songs.

What do you do to stay grounded outside of music?

Spending time with my family is the best way to stay grounded outside of my career. I really try to keep my family life private and protect it. It’s very important for me to have the two separate because I’ve been in the position before where all my focus was career and I missed out on a lot of life. And unintentionally, the best part about all that is, is that when you live life, you have more to write about it when it’s time to be creative. The balance is extremely important.

Who plays you in the movie of your life?

What a fun question! I’ve never thought of that before.. I’m a big fan of Soirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Emily Watson – although none of them look like me! I just love their acting!

What is one thing you think should be asked more in an interview that isn’t asked enough?

All of your questions have been fantastic! I love going into depth about songwriting but also how I stay grounded outside of work. I’m generally a very private person which is hard in the age of social media so for me interviews is where I can really give a bit more insight on who I am.

If you could sit down with a younger version of yourself to listen to one of your songs together, which one would you play, and what do you think her reaction would be?

I love this question! It’s tough to say because I feel like some of my deeper songs like “Years” would be meaningful but I’m not sure younger me would understand what I’m talking about haha! I feel like something fun like “House and a Dog” would be more powerful to say “Look, we get to make music and it’s fun!” I think she would be inspired and excited to explore the career path even more.

If you are introducing your music to a brand new listener, what is the first song they should listen to?

The first song I would introduce a listener to is probably “Wait on You” – It’s one of my favorites and is really a solid foundation for the rest of the songs I have released.

What do you hope fans take away from your music?

I hope fans can find themselves in my songs and relate to them. I want to connect with people who have had a shared experience and need that song to get through the day or a breakup. Or a song to help them escape and have fun. I hope fans take away a lifelong friendship whether it be through the albums I release or the shows we get to share together.

What motivates you to keep perusing music?

What motivates me to keep pursuing music is definitely the people and the songs. Anytime I perform and see someone having a good time, or singing along to my lyrics it reignites my flame. I’m also always inspired by new music and old music – the feeling of joy it gives me makes me never want to stop.

Spotlight – Brittany Kennell has been a great chance to talk to a very talented artist! Big thanks to Brittany for taking the time to chat

Check out Brittany’s music here

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