Toronto’s Kendal Thompson finds her passion for music and health

For some, choosing a career can take half of their adult lives. With so many interesting choices out there, even professionals have been known to switch careers mid-stream on life’s journey. It is safe to say none of the above applies to Toronto singer, Kendal Thompson. At age three, Thompson already knew she wanted to be a singer. At 12, her passion for music was developing while taking vocal lessons in school. Later on, she picked up the guitar her father had purchased years earlier for ten dollars. Learning to play guitar and taking singing lessons naturally led her to further taking wing as a song writer, which has also taken her to the next level.

Growing up in the small town of Alliston, Ontario, which is about a one- hour drive northwest of Toronto, Thompson decided 10 years ago to make the move to Canada’s largest city to pursue her music career.

In a phone interview, the 30-year-old singer/songwriter talked about her up and coming music career and how fitness plays an important role in her active lifestyle.

In August, Thompson released her first single and music video, called ‘Human Feel.’ Her video is about gender expression, diversity and love. Thompson says, "Human Feel is a statement of the universal need for personal contact, emotional connection, and acceptance across cultural, ethnic, and gender boundaries.”

Thompson continues, "The message of Human Feel is clear: No matter who you are, what you are, or where you are, love and acceptance can define us as humans if we choose it. My music is wavy pop, with R&B undertones where there is a new Indie sound, not classic. It is a bit cooler (than pop), hip sound." Thompson’s inspiration comes from soul artists Lauryn Hill and Frank Ocean.

Her video for Human Feel was directed by Dylan Mitro, a Toronto based film director who previously shot videos for indie band, the Zolas. She is excited that the feedback from the video has been positive. Thompson is buoyed by her friends and industry professionals alike, who expressed their appreciation for the video.

For Thompson to keep her energy level always on a high note while performing, working out is essential. When asked her about her fitness regime, she said, "My favorite place to work out is at the Hourglass in Toronto. (It’s) is a boot camp, so it’s a different workout every day. Ideally I'd like to be able to work out about four times a week but lately it’s been a bit less, more around two to three times a week. I try not to pressure myself or stress myself out about it because I enjoy it and won’t ever stop working out."

On the subject of good nutrition and healthy eating, one of her favorite dishes, she says is: “I like making this spicy garlic pasta when I have a guest to cook for. It’s a recipe that was handed down to me by Michael Rault, who’s another awesome musician. It’s just lots of garlic, olive oil and chili flakes and spaghetti. I like to add shrimp to it as well and sometimes top it off with goat cheese.”

Thompson's music can be heard on itunes and Spotify and her first Extended Play, One was launched in 2015. www.runwithit.ca Twitter: @christineruns Instagram - runwithit_christineblanchette Youtube channel - runwithit