Jon Dunbar is a copy editor at The Korea Times, as well as editor of the Foreign Community page and curator of the Korea Times Archive. If you have suggestions for possible articles, or wish to contribute articles yourself, contact jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr.
Geoffrey Lewis finds solace in community on album exploring 5 stages of grief
The album cover of "MiddleKid" by Geoffrey Lewis shows the artist at age 3. Courtesy of Geoffrey Lewis
By Jon Dunbar
Partway through putting together his latest mini-album, American singer-songwriter Geoffrey Lewis started to see a pattern in the songs. The new songs he was creating closely mirrored the five stages of grief.
Lewis had recently lost two friends, one to cancer and the other to suicide, and his grief influenced him to write the song "Back to Sender."
"While reflecting on that, I noticed a unique pattern in the music," he said. "They seemed to cover the five stages of grief, and I think that's what I had been experiencing in the making of this album."
The songs go through all five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, from stuttering "d-d-d-d-denial" in the opening track "Kinky D" through the acceptance of "Back to Sender." (Lewis admitted he swapped the songs representing anger and bargaining for the sake of flow.)
"We're just constantly going through things and trying to deal with them, in minor ways or major ways," he told The Korea Times during an impromptu interview on the sidewalk in central Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon (HBC) neighborhood. "I think that I've been going through a lot of these emotions in my life. And for me, it comes out in song form. It's my way of dealing with them and processing them."
Geoffrey Lewis hangs out with his dog Cappuccino in front of Social Haven, their favorite watering hole in central Seoul's Haebangchon, Saturday. Courtesy of Rosie Kim
Titled "MiddleKid," the album "is a tender and thoughtful exploration of grief, crafted with both emotional honesty and musical finesse," Honey Testino said in a review on IndieClout.
The songs are crafted professionally and warmly, bringing out the full character of Lewis' soulful voice, while surrounding him with a rich soundscape that features guest musicians and vocalists.
On "Back to Sender," he's joined by Zoe Yungmi Blank on backing vocals and surrounded by a chorus of other people.
"What I learned while making this song is that there's a community there, for us here," he said. "If you look around, there's a community for you that wants to help you out. And they helped me out on this song."
10 years on Seoul's stages
The new album also marks a significant milestone for Lewis, who said he first gathered the courage to perform music live on a stage 10 years ago.
"In 2015, my friend visited Korea and he played music and he wanted to go out to an open mic. I was really nervous and I didn't have the experience yet. And I kind of was like, 'OK, I'll go out with you, but I don't know if I'm going to play.' It was at Hidden Cellar in HBC. So we're down there for just an open mic. And I was like, 'OK, I'll get up and play a couple songs,' right? And so I got up and I felt kind of comfortable," he said.
"Of course it was nerve-racking and I just did the best I could with what I had. And from there, it just built into something where this community has given me the opportunity to perform consistently and to collaborate with many amazing musicians."
After that first experience, he had the chance to perform at HBC Fest. He continued to perform at almost every edition of the twice-a-year festival for the rest of its run until 2022.
"Every year I would do that with such joy because it was just so cool," he said. "And I felt it was important to be a part of the community and the community gave me a lot. Throughout my process as a singer-songwriter, it's played a big part as kind of a destination where I gotta write some new songs or get stuff together so that I can perform at this festival in this neighborhood, which I hold very dear to my heart."
Geoffrey Lewis leans in front of a closed restaurant in Seoul's Haebangchon, Sept. 19, 2022. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar
Also in 2022, Lewis made it onto the list of performers for the first Block Party, a music and arts festival held in various venues around HBC and neighboring Gyeongnidan, and he has played every one since.
"I really, really hold a lot of admiration for what (HBC Fest organizer) Lance (Reegan-Diehl) did for years," he said, "and how (Block Party organizer) Jamie (Finn) picked up the mantle and carried it forward."
This weekend will be Lewis' fourth Block Party. He's scheduled to appear at Casa Amigo on Saturday around 9:15 p.m.
"I'm really excited about playing again this year. In front of me is the Jonnybirds, which I highly respect. And Jenny Wai is after me. She is an amazing musician. She's playing with Zach Bardon and Jeremy Heaven as well," he said.
"This community has helped me because there's so many talented people. I owe everything to this community and the people that are here."
Visit geoffreylewismusic.bandcamp.com to listen to "MiddleKid," or follow @blockpartykorea on Instagram for more information about the festival this weekend and to buy tickets.