We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kennedy Kohlman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kennedy, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
For me at least I need to constantly engage with the world of creativity that exists outside of my own mind. Creativity in my opinion is like a battery. In order to recharge this creative battery one needs to intake various forms of creativity. I do this primarily by actively engaging with the artistic communities I find myself a part of both in the physical world and online. Hearing a powerful poem inspires and drives me to create something of equal beauty and descriptive power. Hearing an emotion-filled melody makes me want to create music that can evoke feelings in the same way. A brilliant writer, be it fiction, news, history, or analysis, communicates ideas so effectively that your mind can create a picture of a world you haven’t seen or experienced. All of this nourishes my creativity and helps guide and hone my thoughts into the art I create.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a multi-faceted artistic person. I don’t limit the avenues of expression I take because I know my capabilities enable me to go down many roads. I am a musician. I have been playing in a band called Rebels Revenge as their bassist based in Philadelphia for over a year now, while also pursuing a solo career as a lyrical rapper. Outside of this, I’m an essayist and writer who tackles political commentary, and I plan to expand my writing into various other forms of media analysis. I have recently started a podcast with a friend and long-time activist where we discuss modern world events, politics, history, and media, hoping to provide context and uplift the voices of those who might be marginalized by society. I try in everything I do as an artist to center community and engagement with my peers in the field. I love to collaborate and work with the talent of my generation and learn from the art and example of those who came before. My next solo album is set to be released on January 31, 2024. This project is titled “Phoenix Party Vol. 1” is my most ambitious musical undertaking up to this point. I pushed to the limit my own writing abilities, and my production skills, as well as working with excellent producers, instrumentalists, rappers, and sound engineers. Again, I don’t want my music to exist alone or in a vacuum. My art reflects the world and the communities and people I constantly engage with. “Phoenix Party Vol. 1” will showcase many sides of myself being my most personal album yet. Over the course of doing this music shit, I’ve had to learn how to express vulnerability in my art and express my unique humanity as I best can.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Honestly, the best quality an artist can have is the knowledge that you aren’t perfect. That you likely aren’t the best. That without constant work and engagement with your community you will not grow. I think a lot of artists have to learn this the hard way through a reality check at some point. Those reality checks artists should be grateful for. Artists gotta remember a lot of their friends can just be Yes Men, and that if someone sees your potential that doesn’t mean they want you to realize it. Aside from this, a trait I have that has definitely helped me is that when I need to be I can be a fucking asshole. I like to do this my way especially if it is my art and my art alone. I place a value on my own vision and what I know I need and want. Have goals, have a vision, and remember most people aren’t gonna see that vision until it’s shining bright enough to hurt their eyes. Finally, when you’re starting be very open to critique, help, and collaboration. If someone really does reach out their hand to help you don’t let your ego throw that shit away.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pierce_k_k/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-kohlman-12a51b268
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgOGQQgTs2R9CQ7bH44sNqg?si=xsa496pg_x0K_v8t
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jackxk?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
