Artist of the Day | KENNY KIRKWOOD

ARTIST OF THE DAY

04.10.2021

KENNY KIRKWOOD

LOCATION

Toronto, ON, Canada

GENRE

Soul Rock

 

CURRENT MEMBERS

Kenny Kirkwood
Alana Bridgewater
Carlie Howell
Dave Clark
Michael Occhipinti
Andrew Downing

With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt? 

In a bachelor pad in Hamilton Ontario, teaching lessons and collaborating with amazing Indigenous
musicians, language speakers, historians and educators. I learned that our Canadian identity on Turtle
Island is born and bound by legal agreements with wise Indigenous treaty partners that are about friendship, respect, peace and sustainability. Concerned that Canadians aren't taught this, I studied the Truth and Reconciliation Report, and engaged more with Indigenous organizations and people. It enriched my life. I came to understand that we can move forward together in a good way, so that all children can have a better future.

How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?

The pandemic inspired me to implement my current album project DEBWEWIN: 13 songs for 13 Moon, to honour the lunar calendar and the 13 Grandmother Moons of the Anishinaabe people in the region where I am settled. Debwewin is an Anishinaabemowin expression referring to one's "heart-truth" and our relationship to the drumbeat of mother earth. The pandemic created an opportunity to collaborate online, musically, professionally and personally, with a growing network of Indigenous and settler allies who care for the earth. Found a lot of recipes for resilience, ongoing self-care and joyful community building.

What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?

Playing music has always supported my mental health and it's true for many. Releasing the music I have now is also healing because it expresses my hopes, dreams and possibilities of what could be a better world for all our children. I feel my responsibility as a musician is to share the good vibes that flow through my heart, body and mind. Guided by Turtle Island Indigenous mentors, I believe our responsibilities as earthlings are to respect and protect the living earth, water and air from destruction, and to find ways to share and create beauty, and leave that example, that way of being, for our children to live in a good way. For that transition, adults need to focus on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and healthy relationship building, with ourselves, each other and our beautiful environment. As someone with an ear for languages, I have found Indiginous languages and teachings hold wise truths for how to live ones life in a way that personally and environmentally sustainable. Listen to, speak well of, fund, and promote Indigenous people, languages and culture in your region.

As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?

This year is mostly focussed on the DEBWEWIN album project for Indigenous reconciliation. I'm releasing 13 original songs, one per month, culminating in a full album release in summer, 2022. I have been busking in the streets again, nice to get some chops back, and see some toddlers born in covid who had never seen live musicians. Brilliant focus and amazement from them!

Favourite Starlite Room Moment?

I like the Funk Work Jam events filmed at the Revival, and posted on your website for folks to jam along to after the fact. As an educator, and someone raised by pioneer-raised parents who remember barn dances, we need more regular safe spaces for community music play. My grandfather was a farmer-entrepreneur, and weekend fiddle player of Celtic descent. The children need to experience that spirit medicine, along with dance, drama and art. And access to nature, big time.

Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?

Follow your heart in a good way - explore your hobbies. Speak the truth of your good mind. Act to share your gifts with others to better our world. Invite others in. Use the arts to better your mental and emotional self. Be an example or peaceful right action for children to follow. Why wait any longer for peace? If we can start to accept and speak of the horrible truths of genocide, still ongoing in Canada and globally, we may realise it is essential to slow down our pace to address the resulting trauma on our collective mental health. Then perhaps, we can start to be part of a real human healing process. Our kids deserve more peace, let's find the ways back to talkin like we're people.

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