18 Comments
Feb 18·edited Feb 18Liked by Jacqueline Rendell

Kevin, I am glad that your writing life is no longer dormant,

I know what you mean about showing up at a concert and thinking "Where have I been?" Although, I don't really go to concerts per se, but I feel that way every time I enter an ensemble of any kind.

I am listening to Cocteau Twins while I write this. Can you believe I never heard them before? This is beautiful. I love it.

You mentioned admonishing yourself for not being present at concerts. It sounds like time immersed in the music is vital to your general well-being.

Man, this Cocteau Twins music is soooo good. DANG.

I have been listening to Colors Studio for new musicians. It's on YouTube. I have a word dox of favorites to share. What I love about Colors Studio is the diversity of music.

Like, who knew I liked French Rap?

I will share it

Your story of people being dumped on for what they like, Kevin, that is true.

Especially if you like a lot of different styles from many parts of the world.

Sometimes people just have a visceral and negative response to a new sound.

It reminds me of that story of the Rite of Spring (if it's true - I don't trust history anymore without about ten days of research) But apparently, Stravinsky created a reaction in the crowd with his dissonance and they all started rioting. Sounds were played there that had never been played and supposedly people were triggered by that.

Sometimes, music is too complex for people right away and they need time to warm up to it.

Sometimes they will never understand it.

Maybe they just don't like it when their body vibrates that way.

I had to warn my audience today that sometimes we must sit in the dissonance before we can have a resolution, but if they will sit with me in the dissonance, I will carry them to that which they so desire.

And then I made them wait extra long. (oh, I play the piano for a nonprofit every Sunday)

If someone is brave enough to share Japanese Chicken Yodeling (looks at Rat @ratsays , was that you? Hahaha), if you don't like it, keep on walking.

(Note for Jacqueline,

By the way, I talked to my choir director this morning. He has recordings of me playing for a podcast we did for our place during the lockdowns.

I will be sharing those soon since I asked him directly and it's in his mind to hunt them up for me, I am excited to see what he has.)

I love that your focus is on sharing music, Kevin.

Being consistent can be difficult. I have committed to once or twice a month, to post.

That's the most I can handle at this time, but it feels good to have an expectation.

I know what you mean about feeling time passing when you haven't posted.

Kevin mentioned, 50 tabs open on the computer. Yeah, I recently decided that I need a second monitor. SHEESH. You remember what your friend said to you at such a young age, "Do you like Van Halen?" That's so cute :)

I have zero memory for stuff like that except for the boy I had a crush on saying to me "Hey, you know you're pretty".

And I said "yeah?"

And he said "Yeah, pretty ugly".

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhahha. I remember that.

Girl, you are cute in your shirt! I wanna dance with you! :) The way you laughed when school dances were mentioned was VERY TELLING :)

Buwahaha.

That's funny about the calendars and the best food based on how many calendars they have up.

You are humble, Kevin. You said "I am going to try to say this carefully, "....." I think I can write.." and convey my ideas....

I was waiting for a real horn toot. I mean, I am sure you can. I haven't been on your stack yet, but I am certainly headed that way soon.

I am glad you have a creative outlet.

We must all have them NOW. :)

Yes to "creating a connection between people" and using music it's even more impactful. We are vibrating together. That's magic.

Swapping tracks to make songs is cool. It's like the drawing game where someone gives you a doodle and you have to make a drawing out of it. Sometimes you can be even MORE creative that way because you HAVE to work with what you were given and it takes a lot of the pressure off to be amazing.

I have also never heard of Jawbreaker's 24-hour revenge therapy. I shall.

What a lovely podcast! I can't believe it's been one week. I was shocked when I saw another was out.

"I was like....what the heck?"

"Okay, I am in" *play

Now I am going to go get to work on my next project.

It's raining here

Happy rainy evening.

I love it when it rains and I have time to work.

PEACE.

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Oh Amy I love you!!!

Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, my beautiful sister!!! ❤️✨🎻💫🌟❤️

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I love it when you say that. I have an image in my next set of images that comes with this tagline "sister's take heart". You inspire me :)

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Can't wait to see what beauty you've created...xox

And I'm honoured.

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PS. I LOVE that you love the Cocteau Twins!! 🥰

So so so beautiful. I love it when it rains too! 😘😘😘

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Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed this, and really glad you've found Cocteau Twins--their discography is the best kind of rabbit hole. As for French rap? You've got my curiosity piqued with that one! Anyone in particular?

As for remembering something from so long ago; that's not the norm for me. At all. Lol. Usually, I'm the guy that spends a lot of time looking for his glasses only to realize I've been wearing them all along. But it was a huge event in my life, even if I didn't know it at the time.

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Ya I’m curious about the French rap too!

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I just finished a really long post or three and I have to pressure wash tomorrow and then go to choir practice!! I will dig into my word dox and supply you with a name on Wednesday. I have a couple to share.

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Okay guys. I grabbed you a French Rapper, a Rapper from Madrid and a few extra non rap selections:) They are all quite different. I have a whole Word doc of Colors Studio links. I just cruise through now and then and grab the ones I like so I can look them up later. There's about 50 in there. Haha.

Parisian Rappers

1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APbOJtRt__k&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=120

2)

Madrid rapper (he does this for an NPR tiny desk with horns behind him, but I like his little moves in this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxSE04guXIg&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=86

3)

Nadah El Shazly - Bānit | A COLORS SHOW - YouTube

I just find this performance really interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvRdjPgs9ig

4)

Juliana,

just an excellent performance overall. It picks up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPGFZIZpAeU&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=82

5) A sweet French Bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPWGcx6t-A4&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=168

6) Lundaria, (she doesn’t do what she is told)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEGDY55Qia8&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=105

7) This guy is a sweet guy/ sweet song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8lNUArJvvs&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=254

8) I found this guy interesting. It is odd, but I like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvY7VcZjiqI&list=PLWa4R2I19VH7Mtxo3VvqwnNlXgLpf4_d3&index=108

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Wow!!

Thank you so much, Amy! I’m impressed with your collection and am excited to check them out. ✨

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Feb 19Liked by Jacqueline Rendell

This was awesome. One of the things I like most about Kevin’s Substack, apart from his brilliant work, is the community that organically grew (and continues to grow) around it.

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Feb 19·edited Feb 19Author

I'm SO happy you enjoyed it (as much as I did!!) Andres. :)

I'm looking forward to being a part of Kevin's growing community of music-loving kindred spirits. Thanks so much for listening and taking the time to leave a comment.

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My pleasure — and thank you!!

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“Note for Jacqueline,

By the way, I talked to my choir director this morning. He has recordings of me playing for a podcast we did for our place during the lockdowns.

I will be sharing those soon since I asked him directly and it's in his mind to hunt them up for me, I am excited to see what he has.)

I forgot to reply to this- I’m excited to hear what he has, too! You playing piano must be an amazing thing.

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Once again, well done Jacqueline! So interesting! Gonna follow Kevin’s stack now…you guys are still so young and I don’t know much of that music you both spoke about 😫I’m so much older…time indeed, time to catch up (impossible!)

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Hahaha!! Thank you so much for watching and commenting, Cynthia!! Aging is a trip. I so appreciate you saying I’m “still so young”....because that number sure is getting up there!! 🤣🤣

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Just add another 10…or so; aging, I have a love-hate relationship with it 😭

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Fun interview! Big fan of Kevin's substack and it was great to learn more about his back story.

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