How We Made the Magic

This last episode is simply inspiring. Ruth Jurgensen, current CEO at Prep for Prep, former headmistress of several amazing independent schools throughout the US, did me the ultimate honor of attending my show and speaking with me about the experience. She reflects and refines the concepts of support, authenticity, and community with such ease, and it was a pleasure to speak with her!

summerbaby and I have known each other for over a decade, and it's been so special to both pursue our artistic goals after college. I wanted to interview her to get a sense of how a show impacts the people in the room, not just the people on the stage. Our discussion is sweet and really gets at the heart of what it takes to build an audience and make a show meaningful for other folks. Stay tuned for her work as she starts rolling it out this year!

Sharina Louise Sharpe has been on the New York scene for quite some time, from jams to bands to weddings to BACKGROUNDS FOR RIHANNA IN MUSIC OF THE SUN, and I have been very lucky to meet her as a friend, initially. She brings her lush, powerful voice and combines her fiery energy in a way that is so warm, grounding, and absolutely beautiful. We talk about art, motherhood, Native New York-ness (what's good Taylor Swift??), and what it means to let your freak flag fly.

Jon Toscano is a bass player and now a good friend, who I appreciate so deeply for his work. As he self-describes, he presides as the Elder Statesman of the Parkers, given his advanced age and senility (:P)-- but no seriously, he is the bassist for Omar Hakim, the jazz drum legend. And he doesn't stop growing and playing, whether it's with Haitian kompa bands, church services, or pop/rock outfits. He's truly a musician's musician.

Great talking with him and getting to hear his perspective on music direction, practice, and diversity.

Videos of his solos, and a transcription of this interview are available at www.patreon.com/oliviak

My bad y'all. I spent most of this episode gushing about Lauren to her face lol.

But Lauren Sara is one of the most brilliant minds I know, because she can put things together in such a powerful and intuitive way, combining her technical skill and her deep spiritual knowing into some of the finest forms of costumery you've ever seen. And for the last three years, she's also been doing this while being a full-time mom to two young rascals who are just as in on this as she is.

I talk with Angelica Mondol Viaña, a native Brooklynite also known as @angiefromtheblockk about her philosophy as a dancer and choreographer. She's Afro-Latina, from both Puerto Rico and Colombia, and as someone very rooted in both her culture and the New York City energy, she has been an incredible addition to my team.. She makes me look REAL GOOD.

Today, we talk about the power of play, honoring our culture, and how we embody someone and actually dance in their shoes.

TUNE IN.

Jo Lee is a masterclass in magicmaking.

Visual artist, graphic designer, website designer, merchandising designer, vocalist, songwriter, producer... you're probably tired of me listing out job occupations, but these are really what this Immaculate Being does. And does it well, I might add. Whether they are creating art or supporting small business endeavors, Jo does everything with STYLE.

Class is in session, kids.

Hey everyone! I'm Olivia K, singer, songwriter, and bandleader of Olivia K and the Parkers.

Last year, I sold out a show at Joe's Pub, and played one of the greatest shows I've ever done. We danced, we sang, and we received three standing ovations. I knew that we had done something different and important that other artists in my community were curious about. Right after, the moment felt so magical I knew what I wanted to do.. document it. That's how this project was born. It's part artist manifesto, part interview, part guide to how to access the creativity and process required to do a show like we did!

How We Made the Magic is a series of interviews and conversations I had with people involved in the creation of this show. Many of them were directly involved, some of them were on stage, and some were people who witnessed the show. I thought it was special to both talk about this project in particular and also give a view into these individuals' process. They are integral to my vision being actualized on a large scale, and they are my dear friends and collaborators.

Episode 1 features no one but me, because I wanted to bring you all through my process and vision before I added other folks into the conversation. Please enjoy and comment if you have anything, thoughts, questions, etc!!