The Shut-Ins

 

I will give a complete end-of-2022 post soon but until then here is a post about music. When I look back at the previous year, music played a huge role. I think 2022 has been my favorite year since I got my trach. Everyone one of my favorite memories has involved music. Whether it has been an orchestra in the park during a rain storm or the debut show of the Shut-Ins at FBC. Open mic nights, new bands, and a birthday. The Halloween and Christmas show. Practices at my house (I was in a dark place at the time so, sorry for being weird) and just quiet conversations. It was a year of music. Two people helped me a lot that year but I think these small moments saved my life. I think life is weird, funny, lovely, bizarre, hopeful, full of pain, and sometimes you get small perfect moments nestled in the absurdity. I hope these moments come when you most need them. I hope you use them when life is hard and unfair. I hope you don't waste it (that goes for me as well). I think that is enough for right now. The rest of the post is below.


I have been making illustrations for the band the Shut-Ins. Scooby-do and King of the Hill might have been blatantly ripped off. I will emit there is some nepotism in this post. I think this band is awesome even if my opinion might be biased. Alright, let’s get sad and motivated and stuff.

 

I have always loved music specifically singing. I think one of my earliest memories was singing songs to myself on the bus to school (a crip and singing to himself, please stick out more). I would sing in chorus until the end of 8th grade. During the summer I would have a potentially life-threatening back surgery. They would fuse two metal rods to my spine to keep my body from folding in half and crushing my lungs. I could write about that surgery and its repercussions for months but for now, all you need to know is my lungs were significantly weaker. I couldn’t project my voice like I used to, so I gave up singing in school.


Remember that whole article I wrote about failure well I didn’t fail I didn’t even try. Even today I regret not even trying to do music after that point. Most of the advice I give are things I wish someone told me growing up. Fast forward seven years and I had another life-altering surgery. Instead of not being able to project my voice transformed into a mucus-filled garbage disposal that still couldn’t project (gross). Without knowing what I was writing this week someone brought up if I missed singing. Short answer yes. The long answer is you would think I would miss running or scratching my nose or peeing standing up but the thing I miss most is my voice. Anyways this article is not about loss it’s about my brother’s kickass band (Sorry I swore even though I am 33, mom). 

 

I think that is why I am excited about the band the shut-ins that my brother is a part of. To see a group of people using their talent, time, and hard work to pursue something I physically can’t do anymore inspires me. If they can be passionate about their craft, I can be passionate about mine. Even on bad days, it makes me want to create what I can (drawings and happy/sad motivation?). I want people to pursue their passions with everything they can. I know what it’s like when you can’t. It’s ok if you can’t sing. Maybe draw or write or mime, whatever inspires passion (not murder). I love watching people do what they love. I hope you let people inspire you like how all of you inspire me.

 

Kenton and the shut-ins thank you for letting me draw some crip art for you and be a small part of your amazing group of musicians. Kenton after all this time I still live vicariously through you thank you for being my voice. Until next time crips and non-crips, I believe in you.





Location: Rochester, NY, USA

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