My own summit

I wrote last week about getting to hear Hillary Clinton speak at the Women in the World Summit.  It was amazing,  I was so inspired.  I cried a little.  (You can read the entire deal here.) And then something incredible happened.

I took the train home after a 'blow my mind' morning, lucky enough to arrive at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Essex, CT, and get to work on a summit of my own.

Every year, Simply Smiles (simplysmiles.org) hosts an annual fundraiser called, Keep Hope Alive.  (It's named after my song, and yes, I remind Bryan that he 'owes me' all of the time…)  Basically, Bryan does something amazing.  He gets people in a room, tells them what his plans are for the next year by presenting tangible goals and asks people to support Simply Smiles in their efforts.

And they do.  Big time.

This year the money went to four causes:

1- eradicating hook worm in the village of Santa Maria Tepexipana, in Oaxaca, Mexico 2- buying land to build a children's home in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico 3- building four greenhouses in La Plant, South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Reservation 4- running a suicide prevention program also in La Plant

I get very emotional during the evening because I love our friends in Mexico and South Dakota so much, so I'm not a great help.  But I get to socialize with people, help a little by telling the volunteers what to do, make sure the emcee and Bryan have water, etc, really - I'm just there because at the end, I sing, 'Keep Hope Alive'.

It's my chance to sum up the emotion of the night, and condense all the inspiration of the evening into a digestible melody that hopefully will stick with people as they walk out the door.  (They're sent home with a CD of the song, just in case they can't remember…)

It's how I can contribute.

My job is to encapsulate the passion, excitement, and emotion of the evening into a two minute and thirty second performance.  And I love it.

It's my favorite performance of the year.

And this mini-summit was replicated three times throughout Connecticut last week to raise over $218,000.

So yes, I had to leave the Women in the World Summit early last Friday, but I got to be a part of something that is creating real change in the world for the better.

And isn't that the point?

My lord, what a morning.

So...here was my day...so far... 5:45 - wake up. Well, hit snooze once, then wake up.

6:27 - take the train to the city.

7:40 - figure out taking the subway to Lincoln Center (so easy by the way...plus there are plenty of iphone apps to help you)

8:15 - meet up with my friend Vanessa, who hooked me up with a pass to the Women in the World Summit, and swooped me past the line and into the first row of seats behind the conference delegates. (I walked in with Andrea Mitchell, who hosts a show on MSNBC. I was totally starstruck and came thisclose to asking her about Rachel Maddow, but got too nervous.)

9 - listen to Hillary Clinton speak.

9:01 - cry a little.

So that's how my day started out. My life never ceases to amaze me. I think I just might be one of the luckiest people that I know. I'm not saying my life is better than yours or anything. I'm just saying, holy crap, I can't believe that I just got to do what I got to do!

"Let's keep fighting for opportunity and dignity, let's keep fighting for freedom and equality. Let's keep fighting for full participation, and let's keep telling the world over and over again that yes, women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights once and for all."

When Former Secretary Clinton came out on the stage - I'm not going to lie, my jaw dropped, and then I teared up a little, and then I noticed that she was much shorter than I expected. (That all happened in about one second, by the way.)

Read that quote again...don't you just want to get up and cheer?

She was amazing, inspiring, and hopeful. She has worked tirelessly throughout her career to make sure that equality is a reality, and it was pretty obvious today that she won't quit anytime soon. She's a force, a serious force.

After her speech, Chelsea Clinton (who is very smart and funny by the way...) moderated a discussion on innovators of the future. It was an incredible discussion and I learned about a great program called 'Girls Who Code'. They encourage girls to pursue interests and opportunities in computer fields. They're a pretty awesome movement, and if you'd like more information, you can visit their website!

Following that was a discussion held on whether or not the world has reached a tipping point on violence against women, siting India's recent outcry against the vicious gang rape of a Delhi student as their main example. One of the experts on the panel, Ravi Kant, runs an organization called Shakti Vahini with his three brothers. They work to combat human trafficking and violence agains women every day.

He had some thoughts on the role of men in equality, and received multiple ovations as he spoke so passionately. My favorite quotable line was, "Every man needs to stand up with women and say, 'this culture of silence needs to end.'"

