Trilogies Make a Lot of Sense

We love trilogies. It's a classic format in the arts. In professional careers though, we often think in terms of long, One Act plays, and for many that works. But in 2021, with folks joining the Great Resignation (or the Great Renegotiation), I started to think about my career in terms of three Acts instead of one. And Act One, characterized by hierarchy, complexity, the left brain, compartmentalization, and laser focus, was having its curtain call.

Last August I went to the Oregon coast to visit with friends, and discovered that I am a beach person. I also discovered that I'm not the kind of "beach person" that you think of when you think of "beach person." Turns out I didn't prefer sitting around in the hot sun in a beach chair with a cold drink and music. I'd rather run around freely on a wild and windy beach like in the picture above. I also discovered that it was time to jump feet first into my Second Act, already with thoughts about a Third Act on the distant horizon. And so it was at this beach house that I revealed the icebreaker of my Second Act, by sharing, for the first time with others, a new and original music composition.

Earlier that summer, I started a musical effort called, Beau Frères. It was a patchwork collaboration with my very talented brother, Judah Kim, who engineered the recording of the first single, Derecho. Also on the recording was my dear friend, Keith Goudy, who himself had kicked off a creative renaissance of his own by learning to play the guitar later in life. All through my teens, 20's, and 30's, writing, playing, and performing music was a core part of my being. Sadly, I let that dry up for almost 20 years. So to kick start to my Second Act - and to not go quietly in my last year of my 5th decade of living - I did what anyone would do. Start a band! And though I've written dozens of songs over the years, I had to approach this like it was my first one. Thanks to Jeff Tweedy and his book, gifted to me by another friend, I learned to let go of my ego and voilà, Derecho was born!

Welcome to my Second Act. This Act will be about action, simplicity, the right brain, connectivity, and playful possibilities. More to come.