Self Advocacy in Action On The Road: Gaelynn Lea

Okay, so I'm here with Gaelynn Lea. It's wonderful to meet you. I did a little research before coming to see you and I was inspired. You are amazing. You know, it's great to know someone who has so much influence. I hope many people don't mind. In fact, I followed you on Facebook and saw. So it's really cool to see that you meet so many fans and have such a big influence in such a positive way. That's really cool. So I just want to start with a really basic question. So why would you choose the violin of all instruments?

Well, I really fell in love with these string instruments during fourth grade, an orchestra came to our school and I just remember saying that I definitely want to play something next year and then they chose the violin because there was... The teacher had enough mind open enough to help me figure out how to play, so we just tried it and everything: the cello, although that was what I wanted to do originally, was too big and I couldn't get the bow. down in the right place And then the violin was too big to put on my shoulder, but we said, well, maybe you can do it a little different where you play the violin up and down Yeah, that's basically why, but then I ended up playing all the violin parts in the orchestra and then I got into violin music and song writing and it transformed with me, yeah.

That's great. Then I must ask. I was curious to see you play. Was it harder to play upright than, you know...? Actually, I don't think so because, if you think about it, the violin is difficult no matter what. Everyone sounds really bad for the first two years they play, and that's what you know, and then it's the only way I've ever done it, so I think I was very lucky to have a teacher who was open. Willing enough to adapt her training to me and if I hadn't had that maybe it would have been more difficult, but she was familiar because she teaches orchestra so she knew a little bit about all the instruments so she kind of took what she knew about the cello or the bass.

I hold my bow like a bassist doesn't really like a cellist. So we just combined all these things. And yes, having the right teacher or the teacher who is willing to be flexible and try something new. That's really what would have made it difficult. But because I had that and I was very lucky for that reason, I don't think it was any harder. That is incredible. It's also cool to meet flexible people like that because I run into people who literally don't know how to handle a variety of situations, whereas, you know, running into people who are flexible like that, they're very...

I don't. I'm not saying weird but They are simply special. Yes they are. And she... I guess what's been great since I won the Tiny Desk contest. I met other teachers and they said, "Oh, you know, I never thought about that, so it's cool because I hope it spreads." to other teachers It doesn't have to be just me And in fact, I've met a couple of people with disabilities similar to mine who already played that way, it's just that they haven't been like... so it's not like, you You know, it's not that strange. It's just that we didn't find out about that, I think, maybe in the hope that you know this interview we can.

So the other thing I wanted to ask you too is what inspired the music that you wrote. Yeah, well, I didn't. I didn't start writing songs until 2011, so it was actually a long time after I started playing and I think the beginning of songwriting came about because I started playing in a band with a person called Alan Sparhawk, and he does a style of really different music. which I call slow chord. It's like it's very slow, like some kind of darker, heavier music, but we started doing our own project and he would loop my violin with a loop pedal, which is a digital recording device that does it live. .

He gave me a loop pedal and said, I really think you should learn to do this and play like what it does, so I press the button with my leg and then I hold it down while I play and then when I release the button it plays it. . come back again and again, you know. Yeah, I think I saw that on your Tiny Desk Yeah, and that's how I acted. You know with him he would do the looping and I would just play harmonies, but then when I got my own looping pedal, a lot of things opened up the idea of ​​creating your own songs, and I think just being exposed to this different way of creative energy is what sparked the original composition and then a lot of times I write about things that I thought about a lot of people that I care about or I don't know, but it always feels kind of random, just the first hint of a song, it always feels pretty spontaneous.

You know, you say, oh, where did that line come from? and then you're trying to flesh it out But I think the loop pedal really changed a lot in my brain in terms of how I thought about music Yeah, and it just opened my mind to what was out there, so I'm I'm pretty sure that that's why I started writing songs and then it kind of just continues to catch on... Yeah, I love that. That's great. Um, I write poetry when I'm not doing anything else and I've always wanted to do that. But do you know that getting there has been a slow process, like writing a book of poetry or making poetry and music?

