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

Kevin, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Thanks to CanvasRebel for interviewing me.  Learning the craft of a singer songwriter is a life-long process. Playing any instrument takes practice and patience. But, if you enjoy the sounds and the physical challenges of your instrument, it really is a labor of love and it’s easy to lose track of time and your troubles. When you take things slowly and play consistently, even if only for a few minutes a day, your skills will improve.  Taking lessons from an experienced guitar teacher can dramatically speed up the learning curve. Keep your instrument accessible and play it whenever you have a few minutes. Unless you have small children or mischievous pets, keep your guitar out of its case. Ultimately, to conserve energy, your brain will accept that learning the song, chord or melody you’ve been practicing is important to you and, as if by magic, playing it will suddenly become easier.  You’ll even forget how much of a challenge it was to initially play.  The takeaways are to be patient, play daily and enjoy the journey.

Kevin, 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 have written songs and performed for most of my life. I was born in Santa Monica and grew up along the beaches of Southern California. My songs are mostly storytelling in nature, using back drops of traveling, surfing, and sailing.  I write from my own experiences and from the perspectives of the colorful people and places I’ve observed in my life. I am a solo acoustic performer and play bars, private parties, coffee houses, street fairs, art galleries, corporate events, and lodges. My music tends to be relaxing and lyric-oriented, seasoned with sensory descriptions and observations of the human condition.

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

In my view, the best way we can support musical artists is to attend live events in our area. I live in West Los Angeles and the level of musicianship and artistry in West Los Angeles and the South Bay is phenomenal. By attending smaller venues that have live music, you are supporting the artists. If there is a tip jar or the artist has merchandise for sale, your generosity will be greatly appreciated. Also, follow the musicians you like on social media and share with your friends. Consider hiring local musicians for your next party, meet up or corporate event. If you’re a musician, try to help out your fellow artists as best you can. Share their contact information with bookers and promoters. Take photos of the artists at their gigs and send them copies so they can use them on social media. Share the artists’ posts on social media. Introduce them to other musicians for possible collaborations. I have found many singer songwriters to be fairly introverted off stage. A heartfelt compliment following their performance is a fantastic way to support them.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe that it’s the artist’s job to live life, stay observant and report back. The external world is only a reflection of what’s going on inside. Artists, be they musicians, songwriters, painters, sculptures, writers, gardeners or whatever their art is, are merely conduits for expressing truths received from the collective unconscious or God. Sure, we might forget and take personal credit for our creativity but if we’re honest, we know that our creative spark is a gift from something much greater than ourselves. My goal is to share my songs with as many people as possible and, hopefully, add a little joy into people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: kevingeraldmusic.com
• Instagram: @kevingeraldmusic
• Facebook: kevin gerald music
• Youtube: @kevingerald