Hey, it's me. This here is a live audio recording of a headlining set of mine for The Daily Note Poetry Night at Crib PVD (courtesy of Humberto).
When I craft a set, I usually try to throw in some variety along with personal favorites. But when I get an extended period of time as a headliner, that's when I really hone in on crafting an experience.
This rainy night in September 2024 was a cozy gathering of people as we shared our souls with one another. I settled in on stage and turned a 20 minute set into about 30 minutes. And it honestly the aura in the room made me feel like I could've squeezed out 10 more.
"Love on a Rainy Night in September.", is not far off from my usual work: a bunch of love in many forms. The conventional romantic sense, love as a son and a father, grief of a loved one, and grey areas in-between.
These pieces, with exception of one of my favorites right now, "My Emotional Support Playlist.", are ones I don't typically perform either. "Keep Your Heart." and "Streets Of Rage." in this set are brand new to the world. "Tears Just Wanna Have Fun." was recently published in King Kojo Magazine, so it felt good to read that one out loud for maybe the third time ever, first time after edits. "Time Capsule." is being read here for the second time ever. And "I AM Going To Write You A Love Song." may be seeing the world for the third time.
Hopefully you enjoy these pieces, along with my silly banter between them, and that something in here connects with you as you're listening. It's raw, it's intimate, it's fueled by a drink and a half of Tito's and Espolon (separately, not together, I'm not an animal), it's a piece of me in the microcosm of life filled with countless minutes and moments and problems and honesty and pain and love.
If you want more, go to wherewordsplay.com
0:00 - 2:30 "I AM Going To Write You A Love Song." After Sara Bareilles
3:42 - 5:36 "Keep Your Heart."
6:38 - 11:40 "Time Capsule."
13:29 - 16:42 "Tears Just Wanna Have Fun." After Sadey Fournier
18:16 - 22:22 "Streets Of Rage."
23:28 - 28:40 "My Emotional Support Playlist." After Frank Ocean
Album cover using pics by:
Top Left - Dylan Conrad (@DylanConradPhoto on Instagram)
Top Right - Izzy Rodriguez (@ItsBaghead on Instagram)
Bottom Left - Dylan Conrad
Bottom Right - Rafael Medina (@RafeaksPVD on Instagram)
