Interpreting the national anthem combines the two great passions of Brittany Kennell, music and hockey. Sing for the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night was also synonymous with homecoming for the country singer from Beaconsfield, having spent the last ten years in the United States, including seven in Nashville.
It was in a Bell Center free of spectators because of sanitary measures that she sang acapella the O Canada opening the game between the Habs and the Vancouver Canucks, which ended in a seventh victory for Claude Julien’s troops this season.
“I am a great fan of Canadians for a long time. When I was little, I watched the games with my father. A passion for the team, but also for the city. There is something nostalgic about me, ”says Brittany Kennell.
After her very first performance of the national anthem in both official languages before a National Hockey League game in 2016, she was called to perform again this past season following an audition.
“This year they called me to come back. I am therefore in rotation with the two other singers assigned to the national anthem, confirms the 32-year-old artist, delighted. When I returned to Montreal, I wanted to do something for my return. I told myself that coming back to sing for the Canadiens would be a continuation of my dream. ”
“When I sing, it’s for the Canadiens fans, to be together, especially right now with COVID.”
Brittany Kennell
Bring together
For the one who made a name for herself as the first Canadian to take part in the popular show The Voice in the United States, preparing for a live performance involves hours of practice, but also an ability to ground yourself in the moment.
“I exercise every day and I do vocalizations. There is a lot of nervousness when it comes time to sing, which is why I practice meditation regularly. I’m here to deliver a solid performance and that’s my focus. Be there for fans also that’s really important to me, says Brittany Kennell.
We’re all apart, so I want to make it feel like we’re together. It is a moment for all those here in Quebec who are at home with the curfew. ”
The singer-songwriter, who launched the song Eat Drink Remarry in February 2020, followed by You Don’t Get Me Stoned this summer, says she is more inspired than ever. While the release of her first EP bringing together a few tracks was initially planned for last fall, all the new material she has recently composed pushes her to prepare an even more substantial album.
“We were working on samples and it was supposed to be an EP, but I write a lot of songs with COVID. So we turned to an LP and the album is coming in spring or early summer, ”she announces. Stressing in closing that composing in French is indeed part of his projects.
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