richkern
Writer | Musician | Producer
bio
Rich Kern is a Chicago area writer and music producer, working in mediums of plays, songs, poetry, 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 music on guitar, bass, vocals, and drumkits for theatre, rock bands, ensembles, and as a solo artist.
news
Latest
Two works placed for sale in Pilsen Arts & Community House "PACH Gallery" (1637 W. 18th St, Chicago).
- Contours: CD booklet format of art and lyrics for Silhouette of Man album
- Learn This Card Game-Ace Race: instructions for game that uses poker cards
Contributing writer for newly launched Substack - Yuck it up.
The Whiskey Radio Hour Episode 31 now available for streaming! (Kern's dark comedy about time travel and procrastination 'About Freaking Time' starts at 4:47 of Episode 31, Part One) Episode 31 on Bandcamp
Two works selected for Prism Spaces "Lines and Language" gallery wall exhibit (On display / available for purchase January 14th to April 27th at 1212 N. Ashland Ave).
- Tangled Up In Red: booklet format of the two-act play
- The Blind Man in the Woods: short story on poster
Kern attended a 12 week Anti-Play Workshop, which pushes writers into new thinking about what it means to be a writer or audience member. New sample snippets created from exercises.
Rich Kern and g. e. moore appear on podcast The Music Lab Inc, Episode #152 to discuss "I Used to Be a Superhero".
Grandfather Paraducks on Itch.io reaches 100th download. Enjoy your videogame sound assets!
Asante Africa Foundation International Men's Day Article published.
The Miserere Review Anthology available for purchase (Contains second print of "Cracking").
music
Cracking
(From "Silhouette of Man" album)
Written, Performed, and Produced by Rich Kern at Grandfather Paraducks.
'Cracking' describes the life of Minik Wallace. At a very young age, he was taken from Greenland and brought to the U.S. His father died shortly thereafter and he was adopted by a museum worker. He then struggled to find his true home, traveling back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean several times in the early 1900s. His life illustrates the harm done in the name of science to indegenous people groups. This work was published as a two page spread in The Miserere Review, and then later published in an anthology edition as well.
As part of a collection featuring alternative rock, elements of rap, electronica, and folk, Silhouette of Man confronts the cultural, social, and economic collisions brought on by the international quest to claim the North. Unique sound innovation on this song include an effects chains for the buzzing synth, a reversed clip of acoustic guitar, and the distorted pitch-bend string instrument, which provides the screeches during some verses.
The Vanishing Man
(From "I Used to be a Superhero" album)
Lyrics and vocals by g. e. moore. Music composed and produced by Rich Kern at Grandfather Paraducks.
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' in order to leverage a haunting presence that already exists in our subconscious zeitgeist, similar to an urban legend. Then I added a desperate piano melody to emulate the anticipating mother. That melody yearns to be in major key but never quite achieves it. Then, reflection and delay effects on the drums represent disorientation. And finally, I arranged a late entrance of strings and upright bass, so that the eerie despondence takes hold in a defined moment.
Orchestral Movement 1
(From Private Synch and Score Catalogue)
Composed and produced by Rich Kern with Spitfire Audio and the BBC Symphony Orchestra
Dramatic theme and variation which builds to an intense conclusion. Full band/orchestra with strings, horns, flute, and harp taking turns as lead instruments.
Dog
(From "Live at Espresso Cup" album)
Written by Rich Kern. Guitar and vocals performed live by Rich Kern. Recorded by Erik Grant and Produced by Panacea.
Part of a full album recording of a live show. Heartfelt, quirky, abstract, fierce, whimsical. This set is punctuated by friendly banter with the audience. This album is unedited to captures the feeling of being there live.
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.
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!
Asante Africa Foundation
(Blogs) Asante Africa Foundation helps young learners in East Africa build livelihood by empowering local communities with educational resources.