We are songwriters on a journey. Hopefully each day uncovers new ingredients to music.

NEWSLETTER: June 19, 2026

1st thing, thanks.

The Djembe Funk record was a success. Thanks so much for sharing it and listening to it. I’ve gotten so many nice comments and warm vibes from it. It feels great to be me at the moment. 

I learned something with that record; I sound better than I can write about difficult topics. So I have upped the protest music, and toned down the written protest. Trying to play to strengths. Many of the words I spoke on the album were from the blog I’ve taken down. It was clear to me, I sound nicer than I type. Even with the same exact words.

Please enjoy a free download from GetMusic.fm.

About changing things up..

I’ve been changing things up. The more time I spend offline, the better I feel without it. I miss folks, but I don’t miss crowds in my head. If one or two people are in my head, I’m fine. But I don’t like what comes out when I feel like I am always performing, even if I always want to. 

I deleted the blog because I don’t want to be a voice in anyone’s head like they get to be voices in mine. Plus I’m wrong a lot of the times on my first guess so I decided to not be part of the clutter.

Since then, I’ve gone analog in the music room. I’ve learned screens are two way streets, not just me looking at them. Every program or app I was using was using me. So, no more screens where there’s recording or jamming. I am even mixing without screens too. New for me, but I love how gratifying it is. Turn a knob, something happens. 

I like knobs now.

I did’t expect to get so relaxed. My big takeaway from this is “wow! Am I laid back for what feels like the first time in forever?” Writing lyrics has been happening for several days, it’s easier. I don’t feel tense in my brain. And I can zone out on myself doing guitar or something musical for longer periods. I know screens engage us. I didn’t realize how much they wear us out. The news from out here is “the water’s great.”

Faders are fun too.

Plans? Releases? Irons in the fire?

I am busy with a friend’s remix/remaster. I have a lot of protest funk lyrics I’d like to jam out. But the main thing for me at the moment is The Kintners double-album coming on Christmas. I spend more time on that than anything, I am in love with it right now. I hope it will be a long, definitive Kintners’ playlist that is cohesive from start to finish. Hard work. But really, the best kind of work. Thanks again for the Djembe Funk love. Kelly

Album cover as it stands June 2026 but likely to change:

The album name and cover will probably change a hundred time before Christmas of 2026. Planning to have a Kintners Double Album by then, regardless what it is called or what it looks like. This is just where it’s at now.