We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kennedy Kohlman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kennedy below.

Kennedy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first dollar I earned as a creative was somewhat recently actually. I was out in West Philly with my band running an open mic with an organizer we had networked with since the band really came together. Over the course of the past 6 months, we’ve found a decent underground following and were tryna turn that into some extra bread for creative activities. The Open Mic goes off without a hitch. Good performers show out and the band cuts it up on set. We played a number of original tunes from the band and the solo careers of members of the band and overall had a fun night. Having been play gigs for free for years in college its finally nice seeing it all come together as we build.

Kennedy , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into music and other creative arts such as poetry as I developed throughout life. I was always an avid reader and that eventually led me to writing and poetry. I also started learning instruments at a young age and really began to dive into music when I started learning how to play bass guitar. While I have yet to learn to sing the bass and the poetical lyrical excerpts eventually formed into the small solo discography of work I have on all streaming platforms. Aside from that, I’ve been playing in talented bands throughout my college years. Some such were Off the Cuff, Spotting Sarah, and Sexy Villian all of which opened for my college’s annual concert called Springfest. My poetry and art have always been political as my interests have always leaned politically. I am a committed leftist somewhere on the socialist-to-communist side of the spectrum and this bleeds into my art. Subject X my first EP was an inquiry into the material reality of America coming from my own perspective as a Black person in America. The opening track Land of the Free begins with an exploration of American political society. The second track The Price of Vice is more about the price of consumeristic vice-filled economy on the individual knowing full well I have many vices. The third track harkens once again to the reality of the prison industrial complex and police states throughout America that fuel the complex.
Outside of my solo music, I play in a band out of Philly called Rebels Revenge. There I play the Bass and occasionally rap with the band. We are gaining traction and a following in Philly and hope to put together a tour to get our music heard around the East and Midwest. We’ve done shows all over Philly and are looking towards New York next. Our single “Fuck You” will be dropping soon.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is meeting and connecting with other artists. Artists express themselves clearly and frequently through their creative mediums and I love to be a part of it. Interactions with everyone that goes to live music events, open mics, and connects with art in any way in a physical moment in always exciting. I love the new faces and the thrill of performance and sharing my art with other people.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Engage with artists more openly and willingly. A society needs poets, it needs artists. Even if one does not create art themselves they should still participate in the underground network of artistic activity that takes place across the US. From underground rap scenes, to the up and coming band scenes across the cities of the US there is so many grass roots organizations that truly create beautiful moments of music and arts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pierce_k_k/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-kohlman-12a51b268
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgOGQQgTs2R9CQ7bH44sNqg