#derek krystek

[crowstick]

Life/Death

All the rows of empty houses, echoes resounding from the road

Everyone’s out to consummate the spring,

Making love in the streets and planting new seeds...

All the roses lining the graves 

In the cemetery shaded by the bars and arcade

Seem to paint each moment we’re awake

That much more childish to fake

What is certainly our fate...

If there’s a way to break your shield, The Secret’s been concealed

Your surface is cold, too frigid hold

All of the loneliest people of the Earth 

Sit and wonder ‘bout their worth, on the hood of a hearse

Never again to be tempted by The Light

With exception to this strife

There’s nothing left of this life

If I can’t find the words to say, I’ll just run away

Please don’t waste your faith on me, or trust in my disease

[heatherkropf-blog]

Week ? — So good! I checked out the Songwriter Circle hosted by Max Somerville at the Pittsburgh Winery. The guest songwriters were Guy Russo, Arianna Powell, Justin Endler, and Derek Krystek.

Something about the combination of artists headed by an obviously heavy weight host who was generous with his love and respect for everyone set the night up for a really human, authentic musical experience. I swear I teared up more than once.

Highlights were that each artist had at least one hit song or moment, Justin’s arty obscurity (and that Jeff Buckley/Jimmy Somerville voice!!) really offset the loveliness of Russo’s folk writing and Max Somerville’s soulful accessibility. Derek gets props for being the most vulnerable with his between-song banter, and Arianna is why I went. She is a fully formed guitarist at 23 and has incredible stage presence. I was curious about her writing and I wasn’t disappointed. While she’s a young performing singer with tons of room to grow, her songs are as cleanly and fully formed as her playing. They offer a simplicity and emotive rawness that obscures the songs’ intelligent and sophisticated foundations. She uses the rhythm and imagery of words creatively and for maximum emotional impact. Honestly, it was beautiful stuff and I hope to hear more.

From a personal perspective what struck me most was how different this generation of song makers are from mine. Gen Xers (me) and Millennials are really different. And it’s a good difference; I came away feeling like the creative heart of my city is in pretty damn good hands.

So yes, this was a good week.