Oh, that's great. I have a song like that on my second album and it was like it was a vulnerable feeling, you know what I mean? But it's cool, and I'm glad I tried it, and it's like there are so many synths and looping now... you can loop your voice, you can loop any instrument basically, that you can plug into the amp. Awesome, I definitely will... So what drives you to be an inspiration like you are today? You know, I know I see you as an inspiration. What really brought you here? Um, I think I like watching it because I have a funny relationship with the word inspiration.

Maybe not so much on your part, you know? But on the other hand, I think what motivates me right now is the idea that if we bring people with disabilities into mainstream culture, people's ideas will change faster. It's very difficult when you're behind the scenes and people don't even think about you even when we talk about important things like healthcare, right? Healthcare obviously affects people with disabilities, but then we have all these debates and public articles and blah, blah, blah, and everyone is tweeting about it and no one mentions people with disabilities and I think one of the main reasons why we are excluded The discussion is simply because no one sees us.

Well, we're right on the corner. I walk around the corner? And they think, it's like "us versus them" and it's like, no, you could have a disability at any time and probably someone you know will, if you don't, if you're old enough, you definitely have to deal with this. things, and yeah, I guess what motivates me right now is wanting to inspire other people to realize that they have something to do with justice and disability rights. And I love music. And what makes me want to do that is that it's so much fun. Touring is very difficult, but it's also very rewarding, and it's like a creative thing...

I mean, everyone has to work. It's a really fun way to work, of course, but then the disability rights part would be great... and it hasn't happened yet, I feel like we'll reach a tipping point where you'll see your

self

represented. in the media more frequently. Yes, quite strange. When it happens, it's really cool. Have you ever seen the show Speechless? Yes. Yes. I loved it, I was like... I don't know how you... did you like it? I loved. It's good, awesome. I mean, everyone has their own opinions on those things. But I thought it was really cool to see someone with a real disability play someone with a disability.

And it wasn't like a tragedy or something, can't they commit suicide or something? ahh You know when that dialogue gets old Yes! I just want to see that change, so that's what inspires me to go the extra mile, hoping to like Speed ​​up the process and I'm not the only one doing it like you're obviously out there. There are many people working on it. So the more of us collectively come in, the more or less we can move forward. Absolutely. I wish it were easier for people younger than me to do what we're doing. For accessibility and stuff. - Yes, and we are also pioneers in all that.

Yeah, sure, I absolutely agree. I watched your TED talk today about sexuality and disability and I thought it was cool because one of the

advocacy

groups I facilitate is Prideability, which is people with disabilities who are also LGBTQIA, so it's cool. Sort of, you know, they have those points. in common. How do you think people, both disabled and non-disabled, can change ideas of beauty and sexuality? Yeah! It's great that you saw that talk, so I think it's kind of... kind of distilling it down, how we can all change, is just realizing that similar standards are usually set by corporations so that we like them. make them money and then if you think "oh, if I just lost 10 pounds", "oh, if I just bought this cooler car" or "oh, yeah...", I don't know anything like if I just do this then I'll be beautiful and someone will love me and it's all based, I mean, really it's all based on capitalism because there are beautiful people who are idiots and will end up not being happy anyway, and then there are people.

They don't fit the mold of beautiful in our current discussion, but they are beautiful anyway, and I think each one is in their own way. So just the idea that... just remembering the goal of those standards isn't actually to define beauty, it's to make people money, and realizing that is kind of a scam, right? Yes, in a way it is! And when you realize that, then you can be your

self

and encourage other people to be themselves. And, yeah, and I think growing up with a disability that was really visible, it kept me out of... I felt like none of that applied to me.

Yeah, how do you do it so you can get the best clothes to look different, right? Good?! And then you're like, well, not really... I'm so out of the race why focus on that, right, but then you realize, hey, that's like an advantage if I don't do it. I don't have to think about it and I can spend time on other things. I think everyone probably does the right thing. But remember, keep reminding yourself that those standards are artificial... I think that's what ends up being attractive to people beyond anything else. Yeah, something that I also constantly fight for, you know, telling people to be authentic, to be real, to be genuine.

