Music Q&A with Bre Kennedy

Singer-songwriter, Bre Kennedy has been busy this year! She recently released a new version of her song “Twenty Something (All or Nothing)” and earlier this year, she made her debut at Bonnaroo. In this Q&A, Bre talked about her song, her Bonnaroo experience, Tom Petty, and more!

Congratulations on the release of “Twenty Something (All or Nothing)”! What does the song mean to you?
Thank you! Releasing this new version of my song "Twenty Something (All or Nothing)" completely inspired a new take on my twenties. I originally released the one off my "Twenty Something" EP as a way of processing really face slapping/heavy moments from my twenties and this revamp is a celebration and honoring of getting through all of those. I love it.

You made your debut at Bonnaroo this year. What was your favorite part of that experience? Who was your favorite act to see?
Getting to perform at Bonnaroo this year was particularly special because of the renewed energy you could feel all around you.. because we all got to be back celebrating the festival and the music again. My favorite parts were running into friends on our way to different shows, getting to support and celebrate some of my friends like Joy O, Stephen Sanchez, Goldpark, Charlotte Sands and getting to cry my eyes out hearing Stevie Nicks sing my favorite songs. It was also so wild seeing people singing the lyrics to my songs. Really blew my mind.

Prior to signing to Nettwerk, you released some EPs and your debut album. How do you feel your songwriting has changed over time?
Oh man, my songwriting has definitely been a fun process to watch evolve over the last 3/4 years alone. My songwriting always moves with wherever I am at and with whatever I'm going through at that moment in my life, but seeing the songs like "Jealous Of Birds" grow into even more personal songs like "Intuition" & "Twenty Something" into having to create on my own & over a computer in the pandemic to create even more personal songs on my album "Note To Self" ...

I was forced to sit with my lyrics and couldn't rely on inspiration from the community and songwriters/musicians around me and crafted these songs in an even more fine tuned way that pushed me. My songwriting keeps evolving and growing with me.. it's really special... it's always with me as a way for me to keep growing in how I express myself.

What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
I would really love to learn the violin & cello. I have always been literally & spiritually moved by these instruments. They literally feel like the heart strings.

If you had a chance to interview any of your musical heroes, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Tom Petty. I would love to sit with him for a day and hear about his stories, his point of view because of and despite them. I'd love to be a fly on the wall to his songwriting process... and wish I could have met him. His songwriting had a big impact on me.

We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
I've been writing about this a lot recently. The space in between the two extremes of really good days and really bad ones. I think the more I grow up and into myself I always realize and remind myself "I'm going to be okay"... I always make it through to the next day and nothing is more important than the fact that I am healthy and get to be here... creating... working towards something... and growing. Easier said than done of course and so on the particularly heavy days I make sure to let myself feel it all, vent, cry, get it out and then I make sure to get outside, move my body & get fresh air in nature. Goals are a beautiful manifestation practice for me, but expectations can keep me from enjoying the little things that make life just as special as the big days.

Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Thank you for taking the time to shine light on my music and "Twenty Something (All or Nothing)". I just want anyone who might read this to know, you are loved, you are light, you are going to be okay. Growing up is wild, messy and painful sometimes, but it is all towards carving & creating the best version of you. Keep going and don't forget to stop to take in the little things, breath and fill your cup. You got this. x

Bre Kennedy on social media and digital streaming platforms:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud