Total Access Live InterviewLyricist and Poet Stephen Kalinich
Interview by Steven Zuckerman"To me the definition of success
is how many lives have you touched with a genuine sincere caring."
-- Stephen KalinichSteve Kalinich is a poet and lyricist living in Los Angeles, and is the only credited person to have written with all three Wilson brothers. He remains friends with Brian, his daughters and ex-wife Marilyn. After attending the Pet Sounds concert, he was moved to write poem especially for this book.
Brian Wilson had this to say about Stephen Kalinich: "He is a poetic genius."
His website is found at StephenKalinich.com |
You have come to a very special and powerful place in your life.
How did you get there and what did you have to give up in order to get there?
I had to give up myself, surrender my entire being to Love -- which I still have to do every day. Like all souls, I fall short, But I keep trying to know.
Good is more powerful than its opposite, in fact Good is the real, the other that appears as lack is really posing the question to my being every second. So I have to give up every attachment. Every feeling. Every Hope. Every desire. I have to humble myself give it all up. When I do this even in a small degree Then I gain everything.
Real success is not fame and money
Accumulation, but being able to live every day in the real world
Facing the problems that we face moving through the shouting from my soul
The petty disagreement is a wasteThe trifle matter is not important in the long run
What is essential Is did I stir someone reach one soul, make a difference, an impact...
Did I love in human terms that someone can understand.
Did I become a feather of Love
So the weight of my assistance is graceful and not felt.Does this answer the question?
It is not only ideas
Lofty Ideas but the practical application.How do I live with them?
How do I use them in my Life?
How do I help others and help myself.
Is peace possible for the Planet?How do we achieve it?
One by one.
Where does the creative process originate from?I believe it is within us deep down beyond our individuality that it is scooped up when we swim in the reservoir The ocean of creation -- the source of all of us. The real creative process is not just to write the concerto - The song - Paint the painting - Dance the ballet - The hip hop serenade - The real creative process must be transforming in our individual lives applied to daily living -- a recognition. We are creative not Creators.
Love is the only creator.
We drink from its well.
The more we recognize this
the more Life opens up to us.
When do you like to create?I like to create when ever I can
When I feel happy to share to touch others, to encourage them, to develop themselves, to awaken to their own creativity. This can give them coping tools for survival.The world is not an easy place. Navigation is rough but we must never give up, never stop. We must give every soul the ability to get in touch with the juice of aliveness that runs through them. That is their very breath and heartbeat.
What motivates you?I am motivated by many things. Sometimes I need a jump start. I think the silence, the sheer stillness -- at the center of my heart... In the Nakedness Of Nature.
A cool breeze the sun caressing my skin, the tingling sensation.
Life is complex. I complicate it. How can I untangle the knot? Loosen the strangle hold around my soul? The weights of sadness and discontent and unhappiness that surround me every day? The bad news, the terrorism? The tragedies? How do I swim in this? When the inspiration diminishes or dwindles, how do I survive? How do I go on? How do I face a new day and rise up out of my own pain and be concerned and care for the world?
What are the problems you see within the [music] industry and how can they be fixed?My view is we need to give more people outlets for their creativity
Not just to open up our own following and fan base but to say as an artist, as a creator I call out the Creative within you. It is not about money, success or fame -- it is about access.Access opening up to more people, many wonderful ideas do not reach the public. We need men and women involved who do not just care about the bottom line profits, but that care about the human condition.Today's media in general is celebrity and fame-driven. There needs to be a more even distribution and communication of ideas... a more open exchange and less elitism. We must care about life and living things. Develop generosity of spirit. We need transformation and change. We must never settle and know each new day will make different demand upon us. We must find a way to restore sanity to the world.
Is it possible to create a new [music] industry?I believe it is possible to create new ideas all the time. A new industry centered of love with built in checks and balances where no one individual with money or power can dictate all the possibilities. I believe do not only give us what we want as the public But give us what we need. Does this answer any of it? We can continue the dialogue. There is a market the major record companies and a majority of the Indies have missed. The audience of people who are 35 years old and over who grew up on music from the 60s and 70s. Great songs, great songwriters, great producers, great artists.
Do you feel there is a need to create a new vehicle to help artists who appeal to this audience -- reach this audience?I definitely do. We need to be able to get these record, books and products to more people. Even if they sell only minimal copies if they help or entertain people they should have a market and a distribution A way to reach out. We need more of this for sure. We need a radical transformation. We need more consciousness of kindness and Love sharing not just dominating and winning.
What are some of the highlights of your career?I think one of the greatest highlights is the opportunity to work with Brian Wilson.The most sensitive-Sweetest-Kindest friend I could have. He cares for me like a brother. He believes in me. Soul to soul.
Another highlight is writing with and experiencing the sheer magnificent creative Artistry of P.F. Sloan. His song on Beethoven is one of my favorite songs of all time. It has lifted me out of depression so many times. He is gifted inspired and another true friend.
The other highlight was working with Dennis.
Little Bird on the Beach Boy friends album said
A little bird looked down and sang a song to me of how it began.
(Creation continues it is never ending.)
The trout in the shining brook gave a warm and loving look
and told me dont worry about my lifeDont worry about your Life.
(You are nourished protected and cared for by Divine Love.I have had so many highlights.
To me the definition of success is how many lives have you touched with a genuine sincere caring.
What are some of the highlights of your life?I guess I answered some of them. My other highlight are my great friends Daniel and Marilyn Wilson Rutherford, Gisela and Dick and Danielle Guttman, Wendy and Carl Wilson, Carnie Wilson and her husband Rob. I love them like family. I love so many people. When I have more energy I will name more of them.
While there are obstacles in our way on a daily basis, what advice can you provide to people experiencing obstacles?OVERCOME THE OBSTACLE
LEARN TO SAY NO STAND ON YOUR OWN
KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW
STRAIGHT TALK
DEAL WITH LIFE SQUARELY
DO NOT REACT AUTOMATICALLY
BREATHE IN TENSE SITUATIONS.EXPRESS KINDNESS AND LOVE
DEVELOP LISTENING AND PATIENCE...