Posts tagged: Underground
Subway Diaries “T”‘s modeled by the ‘bestest’ :)
One of the best “Subway Diaries” fans Ms Kelly Moses (CA), winner of the 2011 ‘The Subway Diaries Street Team Award’ & her rockin’ Pug, PAT – (who no one can upstage regardless of wardrobe )
Send in your pics of you modeling the fab “T” to info@thesubwaydiaries.com & we’ll post!
xoxo & hugs from Heidi Kole & The Subway Diaries
The Subway Diaries “T” goes to Santiago, Chile
Nick Broad, Producer/Director of The Busking Project which I was filmed/interviewed for this past September – http://www.thebuskingproject.com snapped this rockin’ shot of him wearing his Subway Diaries “T” while filming in Santiago, Chile and standing next to a fab “Heidi Metal” sign!
He calls the picture “Heidi Power”Ā : )
Pushing the limits: Interviewed by Canadian artist/blogger MicheleAndree Lemieux
HEIDI KOLE GOING UNDER TO RISE ABOVE!
HEIDI KOLE, singer, composer, author, teacher, sheās genuine, authentic, passionate and her story touches the heart, the mind and the soul.Ā It makes you think, and perhaps I should say re-think your values and just how true to yourself you are and how far you are willing to go to remain so.
It is with great pleasure, and I am honoured to welcome this wonderful underground diva who has so graciously responded to my invitation.Ā Heidi, welcome and thank youĀ for participating in this project by answering the following questions.
No. 1) Ā What is music to and for you? Ā (in general and personally)
To me, music isā¦wowā¦I hesitate to say everything as I wouldnāt want ot put that much pressure on one thing in life, but itās way up there with running, biking, floating on the River and any other activity that puts me in touch with truth and source. The cool thing about music is that although I can share biking and running with others by explaining it or participating in the activity with them, it still feels like two solo activities, you know, tow people partaking in one activity and having separate experiences. Whereas with music when either created or shared it spans beyond any other activity I can think of. This universal connection appears both when I write music, perform music and listen to music ā and mostly the former two.Ā Both when I write a new song, or rather when the song borrows me to be written, and when I perform there is a profound connection when I get out of the way. The connection is like a dialogue. In the writing of music the dialogue is between the Universe and the language of music and when I perform the dialogue, the dance is between the music and the different souls involved; me, the audience &, in the case of performing in the subways, whoever happens to be hanginā around on the platforms. I know no other art form that can move energy as music can. Nothing else has the vibrational power that music has. I would sooner liken music to the power the rhythm of the oceans surf has on a soul over a sculpture or piece of fine art. I appreciate all art and it all has great power and potential to move energy, but music has the added power of vibrational energy that in turn can transform a mood with one opening note or chord form a well loved song. Personally, when I am away from music and itās power for very long, I begin to wither. Itās my sustenance more so than food or drink. And I know this to have been true for me since I was a small child and has continued since in my life.
No. 2) Ā What inspires you?Ā
Gosh ā life. I know that sounds trite perhaps but tiās true. Everything, everyone I see, hear, touch, encounter in life gets translated in me into music & lyrics. It either gets used in the moment or āstoredā for later use for me to draw on. I love how a phrase contains an entire song in itās innate rhythm. I love how being moved by the energy of a perfect day or itās contrasting difficult situation can both hold entire compositions inside. I love seeing the world through the lens of sound, rhythm and words and observing what gets spit out musically as a result.
No. 3) Ā When you are playing, creating, singing, where does it take you? Ā Where does your mind travel?
