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Post by Xanadu on Dec 19, 2003 19:13:20 GMT
I was looking over my collection of Kate interviews, both in print and on vinyl the other day... and had an idea I'd like to launch here. Could we possibly have a board under "Deeper Understanding" simply titled something like: "In Kate's Words"? I know she doesn't like quotes taken out of context, and this is not idea. I have many simple quotes that have touched me that are not really open to much interpretation. Just simple meaningful statements she has made about her fans, music, and life. This would just be a place to share moments each of us have come across in our journey of enjoying Kate's career that have moved us or made us laugh, much like a lyric in a song. No holding Kate accountable to comments here... just quotes, approximately where you came across it, and why it meant anything to you. I'd like the board to start off with three quotes (mainly due to their nature, I think they'll explain my direction): "I think quotes are very dangerous things." "I don't care if people like me or not - I am what I am, I do the best I can, and that's what matters." "It's very moving that a lot of people that I don't know are so supportive of what I do. I don't tour, I don't give them that much, really. Obviously I try to make the best music that I can, but after about two years of making an album you start to worry: 'Is it going to come out all right? Is it all going to sound churned out?' And then you get odd little letters from fans here and there encouraging you, and that's a fantastic boost. I suppose I hope that if I keep an integrity in my work, then they'll always feel that." I think a board under "Deeper Understanding" is probably the best place, and would add to the comprehension of her state of mind when writing her songs. Please let me know if anyone agrees, and I'll re-post these quotes at the beginning if Lori sets it up. Zan
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Post by Xanadu on Jan 21, 2004 19:13:10 GMT
I suppose only Lori liked this idea, since I posted it here to see if there was any additional interest. I sort of liked the idea , but I needed a little advice as to the structure. Al? Besides, although I have many interviews and quotes, I'd like other contributors. And of course, with the understanding that I have posted above... specifically NOT to analyze each and every word she said, but to share some generalizations about life, love, music, herself and her fans.
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Post by Al Truest on Jan 21, 2004 22:32:33 GMT
Since you asked... ....I think it should be it's own board. The title "Reaching Out" Kate in her own words. The structure would be threads maybe: * In her own words. Quotes by Kate * Interviews * Guest apperances * Kate references (mentions by others and comparisons) You could always do "Kate by Decade" too, where you compared her lyrics and interviews with the time the were written, showing patterns and progressions of development. Just my thoughts. Maybe if you prefered this format, you could moderate it. The Deeper understanding board could then develop slowly on it's own, without adding a moderator? :::me thinking out loud:::
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Post by Al Truest on Jan 21, 2004 23:52:28 GMT
I hope my request for my own new board doesn't kill this idea. It still could be included in the Deeper Understanding board, if Lori is hesitant to add one more board. Sorry Lori and Zan, I have trouble keeping quiet. ;D But don't let the thought die, 'cos info about Kate quotes and interviews is about the only thing we're missing here. Everything else should have a spot already.
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Post by Lori on Jan 21, 2004 23:55:18 GMT
I feel that this is an idea to be tested first (maybe in general) as a single thread. I'm not sure it's big enough to have it's own board.
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Post by Xanadu on Jan 22, 2004 0:23:15 GMT
I feel that this is an idea to be tested first (maybe in general) as a single thread. I'm not sure it's big enough to have it's own board. I think I'll have to agree with Lori here, although if there's enough interest Al's plan is a good way to go. I like the single thread idea, then see how it progresses. But, I didn't want it to get buried in the General Board. Actually, that reminds me.... Al had mentioned a board dedicated to topics about Kate, not big enough for their own board, but important threads not to be buried (i.e. Kate's Influence, Kate's Appeal, etc.) Do you remember this discussion? I think it involved voting on our favorite or most important threads.
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Post by Al Truest on Jan 22, 2004 0:34:31 GMT
We're getting so big that we're already thinking how to streamline. You guys have the right idea. I do remember those favorite threads. Maybe we will logicall evolve into grouping certain things together.
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Post by Xanadu on Mar 20, 2004 23:20:49 GMT
Well, I guess I'll play in here by myself, since there's apparently little interest. I think it's worth discussing and by reading interviews (understanding, they are read with a grain of salt) helps to understand myself better. These are excellent questions, I wished I'd asked them myself. For example: INTERVIEWER: What state of mind do you find the most creative - happiness or sadness?KATE: Definitely happiness (her face darkens suddenly and she loks sad) although I've heard a lot of people say how good work comes out of suffering. I think it's the happiness after suffering which is really inspirational.INTERVIEWER: The happiness in your music has a hysterical, over-elated quality, like sinister laughter that's hovering on the verge of tears. Does that reflect your feelings?KATE: I think happiness and sadness together are a fascinating combination - the putting together of two opposites, two opposing energies, is what I like to achieve in my music. A lot of comedy is terribly sad, for example, though it's presented in a way that is very funny. My favorite books and films are what I would call happy-sad things.INTERVIEWER: For example?KATE: Certainly one that stands out for me is A Book of Dreams, which inspired Cloudbusting. I read it years ago, and it's very dominantly sad, but with this uncanny edge of happiness the sort of hurts you - do you know what I mean? The two things together hurt you more. You couldn't have happiness without sadness, or there'd be nothing to relate happiness to.I know exactly what you mean, Kate. ;D This gave me more insight into what I enjoy about her music. I hadn't thought of it this way before, but I do seek out experiences like she describes. "Without the pain, we'd never change..." "Life is sad, and so is love..." "We're building a house of the future together..."
