richkern
Writer | Musician | Producer
A fisherman
drops a net
into the ethos.
Waits. Pulls.
Untangles the sentiments
from the ropes.
Cleans. Flays. Slices.
Adds fire. Seasons.
Arranges the results
on a plate
for consumption.
Rich Kern is a Chicago area writer and music producer, using mediums of song, poetry, short story, plays, instrumentals, and sound effects. Kern's written works have appeared in magazines and online publications, as poetry contest winners, and performed at theatres and in art galleries. Kern has composed and performed live music on guitar, bass, vocals, and drumkits in theatre, rock bands, ensembles, and as a solo artist.
writing
No Strings
(Story) A carnival worker tries to expose the secrets of his rival, who is a magician.
Spooky and family friendly. Read it to your students!
Presented live on opening night of Art Studio 928's Haunted Gallery in Oak Park.
The Crow as it Flies
(Poem) A man trains a crow near his late father's cabin. The bird fetches a lost family heirloom. This conjures a guilty memory.
Inspired by Rick Sullivan's abstract art. Performed for sold out Art Speaks event at Uncommon Ground in Chicago (hosted by Vibrant Cast).
Techno Mouse
(Branching Story Game) You are the mouse. You must get the cheese. The cats want to catch you. Play it for free!
Scripts Collection
(Play Excerpts) Truth on a Bridge, The Last Violet, and Tangled Up In Red
Asante Africa Foundation
(Blogs) Asante Africa Foundation helps young learners in East Africa build livelihood by empowering local communities with educational resources.
music
Cracking
(From "Silhouette of Man" album)
Alternative rock, with elements of rap, electronica, and folk.
The album confronts the cultural, social, and economic collisions brought on by the international quest to claim the North. Lyrics draw from historical events and folk tales.
The song 'Cracking' is about the life of Minik Wallace. It was given a two page spread in The Miserere Review.
For sound innovation on this work, I designed effects chains for the buzzing synth and meshed it with a reversed clip of acoustic guitar. Also the distorted pitch-bend string instrument, which provides the screeches during the second and third verse, is a unique creation. In the choruses, the high pitched doubling of the vocal melody with bells represents the hope for emotional survival, even when all else feels lost. If you listen close, you will hear many layers of instrumentation cohering together throughout.
Written, Performed, and Produced by Rich Kern at Grandfather Paraducks.
The Vanishing Man
(From "I Used to be a Superhero" album)
From the spoken word album which showcases the brilliant poetry of author g. e. moore. The collection grapples with thoughts of enduring meaning in a world that fails to recognize the value of the individual.
In The Vanishing Man, the narrator is warned of serial killer in Chicago and reflects on his own perceived worth.
Composing this piece, I started with the chord progression of jazz standard 'St James Infirmary'. The similar subject harks the listener into a subconcious understanding of the material.
Then I added a desparate piano melody to emulate a mourning mother. The melody yearns to be in major key.
Reflection and delay effects on the drums represent disorientation.
Finally, I allowed a late entrance of strings and upright bass, so that the eerie despondence takes hold in a defined moment.
Lyrics and vocal performance by g. e. moore. Music composed and produced by Rich Kern at Grandfather Paraducks.
Orchestral Movement 1
(From Private Synch and Score Catalogue)
Theme and variation which develops into an intense conclusion. Featured instrument is harp, which is highlighted by Terraced dynamics. Composed and produced by Rich Kern. Made with Spitfire Audio / BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dog
(From "Live at Espresso Cup" album)
Recorded at a live show. Heartfelt, quirky, abstract, fierce, whimsical. The set is punctuated by friendly banter with the audience. This album is unedited to captures the feeling of being there live.
Written by Rich Kern. Guitar and vocals performed live by Rich Kern. Recorded by Erik Grant and Produced by Panacea.
We Can Miss The Movie
(From "Copy and Give to Friend" album)
From a small early demo collection. Easy going solo acoustic songs about life, love, and being broke. Written and performed by Rich Kern. Produced by Autonome. Album cover by Spacie Gracie
Love Serum Theorem
(From Private Synch and Score Catalogue)
Melodic, funky, scenic, spacy. The instrumental soundtrack for space captain Aarthur Aarmageddon and his eclectic crew of Gamma Zoans. Composed and Produced by Rich Kern.
Fracture
Score/Audio composed and produced by Rich Kern to match video. Video was made by Heavyocity.
Sad Groove
Background music for a videogame. Audio available for credited use on itch.io. Video made with ZGameEditor.