The Fault Line in Fargo [Podcast #2]

This is part memoir, part meditation. Part interview, part investigation. It's an exploration of addiction, false purpose, and redemption. All from my time in Fargo, North Dakota. Recorded on the road. Play it like a record, not a single.

Play it on a long walk or with a cup of coffee. Huge thank you to Jayson, Nic, and Bear for your openness - and to Officer Zach Robinson for your courage. You guys all inspired me, and hopefully through your stories other people will pull their bow across the strings of their violin for the first time and hear their song. Listen: https://kaistraw.fanlink.tv/podcast-the-fault-line-in-fargo Kai

Win | Best Music Video: deadCenter Film Festival

Win | Dallas International Film Festival

I won the Audience Award for Best Music Video at Dallas International Film Festival. Huge thanks to DIFF for the selection and huge thanks to the audience for the award. The theater was full, and to hear such a loud response to the video in-person was such an inspiring thing.

The video has earned two awards, and been honored by seven festivals so far. It’ll be screening at the New York Independent Film Festival and the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City next month.

My goal with this music video was to start telling stories beyond my songs – to write and direct instead of sing and compose – while maintaining the same level of vulnerability. There tends to be this attitude of, “What can we do in a weekend?”, when it comes to music videos, and I feel, with all art, the stakes should be high, and you should risk everything every time. Make the truest thing you can, as vulnerably as you can, and let the chips fall where they may.

To see such a bizarre idea on screen, and see it get the love it has gotten, reminds me of a longstanding ethos I’ve done my best to follow as an artist and human being. Even when the truth is ugly, or difficult, or strange – honesty is where beauty comes from. If your art tells the truth, it’ll be, to someone, a rising sun.

Massive thanks (and congratulations!) to the cast and crew: Serra Naiman (@serra.naiman), Kyle McCarthy (@shamaswholesome), Spencer (@battle_buddies_pod), Mary Kuznetsova (@maryk.ontrary). Luke Cho (@the.aesthetic.collective). Nina Zepeda (@nightcreep.fx). VFX (@lksvisuals). Zachary Sweet (@zacharysweets). Tyler Manzo (@tyler_the_manzo).

Soli Deo Gloria.