ItB次元官网网址檚 a Friday night and a trio of musical buskers are plying their trade on the Inner Harbour as the summer sun begins to sink behind them.
This group has something special about them, something thatB次元官网网址檚 hard to describe outside of the fact their harmonies blend extremely well.
Then, before they launch into a Beatles song, lead singer and acoustic guitarist Caleb Kennedy lets the cat out of the bag for anyone just arriving. His musical mates are his kids: son Cairo, 15, is on the upright bass, while daughter Autumn, 18, sings some leads and provides backup vocals.
B次元官网网址淧laying with my kids is probably the most rewarding bit of music I do,B次元官网网址� Caleb said later, noting that heB次元官网网址檚 played four years on the harbour with his children. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 just something special about playing with your kids.B次元官网网址�
Involved in local bands for a number of years, Caleb these days sings and plays guitar with the all-original unit Weak Patrol, and plays bass and keyboards with another original band, Fortune Killers, which played during the Canada Day festivities.
With dadB次元官网网址檚 influence, music has long been a constant around the Kennedy familyB次元官网网址檚 Victoria West home. A teacher at Vic West elementary, Caleb used to spend his off time working at summer camps. While he enjoyed it, he got into busking as a more fun way to earn summer cash and spend more time with his kids.
B次元官网网址淚t started out with me busking and they would just watch the jugglers and join in for a song or two,B次元官网网址� he recalled. Once Autumn and Cairo got older and had honed their musical skills more, they slotted right in.
B次元官网网址淛ust the whole visual spectacle of a family playing together was cool,B次元官网网址� Caleb said. B次元官网网址淔or me it was like, I donB次元官网网址檛 have to be out working for eight hours, we can do busking for a couple hours in the morning, then maybe go to the lake.B次元官网网址�
Autumn recently graduated from Esquimalt High, where she was involved in everything musical, from choir and R&B band to musical theatre and singing with the jazz band.
Making music with her dad and brother hits the right note with her.
B次元官网网址淓ven before busking, my dad would perform with us constantly,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a huge part of the household, if weB次元官网网址檙e not singing weB次元官网网址檙e listening to music.B次元官网网址�
Cairo began playing electric bass at age 10 or so and picked up standup bass a couple years later B次元官网网址� before he could actually reach all the notes B次元官网网址� as the City of Victoria has a no amplification rule on the harbour.
HeB次元官网网址檚 also having fun with the family band as part of his musical training. B次元官网网址淵ou get to do a lot of stuff that most people donB次元官网网址檛 get the opportunity to do by playing music together,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ecause of all the stuff we do, we end up going to a lot of shows and festivals and hearing music together.B次元官网网址�
The siblings also have their own rock band, The Colts, which is made up of neighbourhoood friends and schoolmates from Esquimalt High. Caleb manages the group and helps get them gigs.
While dad and the kids do their own things musically, they often collaborate on songwriting.
And, of course, if there ever an issue with finding those elusive harmonies, they can turn to each other for help.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like when you play with your family B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a connection,B次元官网网址� Autumn said. B次元官网网址淥nce youB次元官网网址檝e performed with someone you grew up your entire life with, you donB次元官网网址檛 have to look at each other to know whatB次元官网网址檚 coming up.B次元官网网址�
Dad pointed out the coolest part about all this is that they play together not just because theyB次元官网网址檙e his kids, B次元官网网址渂ut because they sound really good.B次元官网网址�
