Britt
and Carly McKillip – known as Saving Grace –
are only fourteen and sixteen years old and already
seasoned veterans of the music business. They have a
very clear idea of what they want and where they’re
headed, having cut their teeth on an eclectic mix of
music ranging from Patty Loveless to Michelle Branch.
These days, their dreams are as big as their talent.
Both Britt and Carly attribute their passion for music
to the influence and support of their parents, who work
in the industry: Lynda is a successful songwriter and
Tom is an award-winning country music producer, musician
and session player. Music has literally been a way of
life for them, and creative expression as natural as
breathing. Their comfort level on stage is quite evident,
probably because “When I was little, I just thought
everybody’s Dad got up on stage or went on television”,
as Britt explains. From the time she was able to belt
out a song for the captive audiences she drew –
even as a toddler – Britt’s career as a musician
seemed pre-ordained. She was always known as the “little
girl with the big voice” and has been practicing
her Grammy acceptance speech for as long as she can
remember. Carly has incorporated her eight year love
affair with the piano into the duo, and her mature playing
style, along with her smoky vocals, provide the cornerstone
of the Saving Grace sound.
The girls call Vancouver, BC home and have accumulated
an impressive list of credits despite their ages. The
Calgary Stampede, the Merritt Mountain Music Festival
and Canadian Country Music week are among the many events
they’ve performed at, opening for artists such
as Lisa Brokop and Keith Urban. Saving Grace has been
wowing audiences with their energetic performances and
stunning vocals, and was nominated for Horizon and Best
Group at the 2003 BCCMA Awards. Last September they
took home the Horizon Award for Best New Artist at the
2004 BCCMA Awards.
In addition to flourishing music careers, both sisters
have been acting for film and television since they
could talk – literally. Riding the wave of a surging
west coast film industry over the last decade, their
acting resumes reflect their level of talent and commitment
to the entertainment culture. In addition to a number
of movie projects, Britt has appeared as a series regular
in two seasons of the critically acclaimed ‘Dead
Like Me’, and has lent her voice to a number of
animations including ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’
as Sabrina, and Disney’s ‘Baby Loony Toons’
as Baby Lola. Carly’s most recent acting credits
include a recurring role on the ABC series ‘Life
As We Know It’, and a lead role in the recently
filmed pilot ‘Just A Phase’ for ABC Family
network.
What’s next for Saving Grace? The progress of their
musical careers to date has coincided with the many
universal challenges facing today’s teens - the
girls believe that it’s important to stand for
something. They have discovered a new passion in songwriting,
and are developing the craft with genuine depth, writing
songs that express what they’re experiencing at
this moment in their lives. Their influences span a
variety of genres and include a diverse range of artists
from Gavin DeGraw to Keith Urban. They’re also
in the process of searching out songs for their debut
album which is slated to begin recording this spring.
The girls feel that the music they want to perform is
very song-driven, and have listened to literally hundreds
in their quest to find ones which they can connect with
emotionally, and which reflect who they are. They’re
very excited about their first recording project, and
feel like it’s the next logical step in a career
that already has a great deal of momentum. As Carly
says, “Music is a great healing force, and that’s
something the world needs now more than ever. Even though
we’re young, I believe we have something to contribute,
and I don’t ever want to stop making music. My
life is a great place to be.”
For
more information on Saving Grace contact McKiller Music
(604) 466-1052 (604) 719-3969
themckillips@shaw.ca
