SongwriterView: And Music Will Spur Us Forward
By Patty Castillo Davis
Songs give protest language words won’t suffice to convey.
A compendium of unjust events in succession have created conditions for mass protest and finally change on the front of the fight for racial justice which is alarmingly familiar to the urban unrest of the 1960s. The difference is a remarkable grassroots multiracial, generational and socioeconomic presence.
Disseminating information and bringing people together has been a core vocation to galvanize and promote awareness to the dissatisfaction of affected communities.
Music has always been there to energize our efforts, provide the atmosphere, stir up righteous indignation, marked by songs created by people at the center of the crisis.
For perspective on how artists are influenced by these particular times, I asked Kaila Kindley, Curator and Director of the Modesto Conservatory of Music, Art and Theater how his member’s creations have been affected. Today’s civil discord has impacted both his art and music students hearkening back to the protest music of the ’60s and ’70s as well as his own personal art. Kindley has a music concert and art exhibition slated for this month in four movements, including one piece that is entitled “I Can’t Breathe”, and is sure to touch a collective nerve. Amidst all the glaring turmoil he remains open and buoyant about the future-“I live by three rules, love God, love your fellow man and give to others.”
It’s paramount to amplify important voices and although live music is phases away from responsibly returning to the norm, a few venues are offering outdoor entertainment with the appropriate social distancing guidelines in place-there you will find Geovanie Brooks, Singer-Songwriter. “Well, DOORKICKER, I don’t even want to kill ya. I wanna give you something you haven’t had in a long time, Some sweet love.” These are a portion of the lyrics from his original song about systemic injustice and police/white supremacy called “Doorkicker”.
Brooks says, “Art IS activism, it’s political, visceral, but most of all it’s a reflection of what you see, how you see and what you believe”. You can hear Geovanie Brooks perform on July 11 at Cast Iron Trading in Stockton in their new alleyway spot and he will do a Livestream concert from the ModestoView Facebook page on July 7 at 6 pm.
In partnership with the Gallo Center for the Arts, Joe Barretta, David Rogers and yours truly-Patty Castillo Davis will perform a concert LIVE On The Lawn of the Gallo Center for the Arts on Wednesday, July 15 at 7 pm. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and dinner for an easily social distanced midweek distraction.
While we all continue to manage the tumultuous nature of how we now conduct our lives, the outcome rests solely on ourselves. Moving forward relies on following the recommendations and guidelines put forth by the state of California so we can enjoy all that we have missed out on since March.
Please show your support for black artists and create a collective explosion of support, hope, unity and spur a global reaction.
You and art can do the work.
www.modestoconservatory.com
A multi-level Audio and Visual environment for beginners to professional artists.
soundcloud.com/geovaniebrooks
Static Symphony-Doorkicker