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Post by Al Truest on Mar 21, 2004 0:01:58 GMT
Not only are these good questions, but thoughtful answers to be given off the cuff. Again proving my allegiance to her as an artist is well founded.
The opposing forces dynamic is a recurrent theme in Kate's music. 'Love and Anger' 'Moments of Pleasure' and so on. It is a fundamental element of my own philosophy as well - having expressed these observations on several threads. Not only are these eastern ideas, they translate universally. Truth as well as happiness gains it's measure incrementally when compared to increasing degrees of it's opposing force.
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Post by Adey on Mar 21, 2004 0:35:52 GMT
I will be contributing to this. I regret that I've only just seen this for the first time today (Sat) - I'm not used to looking on the request board for significant posts!
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Post by Adey on Mar 24, 2004 12:52:54 GMT
I was just re-reading the part of this thread with the interviewers questions.
" The happiness in your music has a hysterical, over-elated quality, like sinister laughter that's hovering on the verge of tears... "
I am amazed that Kate even bothered to dignify this question/statement with a response!
My favourite Kate quote goes something like " In music, you have to break your back before you even begin to speak the emotion " (sorry, I couldn't find the actual words today).
This one speaks volumes to me, and probably to any creative person. The quote suggests that effective songwriting (art) is not effortless and that it takes hard work. Always worth saying..
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Post by Xanadu on Mar 24, 2004 19:16:43 GMT
" The happiness in your music has a hysterical, over-elated quality, like sinister laughter that's hovering on the verge of tears... " I am amazed that Kate even bothered to dignify this question/statement with a response! Thanks for responding here Adey, and I like your quote. I have also read that somehwhere before and I think you have the gist of it. But, I'll have to disagree with you about the above. In the interview, Kate didn't seem offended and the interviewer seemed fairly knowledgeable about her music. I am usually pretty skeptical about the interviews and articles, the only ones that seem clear are the recorded ones, but even those can be edited. So, I just agree with the description put forth here. I suppose you'd have to identify with the confusion of emotions at that level. Happiness so close to extreme sadness, fear this close to elation, the only choices for expression are tears or laughter. The sinister laughter comes from the understanding of your position. I hear this on Army Dreamers, GOOMH, Leave It Open, Big Stripey Lie, Suspended in Gaffa, Sat In Your Lap. etc. I relate to it, and find it an interesting reason I am drawn to her music. Actually I have read, on several occasions, that her inspirations come from this sort of emotion. I found it disturbing and comforting that I may share this unusual interest with her. Some of her most delicately written and beautiful material has a dark edge that allows it to exist and fans to appreciate her on multiple levels. I enjoy them all. I always search for a more complex level of emotional expression, and Kate always delivers. Take the words and delivery of these: "I don't know why I'm crying..." "...can't make me laugh and cry at the same time..." "I kept it in a cage, watched it weeping, but I made it stay..." "But I must stay and find a way to stop before it gets too much! All my barriers are going. It's starting to show. Let go." "I am the concierge chez-moi, honey. Won't letcha in for love, nor money. My home, my joy. I'm barred and bolted and I won't let you in. Get out of my house!" "And feel your tongue teasing and receiving. With your spit still on my lip, You hit the water." Thanks again to you too, Al. You have mentioned it before and I'm glad you saw where I was going. It truly is complex and amazing.
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Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
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Post by Sven Golly on Mar 25, 2004 3:26:51 GMT
The quote suggests that effective songwriting (art) is not effortless and that it takes hard work. Always worth saying.. I would modify this to say (in my humble opinion) that effective art flows effortlessly from the revelations and epihany's experienced from personal or vicarious joy, pain, or suffering.
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Post by Adey on Mar 25, 2004 12:45:38 GMT
I agree the ideas should!
Getting them down onto your chosen media less so..
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Post by Adey on Mar 25, 2004 12:53:01 GMT
Thanks for responding here Adey, and I like your quote. I have also read that somehwhere before and I think you have the gist of it. But, I'll have to disagree with you about the above. In the interview, Kate didn't seem offended and the interviewer seemed fairly knowledgeable about her music. Ok, but I still think that the question is so closed and assumptive. The lyrics that you have identified do demonstrate KB's heightened emotional state, and are all personal favourites of mine too. Isn't this honesty and perception part of the reason we all adore the music of KB so much?
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