Kevin Locke
9th Annual World Traditional Album Vox Pop Winner
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Genre: World Traditional
Ixtlan Recording Consortium
www.kevinlocke.com
ALBUM NOMINATED: Earth Gift
WHERE WAS ALBUM RECORDED? Different places.
WHICH GENRES BEST DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? World Music, Traditional, Flute Music, New Age, Native American
IS THERE A THEME TO THE ALBUM? The songs of this recording echo the earth rhythms, and invoke the reality that all of life can come to us through the act of singing. Each is part of a larger whole, a ritual, calling forth the divine energy that is the object of the prayer. They are sung for the animals and in ceremonies to Eagle and Thunder, connecting the people to the sacred through sound.
WHAT/ IF ANY UNUSUAL INSTRUMENTS, SONG STRUCTURE/WRITING TECHNIQUE, RECORDING METHOD DID YOU USE? This album has very unique instrumentation; it uses everything from the susurrus of eagle feathers to overlooked instruments from the American past. The nail violin (a bowed set of tuned nails popular in the 18th century), the pianolin, the marxophone, and other once-commonplace variations on the zither, create a distinctly American sonic space that welcomes all types of listeners without the jarring effects of familiar European timbres. These wacky cousins of the autoharp, often sold by early mail order or door-to-door, hail from the same era as many of my Lakota teachers and their songs, the late 1800s.
Instruments were sought out that, although they are not traditional to this music, complement the essential sound, and in some ways are more related than one might think. For example there was an instrument built out of resonating stone cut from this continent. Even though Native Americans didn’t build resonating stone instruments, the sound won’t draw your ear to another part of the world the way a synthesizer or piano might.
WHERE IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE? www.kevinlocke.com, cdbaby.com
DID FANS HELP FUND THIS PROJECT? Not monetarily, but the support from people who appreciate what I do is always inspiring and helps bring a recording into fruition.
DESCRIBE YOUR AUDIENCE: I always say the age range is “womb to tomb.” I’ve been touring for nearly three decades, and have performed and lectured in more than 90 countries worldwide. In that time I’ve performed the Hoop of Life program for over a million children and yearly share the cultural program The Drum is the Thunder, the Flute is the Wind with thousands of people of all ages.
WHAT MAKES YOUR FANS UNIQUE? They’ve got an amazing sense of wonderment and awe.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO PLAY? As a performer with an educational message, I have very little intent to just “entertain” with what I do. So I love going to schools to bring the message of the universality of the human spirit to growing minds. As for a geographical place, I was most recently in Australia, and it was fabulous.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? I just live in the moment. Today is as good as it gets.
WHAT’S IN THE WORKS FOR 2010? The Songkeepers. It’s a new touring program with the award-winning vocalists and instrumentalists who have toured with The Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble. Their talents are featured on Earth Gift.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… Ever evolving.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS? Truly connecting with an audience.
WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR FANS? Traditional music from everywhere in the world. When I was in Turkey, I found that there are TV channels that feature their traditional artists. Although I didn’t really understand the words, I loved the music.
NAME SOME ARTISTS YOU ARE CHAMPIONING: Doug Good Feather, Edmond Nevaquaya, Thirza Defoe.
Comments
15 Responses to “Kevin Locke”Speak Your Mind
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wonderful sounds of music….dreaming of a wide and great and peaceful land with a longing mind and heart….Ive been out there and I miss it my whole life….that music brings it back….the memories….
I am very impressed with your lovely peaceful music – it is music to my soul.
Kevin’s music reaches deep inside you and awakens your inner being and takes it away from the material world.
Excellent!
Kevin,
This album is amazing. It takes me to a different place every time I listen, but I always start is South Dakota.
Best wishes with all.
Ada
Kevin’s music is a powerful inspiration to me. I play it often in the mornings upon arising, and the songs connect me to the earth viscerally, and bring forth a feeling of inexpressible gratitude in my heart. I feel this music is sharing/expressing the history of the sacred connection between tribal communities of this land and the animals, elements of nature and the earth itself in a way that is so healing and graceful, full of love. Kevin’s music inspires me to keep that sacred connection alive in my heart and in my actions on the earth.
I have had the bounty of seeing Kevin peform his famoul hoop dance, and have owned and heard his wonderful, soulful music over the years. His message of hope, love, unity, oneness, is basic to all mankind, and a tribute to his value as an entertainer and perhaps, even a spiritual leader. So thrilled to see this.
I first met Kevin Lock 30 years ago this summer at a continental gathering of native peoples. I recently listened to a recording I made of his performance there. So many elements were there, humility, respect for elders and Mother Earth, a universality of spirit, a unique ability to engage an audience with music, stories and dance. Since then I have watched with awe as his talents have grown, matured and become refined into one of the cultural treasuries of our time. He remains firmly rooted in his tradition while living the life of a world citizen who is constantly creating and looking to the future. It is a magical balance that Kevin Lock has maintained with integrity, beauty and grace for over three decades. Kevin, your art, and your life are a gift and inspiration to all who cross your path. You have my deepest admiration and respect.
Kevin is AMAZING! I’ll always remember his hoop dances when he visited South Florida some years ago. This album is a MUST HAVE!!! Many Blessings to you Kevin!
Kevin Locke is well known as a versatile artist and person of great integrity. It is a pleasure to cast a vote for his wonderful album: Earth Gift, which is an excellent example of his own gifts and talents.
Kevin has always stayed true to his ancestors and walked a path of light touching many hearts along the way.
mr. Locke has given us music in which to soar!!!
It is wonderful to be able to have the music of this great artist
And it was wonderful to see the sharing of his music and tradition dances
with the South American Indians in French Guyana.
Thank you for your beautiful music!! It is an honor to listen to it.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful music Kevin.