Via Community News Service, in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton.
Conversation bubbled and voices sang along at the West Rutland American Legion recently as Jack Fortier and Kylie Duel launched into a set of seasoned classics — covering artists like Chris Stapleton, Fleetwood Mac and Tyler Childers.
The two West Rutland High School musicians, known as Table for Two, have turned their love for music into something more, packing local venues and raising money for their senior class.
Based in West Rutland, Table for Two formed after the dissolution of a previous group.
“We were in a band that pretty much just jammed. We had nothing set up,” Fortier said. “We sounded good. It fell through because no one had time for anything. We (later) started a West Rutland-based band, which was Past Tense.”
Eventually, they decided to branch off and explore their talents as a duo.
“(Jack) was, like, we should abandon Past Tense and just do our own thing,” Duel said. “I was, like, yeah, after all of our gigs are done.”
Their first show as a duo, though without a name yet, resulted in immediate positive feedback.
“At our first show at the Coffee House, we didn’t really have a name, but everyone loved us,” Fortier said. “Three months later, here we are.”
Other venues have seen similar reactions, with more audience members coming to watch regularly.
“They’ve contributed in a good way,” said Jade Jamieson, a server at the Blue Cat Bistro in Castleton. “They always bring their crowd with them — people that don’t expect live music end up staying. They liven up the place.”
Spectators have been continuously impressed with their performances, interested in how they bring their talents together. Heads turned quickly when both musicians began exchanging instruments for songs like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Duel executed the popular harmonica line, while Fortier covered the guitar and lead vocals.
“I knew how well they can play guitar, but I wasn’t expecting just how good their set was,” said supporter Tori Raymond. “They play well off of each other and their voices combine really well — and Jack is just incredible at guitar.”
Once they established their name, Fortier and Duel began using their shows to support their school’s senior class.
“The first show here (at the West Rutland American Legion), was about a month ago. It was a fundraiser to raise money for their senior trip,” said Keith Fortier, Jack’s father.
“They raised like $700 in a two-and-a-half-hour gig.”
Despite the challenge of balancing school, sports, jobs and a band, the two have managed to keep playing regularly and attracting new audiences.
“(Kylie’s) always working, so we end up practicing in school once, sometimes twice a week,” Jack Fortier said.
Keith Fortier spoke about how much he has enjoyed watching the duo progress.
“It’s a proud dad moment, you know, starting with building the studio with Jack in the basement and just watching him blossom from there,” he said. “It’s something that he wanted to do, we made it happen, and it just exploded.”
He also reflected on the duo as individuals, talking about who they are outside of music.
“I think it’s important for people to know how heartfelt each of them is,” he said. “They’re kind, caring individuals.”
Music has always been a part of their lives. Though picking up the guitar at different ages, both have continued learning new instruments to expand their talents across different genres and eras.
“I started playing guitar in seventh grade, and I thought I would pick up girls,” Fortier said. “And then in freshman year, I was at (Mount St. Joseph Academy), and I learned how to play bass, drums and keyboard on the spot, taught them to my friends, and had a makeshift band for like six months.”
Duel took a similar path.
“I’m self-taught on the guitar, drums, bass, and I started playing the banjo at the beginning of this year,” she said.
Their style has evolved from rock to an acoustic-country blend, with the addition of some new harmonies and personal twists on songs like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.
“Our portfolio focuses on duo rock, country, acoustic,” Fortier said. “Originally, I was, like, we should do more rock and roll and transpose it into acoustic — like MTV Unplugged style — but now we do country mainly.”
Outside their performances as a duo, Duel and Fortier also play in their high school’s student ensembles, including traditional band. While their personal style leans acoustic-country, they continue exploring different genres in and out of school.
Finding their sound has been a turning point, sparking creativity and inspiring them to write original music.
“We have one song in the works. Whether or not it’ll actually get finished is another question,” Fortier said.
“I think Phil Henry and Tyler Serrani are our big influences,” Duel said. “They’re both local artists, and they get out there and do huge things. Tyler plays in Burlington and Henry plays in festivals all around New England.”
Henry, who also is music director at West Rutland High School, said it makes sense Duel and Fortier are making music together, noting the two have been students in the music department for a long time.
“The way we do it at West Rutland is, we train kids to take music outside of school and into the world in ways that they are passionate about,” he said. “Both of them showed a clear passion for music. My hope is that when students graduate, music continues to become important to them.”
While Table for Two has found success, it hasn’t been without setbacks.
“It’s been hard finding places to get gigs,” Duel said.
“We went through a month where we didn’t have anything, and all of the sudden we got asked four times in two weeks,” Fortier added. “Now we’re going back to the same place for the fourth time.”
Despite challenges, the response from supporters has spoken volumes.
“We played at an open mic in Poultney, and we sold the place out, like completely,” said Fortier. “There were people coming in just to have dinner, and they were saying there was an hour-and-a-half wait.”
The future is still uncertain, but the duo continues to think about their next steps.
“I think we’re just going to ride it out until either one of us moves away, or we get really famous,” Duel said.
Duel’s mother, Danielle Duel, loves what the duo has created together.
“They’re two very talented kids that found each other and made it work. I hope to see them go places, but I also see them making career choices,” she said.
They plan to continue performing and even compete against other local musicians.
“We are playing in battle of the bands. That’s probably our biggest event so far,” Fortier said.
Looking back, Duel and Fortier reflected on how far they’ve come and how much they’ve grown as musicians.
“Chase your dreams,” Fortier said, reflecting to his younger self. “I never thought I’d be doing this at 17 years old. So, if I were to go back in time and tell my younger self one thing, it’s don’t stop playing.”
“I’ve wanted this for a long time, and I am glad that I’ve achieved it,” Duel said.
Find Table for Two on Instagram and TikTok at @not_table.for.two