There are very few musicians I have followed for several years, and even fewer whose releases I have collected as expansively as I have Stephen Kent's. Stephen is based here in my neck of the woods and does a weekly radio program on KPFA FM, "Music of the World". His Live presence is consistently gratifying and entertaining, whether he plays with a group or does solo material and I would say I have heard him play out something like ~ 7 times over the past eight years. His recordings are diverse and also range from solo didjeridu to group projects and all that I have heard are high quality productions. Kent is definitely one of my heroes for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that he truly holds himself in a delightful and down to earth way, despite his 'certifiable' mastery of the didjeridu.
When I started recording in earnest myself, and came out with the Outlaw Dervish disc, which was so deeply influenced by another of my musical heroes and the Co-Producer/Engineer, Ben Leinbach, I began approaching Stephen for some airply on KPFA. Getting radio play is no small trick for a new independent muso, and having launched into seeking this in various places for my music over the past two years, I can honerstly say that it requires diligence and verve.
So it was with great joy in my heart and big gratitude for my own creative journey as well as Ben's contributions to the Outlaw D disc that Stephen graced us with a rotation on Christmas Day 2008. Not only did he play "We Need Each Other", he also shared with me via e-mail that he has been listening to the album a lot at home and that he was surprised that he liked it! I asked him about that and he said that it takes a lot for him to get 'wowed' by didjeridu music - which makes total sense as he can truly rip with a depth and sweetness on this instrument (and many others!), as anybody who has listened to him play will attest. It has felt amazing to make this music, as it has to receive the praise and delight of some of my musical heroes. I do make the music for myself, in a very real sense, but to see and feel the ripples go out and carry others on them, well... that's also a great feeling, and that probably goes wothout saying.
Stephen has said he will play more of the tracks on the radio, so , I am looking forward to that with excitement and wonder and say a great big THANK YOU to Stephen for an awesome X-Mas gift in 2008...
As far as I can tell , per my tracking of the Outlaw Dervish tentacular reach, we are currently also enjoying rotation on the all Didjeridu station - DidgHeadRadio, out of the UK as well as on Groove Salad, SOMA FM - who have been consistently spinning "Shaken" for the last several months - two more awesome gifts by stations and creators whom I have come to regard highly on the basis of their mannerisms in dealing with me, as well as their commitment to great music.
In 2009 the aim is for some video activity with a soon to be released film for the ~ 5 minute tune, "We Need Each Other" which was shot and Produced by Daniel Watts, and for the Live Show to come fully into realization... Both are fully under way at the moment.
Looking forward to joining you 'in the mix'... Outlaw Dervish
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