Ahā¦.good question. When writing, my mind has to actually āleaveā in a way. It has to leave in the sense that we usually use our mind and become 100% available and at service to the song. So in a way, if youāre familiar with mediation of any kind, thatās where the mind goes. It goes to source and only in that way can the song truly speak through you. I never made the connection between that state of being thatās necessary for composition and performing until I performed in the trains here in NYC. I had performed all my life on stage, in National tours, on cruise ships, TV, Film Radio etc and never did I really step out of the picture until I hit the platforms and sang in the NYC Subways. But the very first day I did that something left me. Something left and what remained allowed me complete freedom, abandon and pure happiness. I realized after writing āThe Subway Diariesā that what had left was my ego. And in ditching my ego I was left in that pure, I guess you could say meditative space where it was, once again, me, the music and the energy I just happened to be sharing with, oh a couple of thousand strangers on the Uptown A platform : ) The reason this happens in the subways is there is really no space for oneās ego when you sing there. No one cares if youāre there or not, no one even knows youāre there unless you get out of the way and be 100% in the music. Only then do you move them, touch them and only then are you gifted as well with effortlessness and a kind of weightless out of body experience. You see, on stage, you can often get away with āthe imageā, āthe packageā, āthe lookā ā and one can even hide behind that mirage on stage. Iām not saying by doing so youāre making art, itās just that the environment allows for the ego to participate and the music to take a back seat to the ego. Butā¦.in the trains, there is no ambiance, no lights, no sound system, no costumes or make up or invites or production and the only, the only thing you are left with is being true to your art and moving people or being ignored for making noise. The former is much more fun. When you do āloose your mindā in essence, while performing or writing, magic happens & when you pop back in, you and the audience, you and the music, you and the song thatās being birthed is right there, in front of you, carrying everyone who hears it.
No. 4) Ā Do you think music, painting and health are related and if so, how?
Absolutely related. I feel strongly in the healing power of all art forms and especially as I mentioned above, in the healing power of music. Mostly because of the healing powers of the tones and vibrations. Did you know that the Egyptian Pyramids were originally built not as tombs but as healing vessels. They were tuned to specific tones and people would enter to different parts of the pyramids, containing different tones, all depending on what their ailment happened to be. The most frequently used tone for healing was F#. When you realize that it makes you wonder about the path āmodernā medicine has taken and what healing tools we may actually have right in our own iPODs I do know, however that if I have any ailment, if I go underground & sing, whatever was āeatingā at me is gone by the time I leave the trains. The power of the breath and vibration is palpable daily to me. Finally, anything anyone can do to ālooseā themselves, let their mind ābeā, discharge oneās ego, let if go off duty for a time can be nothing but healing in nature.Ā I have many more thoughts on this subject but Iād be typing forever.
No. 5) Ā How do you feel when you are playing music, singing?
Particularly when I am in the trains singing, I feel 100% free. I feel that way especially in the trains or as I discovered at numerous busking festivals this summer, anywhere where I am busking for the public. It is the most selfless and selfish activity I have experienced short of a long summer run or bike ride along the River. In short Iām in heaven. Iāve even mentioned a few times to my friends in the trains that āI could seriously die right here on the platforms and be completely contentā. I feel that good
No. 6) Ā Do you identify with your songs and if so, on what level?
Iām assuming you mean both the ones I write and the covers I perform and of course I do identify with them. I identify with different songs though for different reasons. Some I identify because of their lyrics, some because of their melody and some just because their rhythm makes me want to dance and I love to watch it do the same for others. Often times a song will āmorphā for me, For example it willĀ be a good song that speaks to the masses on one day and the next, depending on what has happened to me that day or week, it will become a sincerely personal message Iām conveying through the very same song. So, yes I do identify, each song for itās own unique reasons and those elements are fostered, highlighted in what moves me by what I or others have been recently experiencing.
No. 7) Ā Under what conditions do you work best?
Gosh ā relaxed I guess. And one would not, innately think of the Subways as ārelaxedā but for me the trains are where I exhale. Same goes for songwriting but Iād add to songwriting āinspiredā as itās much more powerful to combine me getting out of the way with a specific inspiration. In a performance, the audience fills is my inspiration. So those are the two elements, relaxed (out of the picture) and inspired.
No. Does playing music, singing, help you connect with your Higher Self, whatever that is for you? Ā (Youāve answered this actually)
Yes. I have found through the years, and especially through my experience performing in the NYC Subways that without that connection to āhigherā or ātrueā self, itās not music ā itās simply uninspired noise filling up airspace. But with that connection honestly I have found you can sing any words, any melody anything & if youāre connected to source it will move peopleĀ ā ie if I am moved, they are moved. I donāt use the term āhigher selfā very often as I believe that what is insinuated in that term is a separation between you and something outside of you. And in truth, in my experience there is no distinction, and to separate ourselves from our own truth, even in language, does a disservice to each one of us. I believe that what we see as tangible (the house, the car, the job, the clothes etc) are less of a reality than that truth/source that we all hold inside. I know that may seem odd to some but I feel that we see with our five senses is somewhat āold hatāā¦someone elseās manifestation. Whereas the energy and vibrational power each of us holds to endlessly create is enormous and rarely tapped in society as itās stood over the pat hundreds of years. However I do see that changing andĀ people āwaking upā to their own inner truths and power which is energizing and exciting. This interview is a prime example of that awakening in action. Years ago these questions would not have been asked and now youāre out there firing away, digging beyond what weāve for so long considered ārealā. I want to thank you for that.
