Valentine Video (#ShareTheLove)

Today is the day!

Today, I'm releasing a music video for my favorite love song I’ve ever written, ‘Swing’.

“Like a rope needs a swing...A bell needs to ring...I need you.”

I wrote this story on my way back to Minneapolis after singing at a wedding in Northern Minnesota. I actually wrote the entire thing sitting at a rest stop next to a huge statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

I was in such a loving place.

I had just witnessed two people pledge to love each other forever. I had seen friends that I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade, I was just really happy, at peace, and felt a lot of love.

It’s so wonderful to feel love and give love.

And that’s how I wrote the song. 

The song ended up on my latest album, I’ve sung it at many weddings, and I’ve dedicated it to many different couples.

So, this year, I thought it would be so great to celebrate love OF ALL KINDS on Valentine’s Day.

I believe in given and chosen family, and I believe in many kinds of love, so I wanted this video to be about not only romantic love, I wanted it to be about family love, friend love, rescue pet love, ALL love. 

So, here we have it. That’s why this is happening.

And today is the day that you can click on a youtube link and see the many amazing and different ways that people love.

Here it is!

I hope you enjoy it!

LOVE,

Kristen

#ShareTheLove

Share The Love

I had an idea this year for Valentine's Day.

I thought it would be really nice to release a version of Swing, (the only love song I've written in a while...) for my mailing list.

Then I thought - why stop at a version of the song? Why not create a video for the song?

Then I started thinking about different things I could do - I had some nice ideas, some pretty thoughts, but then settled on the winner.

I decided that it would be great to include people's stories, your stories, of love.

So, I asked, and you responded.

With the most beautiful stories!

...There's the story of how a couple met on a blind date and has been married for 40 years.

...Or how a husband visits his wife struggling with dementia every single day. She doesn't know him, so he has to reintroduce himself at each lunch.

...A man told me of how his rescue dog saves him from chronic pain, even though doctors had told him there was no cure.

...A couple told me that they locked eyes from across the gym. (I guess working out does have benefits!)

...A friend told me about how much she loves her daughters, not just because she loves them and they're family, but because they all really like each other.

The stories are fantastic. Beautiful. Moving. Inspiring.

The world can use more love - actually - the world needs more love, so we're going to give it to them.

If you'd like to share your story and be a part of the music video, you can tell your story and send a video or photo to me: kristen@kristengraves.com.

Thanks for sharing the love!

#ShareTheLove

My own day

So…last week, I had huge news. I got to announce that Governor Malloy of Connecticut declared Tuesday, 12/15/15, Kristen Graves Day.

It was awesome. 

I’ve been joking about having my own day for a long time, because - who wouldn’t want their own day?  And it happened!

It actually happened!

I was psyched, of course. Who doesn’t like being recognized for their efforts in their career? I was so happy to be honored for my contributions to the arts.

But what really touched me, and what actually meant the most to me, was that he asked that the day encourage people to celebrate the arts as well as compassion and social justice.

To have my name listed in a sentence with compassion and social justice was and is a huge compliment.

Music is important to me. It’s my favorite thing in the entire world - it’s where I turn regardless of how I’m feeling, and it pays my bills. I love music.

But no matter what, no matter how hard I practice, or how great or bad I sound at any particular show, it’s incredibly important to me that I remain grounded and kind.

Because, really- I don’t think you’re ever talented enough to be a jerk.

Tuesday meant a lot to me for a lot of reasons, but to be celebrated as a kind musician - well…I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Thank you, Governor Malloy.

With Governor Malloy and his staff.

Posed with my official proclamation.

Quick reflections...

Just some quick thoughts from my first European tour!

- if all cheese tasted like French cheese, I never would have become a vegan

- Europeans have awesome shoes and beautiful scarves

- you can get a SUPER DELICIOUS glass of wine anywhere in Barcelona for about $2

- pretzels in Frankfurt make pretzels in NYC seem like they taste like cardboard

- it's super frustrating being somewhere and not speaking the language

- smiling at someone and saying thank you in their language can go a really long way

- Europeans don't judge you for drinking at lunch (in fact, they may judge you if you don't have a beer/glass of wine...)

- walking everywhere is really fun, and allows you to see where you really are

- you can make friends everywhere

- The Just Be Nice Party is now international!! (too bad Repubs and Dems can't say the same!)

- fall is still my favorite season...regardless of what country I'm in

Now Ain't the Time for Tears

It is with great excitement that I sit here in the Salt Lake City airport. Yes- the mountains are beautiful (still snow-capped) but this excitement is even greater than when I visit a new place.

This is the excitement that comes with finishing this new album.

Every experience for me has always been different, and this time, with these songs, I feel proud.

Not in an arrogant way (I don't think) but because I know that I put together a collection of songs that I really care about, and that resonate with me.

You can listen today. And I hope you love it!

Love, Kristen