I have loved music for as long as I can remember. My most vivid memories are being young and playing with my two brothers while my Dad jammed tunes of the eighties through his vintage speakers and record player. There was something so sacred about the rows of vinyl and boxes of tapes my family listened to constantly. We were always playing music around the house. We weren't just listeners though, we were players. My Dad played the drums and guitar while my Mom sang. Back and forth from dance or choir practice when I was growing up, my Mom and I would sing together. She usually took the harmony, this is how I learned to do the same. I always liked the lead best though. I grew up singing in musicals and church until my Dad gave me a guitar at 17 and a spark was ignited inside me. I had written poetry for years but never had the chance to write my own unique melodies and put them to chords. I was blown away. Since that moment I knew I wanted to pursue this artform. I decided after High School I would head to Nashville where I attended a music school there called Belmont. I liked the college scene but what I was really in love with were the open practice rooms, complete with upright pianos. I would linger for hours with dreams in my head of one day sharing my creations with others. I spent most of my Freshman year in that very spot, exploring who I was as a songwriter. As the year came to a close, I decided to head back to Kansas City and pursue music in the coffee shop circuit for awhile. This was a wonderful time of growth for me, but when I started to jam with my brothers, I was hooked. Playing in a band to me, was exhilerating. There was something so attractive and raw about collaborating with other musicians. Shortly after, I re-connected with a High School crush (who I later married), Brian Little, and we started a band called Vedera. This was my first real chance to see America, play my music for thousands of people, find myself as an artist and really learn what the music business is all about. We had a great run, releasing two albums, one on a major label, Epic Records. I have learned so much from the seven years we were together and am so thankful that I got to chase my dream with three wonderful dudes. As Brian and I started to write for a third album, our band decided it was time to move on to other ventures, and this is where I am now. I am excited and exhilerated about the chance of going back to my roots of making a solo album while adding all the elements of what I've learned throughout the years. I have always wanted to share my heart through song and become a soundtrack for life's journeys. So here I am, I hope you like what you hear! <3 Kristen
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Stacks of Duncansby by bm^ on Flickr.
Photo by Nina Leen, 1963
Ani’s drawing! Yes, that’s a flower and a slice of cheese! (Taken with instagram)
(by Gianni Dominici)
Wine
SILKE WERZINGER, UNITED NATIONS for Colagene /02/12: Calendar project for the Drought and flood
I loved the 90’s band The Breeders growing up and now I get to open for one of their singers, Kelley Deal in her new project, R. Ring. If you happen to live in Kansas City or wanna make a road trip, it will be a good one! I’ll be playing new songs from my upcoming solo album!! July 13th at 8 pm!! xo K
I remember vividly being young and craving Summer. I couldnt wait for pool days, shorts, sun tans, fireworks, vacations, summer camps, “no school!” and everything that came with my favorite time of year. Living in Missouri, you learn to really appreciate each season as it happens. Summer, though sometimes hot and sticky made you feel like each day was a vacation. Fall brought changes in the color of trees and the beautiful leaves that hung from them, pumpkin patches, apple cider, going back to school and somber rainy days. Then came Winter in all of its chilly wonder! I couldnt wait for the first snow and of course Christmas. :) As Spring followed it reminded us again, that we would feel the sunshine and see the flowers grow! I’m very thankful for seasons and what they teach me about this mysterious life. Seasons have always had a profound impact on my writing process. I remember vividly writing many of the songs off my first Vedera album (back when we were called Veda) in the heat of Summer. I can remember playing in some of the sweatiest clubs with people packed in together not worried about our mascara running. We were in this together. One of our biggest shows as Veda when we first started was playing Buzz Beach Ball in Kansas City in 2005. Cake and Weezer were the headliners and we were on one of the side stages. I could see the crowds coming for miles as they made their way to the lawn and hopefully to stop by and catch our set! We were a young band and nervously excited to play with such big names. Our other first shows were with bands like Thrice and The Get Up Kids and on summer tours where the energy was always high! It’s hard to sit still in the Summer and I think that energy became existent in a lot of our songs. The angst you feel in life really translates in the Summer time. For our second album Stages, we were writing and recording in the tranquil, meloncholy days of October. I can vividly remember every day going to the studio and feeling the cool Indiana breeze on my face. (We recorded at Echo Park Studios, where Denver band The Fray recorded their first album.) This was a wonderful time of growth for my band and our songwriting was profoundly affected by our stay there.
As I continue to write for my solo album, and in songwriting circles for other people, I am affected by the intensity of Summer. I hope that Fall will come soon so I can feel the beauty of change. Can I get an Amen for Mother Earth? :)
K
In Metropolis, IL. I really should’ve grabbed a pair of those Batman undies :) #roadtrip #metropolis #comics #kristenmay #vedera (Taken with instagram)
Green thumb/brown thumb #organic #homegrown #veggies #kristenmay (Taken with instagram)
Some alone time with Joni. Just wrote an uplifting song about love. I feel good :) (Taken with instagram)
Back with my baby :) its crazy how much I missed this dude. #doglove (Taken with instagram)
This book is awesome! I’ve learned so much! #homegrown #local #food (Taken with instagram)
My first tomato plant! I’m inspired to grow my own food so I control how it grows and where it came from. #local #organic (Taken with instagram)
Gloomy but beautiful day at San Soucci Farms in Sumter, SC. #houseshows2012 (Taken with instagram)
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