No. 9) Ā How do you feel about creativity in the public school system, its development and even its use in problem solving for instance?
I have directed, taught and held master classes in the Public School system mostly in DC and have seen the power arts and athletics, hold for young souls in their ability to express themselves freely. There are so many rules in society now & the rules appear to continue to compound daily. The arts is essential for children and adults alike to reclaim their power and āsourceā amidst the rules, regulations and other peopleās manifestations of what a functional society āshouldā look like. I also believe however, having also taught in private schools, that the arts are as vital in the private educational system as they are in the public. I have found that the pressure for kids to succeed in pre-determined ways by their parents and society is beyond oppressive and begins as early as kindergarten in some social circles. I have taught in such environments and to be honest, the kids are so tied up in knots even by the age of 7 or 8 that itās almost harder in those environments to help them find their true voice, as by that time they are already more concerned about what others may think than what makes them truly happy. Kids in the public schools may have other elements working against them, such as lack of funds etc but Iāve found the children in public schools much more free and still in many ways, in touch with who they are and what they dream of than many in private institutions. Those in public schools, in my experience, have still been granted the freedom to dream and believe in their dreams. Whereas in private schools (unless itās an arts school) the ādreamā has often been ātrainedā out of them at a very young age and they have already in a sense, substituted their truth for someone elseās.Ā Short answer ā yes, arts, athletics-anything that fosters creativity and freedom of self is vital to the complete development of all young souls.
No. 10) Ā In your opinion, what could be a simple solution to improve creativity in the public school system?
Wow ā big question and Iām not sure most would consider my answer āsimpleā but a āsolutionā can be simple if/when we achieve a shift in consciousness about our priorities and what education really means. Meaning, we need to make a shift from an attitude of ātrainingā our children to memorize and recreate what past generations have done over and over again, to a mind set that each new soul on this earth has something unique and magical to bring to this planet. And our schools should be an environment of exploration and discovery, filled with adventures and breakthroughs that encourage our new souls to push the limits of what we think is possible, not memorize what we have done so we can re-create what we already see in front of us over and over again. If that sole change was made in how we approach education ā the new souls coming to this earth now & in āschoolā can & will ( and many despite the current system still do) change the world at a pace faster than anyone can imagined. In my opinionĀ we are not the teachers of the children. They areĀ our teachers. We areĀ their students. They are here to teach us whatās new & shiny & cominā āround the corner. Its our job to support their brilliance, be their when they fall, make sure they feel supported and safe as they guide us past everything we thought possible. But itās not our job as educators to āforceā old news of was onto a child who already, from birth knows his/her likes. dislikes and path. With that one shift ā the words āschoolā, āinsitutionā and āeducationā would take on completely new meanings.
No. 11) Ā What made you decide at some point to go play in the subway (metro) stations?
Well, itās all written out in detail in my bookĀ The Subway Diaries – thatās one of the reasons I wrote the book because people kept asking me that question and the answer is ā¦ well I guess long enough to write a book about Very short answer is I had an accident (which Iām now 100% recovered from) and it was the one thing I could think of doing to stay creative and earn a living while I was recovering. Since that first day underground, however, it has become so much more. The trains have literally changed my life. (see The Subway Diaries on Google or excerpts on my website for more detail. Or you can get a copy at
No. 12) What compelled you to write your book Ā the Subway Diaries?
The phenomenal subculture of artists and musicians that exist underground in the city of NY. That community and the freedom they allowed me as an artist has changed my life. I also wrote it, not just as a personal journey, but as a sociological study of that magical subculture that exists underneath the streets of New York. I wrote it as well, as a wake up call to the choices we have made as a society above ground. Every time Iād descend into the trains it would hit me like a ton of bricks how far off track weāve gotten with our priorities. It hit me that with all the emphasis above ground on money, power, status, youth and beauty and greed, that weād lost track of what we as humans actually thrive on. Itās what we thrive on continuously underground ā truth, art, happiness, generosity, kindness, compassion, art, joyā¦thatās why Iām there, thatās why I wrote the book.