Yes, and that's why people will love me. But people don't see that they say “oh but they have this and they have that”, well that doesn't matter. No, ultimately not so. I mean, I think so, authenticity is probably one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and the world, is just being authentic. And then the rest is just, it works. And in trying to be compassionate, I think they have to go hand in hand, because you can be authentic and still be a complete idiot. Ha ha ha! Yes, you have to love yourself and you also have to love yourself through others.

Yes. What was it like winning the Tiny Desk Award? Um, it was pretty surreal. I remember getting the phone call I was in while I was teaching violin and I just felt like what was going on? and then also the idea that I knew a lot of things were going to change but I didn't really know how. I just knew that it was really altering the path of my life and it really did, so I guess it was strange knowing that a lot of different things were coming up and something like that. Like any big change, but it was really positive.

But it was definitely like there were a lot of unknowns and I couldn't even tell anyone for the first week because they hadn't announced it yet. And then I remember walking through that week thinking Wow, like this is the last week of your life being like this and pretty soon it's going to change and um, you know, some of the changes took longer Yeah, we ended up starting to tour in October. I won in March and I toured it... We sold our house at the end of September and we started touring in October and um, and we're still learning, I mean, there's a lot to learn and it wasn't something you could do.

We are prepared to really. So it's been a steep learning curve, but luckily my husband has been willing to do it with me and it's great, but it's definitely a surreal experience. Awesome. Yeah, I mean, I guess you enjoy it. Oh yes, totally, totally. It's funny because we're in the middle of a 20-show tour, I think we had like 20 shows in 24 days or something, but we're getting close to the level of tiredness, but on the other hand, like everyone. It shows that we have met some really great people like you, you have to keep your perspective of gratitude because we meet a lot of really great people along the way and we are learning all the time.

I think the funny thing is, yes. Nobody actually writes a manual for you. So, trial and error and... but overall, it's been a really positive experience. Yes, I'm definitely gladthat we are doing it. I look back and I think I would really regret it if we did it. I can try what we're doing now, and the path is still kind of opening up. Who knows where it will end? So what is the most rewarding and the most terrifying thing about being an artist and being an inspiration? I think the rewards part is like meeting people who relate to the songs and it's like it helps them or like a little kid comes to your show and then decides they want to play the violin or something.

You know what I mean? meet other people with disabilities if they're really cool just because um. Like I have a song I'm going to play tonight called "I Wait." It's about the disability rights movement and it's on my new album and it's been a lot of fun. Play it for people who like to really see themselves in that song and just like being able to be like a voice that reflects a culture that hasn't been reflected much. It's really fun. And then the serious thing is like you don't really know the future. Suddenly you're a freelancer and things go up and down and you have to trust that if we work hard and take it seriously, eventually everything will work out and without saying anything... it's not just about money.

Obviously, the scary part is how you find that balance between doing what you think you should do without doing it. Even though I'm just starting out, I have a business coach and it's been really great trying to like it, figure it out. That if you're going to do music as a career, it's like your own little thing and getting better at that has been a fun challenge. It's really cool, especially for people like me because I'm also the one I'm going to talk to you about. We'll talk more later, but you know, it's great to hear that having that fear but moving forward is really great.

Yeah, I mean, one thing I learned about a year into teaching is that people with disabilities are twice as likely to be disabled. And I know I had a lot of trouble finding work. It was very accommodating and they paid me over eight dollars an hour and that's why I was already self-employed, but it's a lot more manageable as you can predict: you have so many students, this is how much you will earn. It's nice. Cold. And that's another thing. We don't talk about it much, it's like literally twice the general population are entrepreneurs. So I think that's great.

Yes, and how to invent your own path. What was or was the biggest obstacle to getting to where you are today? Well I think accessibility is still a challenge but it gets a little old, I guess a lot of venues don't have ramps to the stage or even an accessible bathroom so it really limits where you can play. So I'm making my own booking right now and maybe I'll eventually go back to an agency, but I was at an agency. They kept booking me, not all the time, but enough times where I was problematic in places where if someone has a disability they wouldn't be able to get in and that's really frustrating for me.

