We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Goodwin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents did so many great things for me and my siblings growing up, but one of the most important things they did for me in terms of being a creative human was being supportive and taking my interests seriously. When they saw I was really invested or passionate about something, they truly supported that effort and encouraged it.
Sometimes they went far beyond what would be reasonable to expect from any parent: My mom would invite her friends to concerts I was playing, and my dad would spend hours researching things about musical equipment for me.
Both of my parents have always jumped at any opportunity to support me by being at my concerts and cheering me on. As someone who grew up as a very sensitive kid, that really gave me the confidence and support I felt I needed to pursue my passions. An important thing to note is that they did this even when I was not good at the things I was passionate about.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started playing the piano (and subsequently writing my own songs) when I was about 7 years old. My grandmother had bought my family a baby grand Wurlitzer piano that mostly sat around the house. One night, I sat down at the keys and started figuring out the melody to “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. I was hooked from that moment on.
I always strive to make music that I feel is honest and instrument driven. I was very influenced by songwriters like Elton John, Chris Martin, and Freddie Mercury. In my teenage years, Billie Joe Armstrong and Andrew McMahon would join that list of influences.
All of the songs that I write are very much taken from real situations and experiences I’ve had in my life, with a focus on real instruments being played by passionate musicians who drive the music. For anyone who loves the music they play at a grocery store or a dentist’s office, my music is for you.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think the answer comes down to the individual level. If there is art that you really enjoy (a song, a movie, a painting), try to support the artists that made it by sharing it. Show friends and family who you think might like it. If you have the money, buy that artist’s products or merchandise. Go to a concert, movie, or art gallery. Those kinds of things means a lot.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Connecting with other people that have experienced similar feelings in their lives to those that I have experienced in mine is definitely my favorite part about being an artist. It’s a very rewarding thing, to see something you made connect with another person. I’ve had some really beautiful experiences getting to know someone I may have never met otherwise via them connecting with a song I wrote.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kevingoodwinmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevingoodwinmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevingoodwinmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3r_YSfLKrov3ZzwFXCueyg
- Other: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4890mBPAQV8jDjH49BAGUC?si=iy3-7chlTw6CbPNpjaKmrA