No. 13) What do you hope to transmit through your music
Movement ā movement of energy, be a happy, make-you-want-to d-dance energy or an energy that helps you remember something you had forgotten in the past. If I can move a soul with a song; move a soul to dance, clap, smile when they had been otherwise frowning, to laughter, to tears. If I can move a soul, even one soul, Iāve done my job. Thatās why I write, thatās why I sing. Thatās why I live. To absorb life and convey that movement back out into the universe. To me thereās nothing better than to be a part of that magical process.
Heidi, thank you again for sharing so very generously with us, your thoughts and feelings and talent.Ā I feel grateful that our paths have crossed and I am looking forward to working with you again.Ā Until then my friend, keep well and be blessed!
TO THE READER :
You are cordially invited to visit Heidiās links below to find out more about this wonderful artist.Ā I urge you as well to get a copy of her book The Subway Diaries which you can get via the link below.Ā As always, your comments are welcome and I thank you.Ā Enjoy!
www.thesubwaydiaries.com/epk.htm
www.bohemiantherapypublishing.com
photo credits: Harvey Manger-Weil,
About
My name is Michele Andree. I am an artist, I paint musicians in action. I think Iām a musician at heart, my instrument beingā¦ a brush, so I playā¦brush and I paintā¦ music.
I love jazz. I call it freedom music. It promotes special values. I love intelligent people and good conversations.
Some people ask me how music relates to art. Personally I find they go hand in hand. Music is what turns me on to painting. It makes me see colours
As we move towrds 11/11/11 & beyond #OWS
If you are still wondering about Why Occupy Wall Street is … thisĀ list which Occupy Wall Street released one month ago, remastered into this short Youtube video pretty much says it all:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGR5UQJLQvU&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
#OccupyWallStreet
Above Ground @ Occupy Wall Street 2011
As most of you know, despite the two weeks of media blackouts by mainstream, we, @ Occupy Wall Street have taken over what was formerly known as Zucotti ParkĀ – now re-named, Liberty Park and holding numerous marches and protests throughout the city. The largest of which was yesterday and was host to a dozen major US Labour Unions and over 10,000 demonstrators.
I spoke of this happening in “The Subway Diaries”Ā – I foreshadowed it a few times as I observed the “Cracks in the Economy” and saw what it would lead to.
The movement has grown to include over 200 US cities and globally in multiple countries.
You can get more information on the movement and events in your city here: http://www.occupywallstreet.org
Yesterday’s march was filled with enormous energy and love until the cops did what they’ve been doing, relatively randomly and without much warning to us, a group of peaceful protesters. This particular incident was police violence against reporter Luke Rudkowski and won’t be shown by your local stations, of that you can be sure: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YXuvhg8Ahw&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
If you can’t make it to NYC and wonder what it’s really like down @ Occupy Wall Street – watch this video [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/30081785[/vimeo]
And here are some photos from the march & rally singled out & on my Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150329430169477.364693.673319476&l=271667a2ca&type=1
Taylor rocks the “A” train & singin’ 4 @OccupyWallStreet
So, tonight, before the cops messed me,the father of this little 8yr old girl named Taylor asked me “What should she do if she thinks she wants to sing?” My answer; “If she wants to sing, she should sing. Kids always know their calling. There’s rarely a question mark with them” – at which point I called Taylor up & handed her my mic & guitar (which she does not yet play btw) & let her have at the audience @ 42nd St. I was so proud of her! š #goTaylor!
Tonight, after Taylor (featured above: ) handed me back my guitar & mic I sang…I sang for Occupy Wall St. & our all-connectedness and though I was far away from Wall St there @ 42nd, every time I spoke the words “& this one’s for @Occupy Wall Street “- the platform erupted in cheers. It let me know and you should too @Occupy Wall Street , that this city is 100% behind you. Even if they are not all physically down there @Liberty with you, they and their energy are with you. Know that, feel that & let it propel you forward @Occupy!