Yeah! But it's hard, it's not like, you know, you can tell a place if it's accessible and they, at first say yes, and then they say well, you know, they're considering renting a ramp and they decide it's too expensive. and they go back or, like you know, all these things, so I'm just trying to navigate, that's like another layer. So that's probably the biggest obstacle because it kind of limits where you can perform to a certain extent, but I would do it. I'd rather do that than play somewhere someone can't get in. I mean, obviously until you're accessible...

I'm not going to play there. But, um, one thing that would be great for me is to see more musicians be allies on that front, like a lot of them use, where literally I never will But people play there all the time and no one demands changes I can only do so much certain point, so I can say that I don't want to I don't know 25 extra hours a day to launch a campaign to do everything These places are accessible. So I think other artists would be great to see. Yes, yes, and that's all, part of it is that whole how to be, how to start that dialogue.

Alright. Oh, okay, this one came to mind, this question popped out of my head because it seemed like the most interesting one posted on your website and in your TED talk. What is the most interesting place you have been and why? Oh... We've been so many places. It's really difficult to choose. Um, we did 42 states, I think so far maybe 43 off and on, like seven countries. Iceland was really interesting because when we were there it never got really dark, it's June... but it's also really interesting because it's very progressive, but it's very inaccessible, like they forgot to include people with disabilities in their human rights. campaigns and that's something they're finally starting to work on, but it was interesting to be there and realize that everyone has an idea, I mean, in many ways, they really are.

Um, they are They are very friendly in that sense and they have a lot of women's rights, but for some reason they are just missing disability rights, so that was interesting and also, I love playing in the UK. It's fun to explore other places. And then in terms of America, I want to say California is great because it's California. And I had never seen those big cacti. Like I always do in real life, and I think, every time we go to Arizona, I think "ah! That's cool." And then the shows we've played are a lot of fun.

It's hard to narrow it down, but I attended the play at The Decemberists Festival this summer and they're one of my favorite bands and a lot of the band members, not the lead singer, but the guitarist, keyboardist and bassist sat in. Come with me on my set. It was a really fun day and there are a lot of fun options. It's kind of like... it's hard, it's nice. what other time... we would never have seen most of these places but it's still but I wouldn't have seen it If we hadn't had a reason to go there We weren't the people that, we never went, like, we weren't like we flew by everywhere for the fun of it.

That is awesome. What do you think people with disabilities should focus on to improve the community and society? Well, well, I think working for social justice for all groups is really important. So I think one thing we do is focus on our own problems, which is important and we should do it, and we're way behind. Disability rights should definitely be at the forefront, but then remember to be an ally to others like you. If there is a bill being discussed in your area that will really hurt another minority population, just be there and stand up. You know, like equals.

Rights for everyone are important, you know? Minorities are minorities we should all unite Yes exactly so I guess it would be yes it doesn't mean you are neglecting your own cause but remember we are all one person Absolutely and we are stronger. when we help each other we definitely are. I guess that would be my advice. What are your goals for the future, what's next? I would love to write a book one day about our travels, and in the context of especially accessibility and the arts, from that point of view I was going to say that if you weren't going to do it, you should write a book!

We're just not home much right now, so the goal is just to figure it out... I want to keep touring and I love to travel. So I want to do that, but find a balance where we can be home a little bit more. work on things like that. And then touring as a group still, you know, during the year. Yeah, and the new thing, I just released an album on September 7th called "learning how to stay" and that was a great project. It took more than a year to do it. It's a full band, so it's very different to anything else I've recorded and now that it's done, I'm not ready to think about the next album yet.

Because it was like a huge undertaking. But, um, but eventually I want to keep writing the songs. But I think the book would be fun. I love writing like words. That's something I like about music: the lyrics, right? But also poetry and yes, just thinking of a way to leave that written down where other people can understand the rights of people with disabilities from a less medical or technical perspective. Or like "us" helping "them," but rather, this is a human experience and here's why it may matter. Yes, that's what I'd like to write about. Yes. Impressive.

Well, this has been a pleasure. I had a great time interviewing you. You're so amazing. Thanks Alex! I'm so happy to have met you. And thanks for doing this! Thanks for taking the time. Cold. Well, sayonara, see you later guys.