Review Fix Exclusive: Ted Kennedy Talks ’Not Enough’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Ted Kennedy, who discusses his career and hot new single, ‘Not Enough.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Ted Kennedy: I stumbled into it.  In public school I always found the required mandatory music classes boring, and was pretty terrible at them.  So for the longest time I just assumed that music wasn’t my thing. 

Then one night, my friend Mike and I were hanging out.  I can’t remember what we were doing, but for some reason I had my moms old barely playable acoustic guitar out.  Just before MIke  left,  he was like check this out, and he played the verse of Nirvana’s About A Girl.  I thought it was really cool, so he showed me the two chord progression.  I struggled with it for about a week, but eventually got it.  After that it was like a light went off, I thought  “Hey I think I can do this”.   

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Kennedy: I really love the first moment of inspiration.  I live for it. So mostly I try to be really open, and let the moment take me. I will normally try a few different things, chord progressions, riffs, rhythms,  melodys, and see what clicks.  When something resonates with me I just try to stay out of my own way,  let it happen, and not over think it.  Sometimes I get a complete song, sometimes I get half an idea, sometimes I just get a riff.  

After that I let it sit for a day or two, and listen back to it. If I decide I still like it, then the real work begins.  I can spend months working on arrangements, melodys, programing drums, picking the instrumentation.

My latest single Not Enough was like that.  It started pretty quickly with a riff off a 303 emulator a friend had loaned me. Most of the structure down in an hour or so, then I spent months tinkering trying to get everything thing sounding how I wanted.  
Review Fix: What inspires you?

Kennedy: I’m not sure I know.  There are moments when I feel like I have to write.  I get anxious, I feel like a horse biting at it’s bit, and won’t feel right until I sit down and play.   

There are other moments I will sit down and play and a torrent will come out of me, completely unexpectedly.  Lyrics, melodies, chords everything will just pour out. It’s not until it’s over that I realise that dealing with something.  I normally have to go back to figure out what I was feeling, which is kinda of strange, but also very cathartic. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Kennedy: I’m honestly terrible at this this.  I would say it’s has  an updated new wave/Depeche Mode vibe.  Hints of the old, with elements of the new.

Review Fix: What’s your standout track? How was it written?

All of them! Joking.  I’m really into my last Not Enough.  I have been really enjoying playing it live.  It’s a fun little pop song.

Review Fix: What makes your latest release a special one?

Kennedy: I think it’s special because it’s inspired by Toronto’s underground electronic music scene.  There is so much talent in this city, it’s incredible.  I been really lucky to be apart of it  through my monthly Frequencies.  Everytime I play Not Enough I think of everyone in the scene, working hard creating great music, and great community.  Makes me feel good.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Kennedy: Well they are more raw for sure.  I play lots of unreleased music.  Sometimes it’s barely finished, some of it may only be played once, some of it will be changed the next time you hear it. Which makes it exciting for me, and hopefully for the audience.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2019?

Kennedy: I have about 7-8 songs ready to go, and am working hard to get them released.  I’m also trying to play out more. 

I’m also working to grow Frequencies into a platform to showcase all the amazing talent we have in and around Toronto. It’s insane how overlooked we are right now.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Kennedy: Writing, producing, performing, and promoting.