Singer Candice Sand says travelling along the road to success she’s bound to come across a few speed bumps but she’s learning to take life’s surprises in stride.
“I’ve thought a lot about struggles but I try to keep an optimistic attitude about everything,” said Sand. “I can’t even say that I’ve experienced a setback; some things just go a little bit slower than expected but that’s just a natural part of life.”
Sand is bringing her acoustic show to Voodoos in Penticton on Monday, Aug. 18
The Melville, Sask., native, who now calls Toronto home, is making her first visit here.
“I’m excited to explore the city and the other places along the way as I make my way to Vancouver,” she said.
It’s part of a 14-stop tour of Western Canada, which began in Saskatoon on Aug. 11 and wraps up in her hometown on Aug. 30.
She discovered her interest in singing when she was eight years old.
“I had a solo in an elementary school play and I started taking singing lessons after I did that performance,” said Sand.
She also competed in singing and talent competitions throughout Saskatchewan and when she graduated from high school, she decided to continue as a singer.
“I am kind of very decisive that when I want something, I make it happen,” said Sand, who studied opera for two years before moving to Edmonton where she graduated from a two-year vocal performance program.
Sand also started songwriting and then moved to Toronto where she’s been building her musical career. She’s teamed up with Grammy and Juno-nominated producers Kuya Productions Inc for the release of her new album, Against Concrete Walls which came out July 29.
Early into her career, Sand is pleased with her progress, even though uncertainty can be waiting around the next corner.
“I find that there’s a lot of excitement and a sense of adventure in the unknown but at the same time, there is a part of me that’s just like, ‘I don’t know about this,’” she said. “I always just tell myself that any time I’m trying something new, the hardest part is jumping in and then the rest just seems to figure itself out.”
That said, Sand likes to map out the journey ahead of her as opposed to winging it.
“I always have a plan, so for sure for the next six months I have a plan,” she said. “I have an idea of where I want to be in five years from now, in two years from now. I always allow it to change and things like that as different things happen and depending on where things lead me but I”m always thinking.”
Sand’s musical influences include: Natasha Bedingfield, Nikka Costa, Alicia Keys, Emeli Sande and Joss Stone all of whom she feels are strong and beautiful women with equally strong words and voices.
Many of the top pop artists of the 1980s also shaped her singing style, from groups such as The Bangles, The Go-Gos to Debbie Gibson and Paula Abdul.
As she continues to develop her skills, Sand would like to branch out and take her talents south of border to the United States and also explore the R & B and pop music scene in United Kingdom.
Regardless of how her career unfolds, Sand plans on making the most of everyday.
“Ultimately, I’m going to do what I love,” said Sand. “I just want to end up happy and fulfilled.”