Kendall Patrick calls performing at Indie Week Canada the biggest opportunity she’s had in music.
And from Oct. 16-20, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter will be in Toronto, showcasing for industry professionals and other musicians with her band, the Headless Bettys.
“I say that [it’s the biggest opportunity] because it looks really good on paper,” said Kendall, who is from Ladysmith and now lives in Nanaimo. “I don’t know what will happen or if anything will happen, but on paper, that’s going to help me get into other festivals. Building a resume is big on the business side of it; it gives you credibility.”
Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys is Patrick on guitar and vocals, Lena Birtwistle on piano, guitar and vocals, Brent Chauvin on bass, and Caleb Burness and Brendan Holm on drums. While there are two drummers, Burness (who is also a member of Skellig) will travel to Indie Week.
Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys found out Aug. 15 that they had been accepted to Indie Week 2013 through Sonicbids. Patrick was sitting in a meeting when she received the e-mail.
“I should have been paying attention, but I decided to check my phone for some reason,” she said. “I was so excited, and I had to hold it in for 10 minutes. After the meeting, I told my friend, and we were jumping in the street. We were so excited.”
In Toronto, the band will get to play two 30-minute showcases for managers, booking agents, music publishers, people involved in licensing and other musicians.
“I think that being accepted into one of the business-oriented festivals is really a reflection that I’ve reached a certain level of professionalism, and that gives me a lot of validation and encouragement to continue to commit to this as my priority in life,” said Patrick. “It is really great that I get to bring my band too because having a band packs such a bigger punch in a performance. I really value being in a band too.”
Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys formed a year and a half ago. Birtwistle was hosting Lena’s Living Room at the Duncan Garage Showroom, and she invited Patrick to perform, and Patrick says that after a few times, they thought it would be fun to try to do more together. The band evolved in a pretty organic way.
Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys have launched an indiegogo campaign to raise money to travel to Toronto, pay for accommodations, get around while in the city and rent equipment for their showcases. They’ve set a goal of $6,000, and as of Monday morning, they had raised nearly $2,200. The campaign closes Oct. 16, and people who donate can receive a variety of “perks,” such as albums, handmade T-shirts, handwritten lyrics, and living room concerts.
Patrick says it’s been heartwarming to see how people have gotten behind their campaign.
“It’s just so touching to have people care that much to actually contribute their money or time or attention,” she said. “I can’t control what people like and don’t like, so it’s out of my hands. I just feel incredibly blessed and humbled every time I’m shown support and love.”
To support the band, click here.
