So here we are with the second installment of our new blog series, “The Best Of…”. This month, we turn our gaze to our pals at Kiam Records. We asked Jennifer O’Connor of Kiam to write a little something and to compile a set of songs that represent her label to her. The results are as great as we expected. Please give it a read, and listen. Thanks to Jennifer and Kiam Records for doing this.
I have been working with Lyle and Bank Robber since pretty close to its inception: when I was on a tiny indie label (Red Panda- 2004), when I was on a large indie label (Matador 2005-2009) all the way through to the present – with my own indie label (Kiam). He’s placed my music and music by the musicians and bands on Kiam in all kinds of television shows, films, and commercials. I guess what I’m saying is we have a longstanding relationship.
When I sat down to make a “Best Of” playlist for Kiam, it occurred to me that a timely theme might have something to do with all that’s going on in the world right now- and in particular – this struggle to find our common ground as people, as well as our desire to find the tools necessary to enable the survival of our human civilization. I know, light stuff. 🙂
I think music is and has always been one of these tools and is such a huge part of this ongoing struggle – because it’s certainly not a new one. Beyond this outward, heavily publicized current place we find ourselves – all of these small changes and major transformations that are happening out on the streets and in the world at large- I believe that the real change and the real hope lies within each and every one of us. What can you do in your everyday life to see and be there for yourself? Not to mention all the countless interactions with others that happen in our daily lives. How can you better see and be there for the people in your life? Your friends, family, and even strangers. Every single one of us matters. Every single kindness – or unkindness – does too. These are the building blocks that make something like what we saw in this photo from last Saturday’s March For Our Lives possible.
Go in and then go forward.
Jennifer O’Connor
3/28/2018