I was only able to stay for the morning session, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go. I'm on the train, heading home to help set up for another Simply Smiles, Keep Hope Alive event, where I'll get to actually create some of the change that I'd like to see in this world. I'm lucky enough to have an organization where I can channel my energy and my passion. Again, seriously the luckiest!

Is this world ready for equality? I think so. I know that I am. My family is. My friends are. So what's stopping equality from happening? I leave you with this...

Today when Hillary came out on the stage, the women behind me literally said, at the same time, to each other, "she's so cute!" Until we take each other seriously, why should anyone else?

Hillary Clinton being introduced by Tina Brown of Newsweek.

Another South Dakota song…

I remember when I first started taking trips to Oaxaca, Mexico.  I was a college kid, an idealist, and a romantic.  I fell in love with the children of Casa Hogar, and when I wasn't with them, I missed them.  I thought of them, and I dreamt of them. They are still a huge part of my life, but things have changed.  With Simply Smiles, we work on new projects, meet new people, and yet - we still go back to Casa Hogar every week that we're in Mexico just to check in with the kids.  (And I remind them that any of them can be our lovely Gaby, and move in with me any time!)

Enter, La Plant, South Dakota.  I won't lie, the first time that I came to the Cheyenne River Reservation, I did not enjoy myself.  The work was hard, the environment was sad, and the kids were tough.  There were no hugs, they didn't care if I came back (or so it seemed), and so I knew that I had to.  We all knew that we had to.

If you had been mistreated by the government, boarding schools, and missionaries, wouldn't you be wary of new visitors?  Wouldn't you be skeptical of some white do-gooders?  I know I would.

So we persisted the way we always do, by being present.  We invited the kids over for games, the adults for dinner, and shared coffee and stories with the elderly.  And now, here we are, almost four years later, with kids calling throughout the morning to find out when 'winter camp' starts, and adults asking what they can bring to Bingo night.

Being here, in La Plant, is changing all of us.  I write songs about the kids, I joined the gym so that I could be stronger and have more endurance this summer, and even started doing yoga, so that I'd have a calm way to start the day!

And the most beautiful thing?  The kids want to be a part of all of it.  From music to our holistic, healthy lifestyle.  They're eating carrot sticks by the fistful, I can't cut the apples fast enough for snack time, we don't have enough yoga mats for all that want to join in, and we wrote our first collaborative folk song. (You can get it here, and the proceeds are paying for Guitar Camp '13!)

These kids want to be happy.  They want to be healthy.  They want to feel connected.

Don't we all?

And now, I have more kids that I miss, more kids in my dreams, and more and more children that I'm proud of every day.  I'm so glad that we stayed.

Kristen

Interview...

I love being interviewed! I like being challenged by questions, and I'm always curious to hear what people will ask. This blog post, isn't my own post, but rather, an interview from the Concerts in Your Home blog. Enjoy!

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Describe your most memorable house concert experience.

I played at two incredible house concerts this summer. I wanted to mention them both because while one was in Iowa, and the other in Wisconsin, they were hosted by sisters! Both girls used to babysit me when I was little, so that was pretty cool, especially because I got to spend some time with each of their families. Both concerts were outdoors, kid friendly, and had amazing energy. I'd take credit for the awesome vibe, but I'm pretty sure that the sibling hosts were responsible for that...

What's your best opening line? (from one of your songs, or one of your favorites)

"I came to battle my senses..." from 'Slow Down', off of my latest EP, with the same title.  And from a Dar William's song, "Go ahead, push your luck. Find out how much love the world can hold." from 'After All'.

What song is most likely to make you cry? (if you were the crying kind)

I am the crying kind...depending on the day. I think that's why I'm a musician. Music has always been a place for me to channel thoughts and emotions. I'd have to say, 'Rich Man's War', by Steve Earle. I cried the first time that I heard it, and I'm still so moved any time that I hear it. It's an incredibly well-crafted song, and so relevant. I'd also (again) go for Dar Williams, 'After All'. The first time I really listened to that song... I think I might have held my breath the entire four minutes and forty-eight seconds. Her line, 'Well the sun rose, with so many colors it nearly broke my heart...' makes me want to be a better person.