I’m sure at this point, even though it’s taken over two weeks for the press to cover, you’ve seen some of the footage – but if you’ve not, here are a few links to fill you in on what’s going on here in NYC
& Finally, on my way home, I always pass these guys, but tonight the irony just smacked me in the face …
“They must find it difficult…Those who have taken authority as the truth, Rather than truth as the authority…” ~G.Massey – Egyptologist
Peace, Love & Namaste to all of us in our peaceful protests that one day soon we WILL have a voice & we WILL be heard ~ Heidi & The Subway Diaries
Dstripped, Stunts, Taking Wall Street & Tonight’s Sunset ~
This Fall DStripped Magazine is featuring “The Subway Diaries” in it’s newest edition now in print here http:/www.dstrippedmagazine.com and soon to be available @ your local Barnes & Noble store in October!
And yesterday I did the first of a few days of stunt work on a horror film called “Found Footage”Ā – it was a rainy day but warm & the first day went well -Four of us were lynched –Ā lovely, right? š
And perhaps most importantly, I want to make everyone aware of what is going on here in NYC and multiple cities around the US. The mass media is not only not covering this but has banned all coverage of the protests – so to be aware and tuned in to what is going on you must connect on Facebook or Twitter via sites such as this http://www.occupywallst.org
Here are some photos from what is going on – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/media/set/?set=a.10150297287072282.331872.680962281
And here is a a video of today in Union Square where the NYPD put up Police Netting before conducting mass arrests of the peaceful protesters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z5AyGANrRk
“You know you’re doing something right, something of vital importance when mainstream media intentionally blocks all coverage of it’s occurring” #thatsthelitmus” ~ yours truly
PS here is their food fund for those of you who want to help & are not in NYC to physically protest – https://www.wepay.com/donate/99275
And finally here is tonight’s sunset over the Hudson from my window in 45P – be aware, be awake, the world is shifting – Namaste world from Heidi Kole & The Subway Diaries ~
Angels, Virtual Shopping & Love Until It Hurts
I had a tough day today so I grabbed my guitar & headed under regardless of it being 9PM at night by the time I got to the platforms.
There was a Cuban vocalist singing Spanish love songs on the Uptown A,C,E so I sat on the bench & waited ’till he was done since he said he wasn’t going to be much more than 20 minutes more
I sat down next to a happy, round-facedĀ Hispanic woman named Tina with her shopping bags on her lap. One was a huge MACY’S bag and I asked her; “So, what did you get?” as I pointed to the bag.
“Oh” she said confidently, “I found it”
“You found what?” I said as I peered into surprisingly empty bag
“I found the bag and it made me smile because even though I didn’t have the money to go shopping, I feel like I’ve gone shopping just carrying it”
“Oh my God, that’s brilliant. It’s like virtual shopping!”Ā I said to her & she smiled back a very proud smile.
Sing of the times – I thought to myself … maybe we’ll all be taking a hint from Tina soon and doing all our shopping ‘virutally’ : )
We chatted some more & she told me she and her boyfriend had just broken up but, “I really love my freedom” she added “We have things in common & he is very well to do, but I love my freedom too.” she added, her round, jovial cheeks glowing.
The then reached into her purse for a pen and said “I have something for you” She pulled out a green pen and folded her prize Macey’s bag onto her lap. Then she proceeded to write as she spoke these words:“Ama hasta que Te duela y si te Duele, es un buena senal” ~ Mother Theresa (which, translated means, Love until it hurts & if it hurts it’s a good sign” ~ Mother Theresa
“Keep this” Tina said, “Keep it near you and you will remember it’s power”
Tina proceeded to buy a copy of “The Subway Diaries”, sharing more of her relationship woes and stayed for the first 1/2 hour of my time on the platform. After she left, sharing big hugs and kisses with me , her energy remained.
I continued to sing and to be quite honest, the love that started the night continued non stop through out the evening. Commuters donated, smiled, blew & gave kisses and shared hugs with me all night long. Many shared their stories of where they were from, where they were going and how the music had moved them this evening.
I share this night’s adventures with you guys out there in “The Subway Diaries” – Land because I am eternally beyond floored at what these trains give me daily, nightly, week after week, month after month. I want you to know. I never know where these ‘angel’s come from – I never know where they go afterward as I rarely see the ‘angels’ again. But I have no doubt now, after 6 yrs underground, that angels do exist.I know they exist & I hope you too may be inspired to listen for the angels as they talk to you. Because they will, if you listen closely : )
Love & Peace Heidi & The Subway Diaries