This song is for Kelly Fraser. She is an Inuit musician, one of the greatest artists I have ever heard sing. And she left us one year ago. 

Because she wrote so many beautyful, powerful songs in my own language... I want to share a little bit of my challenging first attempts to learn hers, in its raw form, and allow myself to be openly vulnerable with the struggle to articulate words...since this is something demanded of artists every day, by the nature of our gifts (especially when translating and speaking across language barriers)...and yet we're expected to keep up a perfect image; and reveal no flaws, as if that is the goal of being human.

The song is also about my life, and the many friends I have had to say goodbye to. It is not my place to tell her story, and she has already done so with such grace, strength, and courage. So I am telling her (and you) my story. 

In my tradition, sound is among the most sacred elements of the Uni*Verse, and we are each keepers of sacred pieces (or keys) of the code. Meant to be reunited again someday. Like Kelly, I actually have Irish and Scottish ancestry myself, hence referencing the Book of Kells ("a book which turns darkness into light"). 

Without getting too deep into my spirituality, for those who don't follow, I am a channel of source code and often receive information and influence from beyond the realms of my limited consciousness. Much of this song came from a place inside me that doesn't belong wholly to me, which is why I want to share it with the world's people. It's hard to explain quite how much Kelly's work means to me, or why, but she touched my heart very deeply. And I believe in the future many people from all over the world will celebrate her.

I made this song to help process the grief I feel in her absence, and also to celebrate the incredibly profound gifts she gave to the Earth...and it was one of the most difficult songs I've ever put to words. I wish I didn't have to. My throat is closing back up on me just thinking about it. It was very hard almost just to make sound come out of my voice. I can only imagine what those closest to her have been through over the past year, and I hope my offering will be received/felt with the spirit of love and respect from which I make it. 

I'm very nervous about sharing it, to be honest, but I'm not sure if I have a choice. I wrote most of the lyrics on her 27th birthday this year (August 8th, 2020) and finished writing the song over this passed month. I recorded the vocal very late at night on December 24th, or early Christmas Morning depending on how you look at it. 

The Chi-Rho page of the Book of Kells, which is featured in the artwork for this song, is actually a representation of Christ's name in Greek: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, χριστός, or "christos" meaning 'an anointed one' (as in Christ*Mass, or Xmas, Chi resembles X and Rho is P). And this was the anniversary of Kelly's passing... Christmas Eve. 

I am not quite a Christian, but a Pagan who respects and honors all religions. This synchronicity may sound very deliberate on my part, but it wasn't so much. Synchronicity is in the nature of Spirit, and our code. Knowledge (in-formation) has a way of seeking me as much as I seek it.

I follow the threads I am given.

The music was remixed slightly from a beat called "Friend" produced by the artist: Foreign Made. I purchased the beat, from the artist, in late July (Leo Season), knowing that it would become something special but not yet having this tribute in mind.

I want to offer this song free of charge, to keep the essence of it clear and pure. But if you wish to show support, perhaps you could donate to a charity which Kelly made a video in support of:
https://www.ilovefirstpeoples.ca/ 

(&/or seek some of the many incredibly talented artists of the Inuit)

I also encourage all to watch this beautyful short documentary about her work:

Inuit singer-songwriter Kelly Fraser | Fight for the Rights
https://youtu.be/4Een1HuT5VY

888, Lion's Gate (Secret of Kells)

888, Queen of the Lion's Gate (Secret of Kells)

ithaca / / ny
atlanta / / ga
chicago / / ill
philadelphia / / pa
santa cruz / / ca
(by way of inland empire,
and born in new jersey)

music broadcast from planet earth
dirt, moonlight, sunbeams, rainwater, pebbles, 
things that go bloom

see also dj wee g
breezy leaves
& the unavailable for comment stanza bandit
for a good time

888, Queen of the Lion's Gate (Secret of Kells)

blosSsom