How many miles did you drive last year?

21,761. Give or take.

What is your favorite thing about house concerts?

The people! I love singing for an audience that comes specifically to hear music, and I love getting to hang out and connect with people as the night is winding down.

If you could no longer sell your music on CD, what would you do differently?

I'm not sure I know what this question means. I guess as we dive deeper into the digital age, this is a possibility, but I'll be keeping my CDs around for a while yet- even if they function as nothing more than a keepsake. CDs or no CDs, I'll keep writing songs, making recordings (digital and video) and I'll ALWAYS keep touring. I love the road.

When is the last time someone critiqued your song, suggested a way to make it better, and you agreed?

I meet with a few songwriter friends of mine every few months, and we'll critique our new songs. I don't always take their advice, but I always listen. Even if I don't wholeheartedly agree with a different idea it still serves a great purpose. It either solidifies my original thought, or it prompts a new one. And if their suggestion is better, I'm always really excited, and SUPER grateful.

Have you ever watched yourself do a full concert on video? If so, what did you learn?

I have not. I hate watching myself actually, and strangely enough (I guess?) I hate the sound of my own voice. Especially when I'm speaking. Man, it makes me nuts. I guess I'm lucky that not everyone has that reaction.

Is there anyone you like to go to for songwriting help or advice? If so, who?

Every once in a while I'll ask my husband to read through lyrics or listen to a song. If the message isn't clear or if something doesn't make sense, he'll tell me. He's a great writer, but he's not a musician, so he just goes on gut instinct, which is what I want. I want to write better and better songs, but I also want people to like them 'just because'.

What is the best stage name of all time?

Anytime people go by just one name, I think that's pretty cool. It was like 1999 before I even knew Jewel's last name. (It's Kilcher by the way.) Also, The Band, is pretty great. If that's your name, you're obviously amazing.

Car you drive vs the car you'd most like to drive.

I drive a 2005 Corolla, which I LOVE! I can't really explain why, but I think I'll drive a Corolla for the rest of my life. If they made a hybrid version, I'd be coveting it right now.

What percentage of your songs are about love relationships?

I don't write many traditional love songs, much to my husband's dismay. (Just kidding.) I write a lot of songs about humanity, people that I've met and that have inspired me, and I guess those could be considered love songs....if that's the case, I'd say about 80% are love songs. I you're only looking for romantic songs, I'd say about 5-10%.

You can bring back any dead artist, and be their apprentice for a month, who do you choose?

I'd go with Scott Joplin. First of all we share the same birthday. Second of all, he kept me from quitting piano when I was in high school. Third, he's awesome.

You can recruit anyone in the world to manage your artistic career, who is it?

Probably Louis C.K. I don't think it would be a wise career decision, but we'd laugh a lot...

You can work with any living record producer. Who do you choose for your next project?

I already have him. I have done my last four projects with Chris Cubeta at Galuminumfoil Studios, and only want to work with him. He's an amazing musician, fantastic songwriter, and very creative. Even after I've hit it bit, I'll be going to him. Well...unless Rick Rubin calls. Then they can co-produce.

You must personally destroy every instrument you own, except one. Which do you keep? Which do you destroy first/last, and why?

Nope. Can't do it. I wouldn't even hypothetically destroy the flute that I never picked up again after 8th grade.

Top item on your bucket list.

I'm living it!

Cat, dog, or goldfish?

I love all animals. My first pet as a child was actually a frog named George. He's now 21 years old and lives with my parents in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And I'm a HUGE fan of my rescue dog, Chip.

Writing retreat. You can go anywhere in the world for 2 weeks, where do you go? One instrument, one suitcase - what do you bring?

I'd go to a cabin somewhere in the woods. Some place where I could have a fire, and also had an unlimited supply of wood already stacked up indoors. It would have a piano in it...that way I'd only have to bring my guitar. I'd also bring lots of notebooks, a lot of Dixon Ticonderoga pencils. They're the most wonderful pencil.

Plan B, or no Plan B?

I think I might even have a Plan Z! I have a million plans. That way if one thing doesn't work out, I have many other great options. They're all music plans though. So if by Plan B, you mean getting some kind of 'real job', then no Plan B.