How did the tradition get started?<\/strong><\/p>\nGK: I think kind of by accident. The first year I did it, it was a solo show close to my birthday. I really liked it. I like traditions.<\/p>\n
After eight years, almost a decade, has the show changed?<\/strong><\/p>\nA couple of years ago, I think year No. 6, I noticed how it took on a life of its own because of the energy of the audience. Otherwise it doesn’t change much. I change material, rotate in new songs and covers. I’ve really been heavy into a writing phase. My challenge right now is to pull myself out of the writing phase.<\/p>\n
So what’s going to be new this year?<\/strong><\/p>\nI have some ideas, but I’m not sure if I’m going to do them. I’m not sure I want to say what they are.<\/p>\n
Growing up did you miss out of birthday presents having a birthday close to the holidays?<\/strong><\/p>\nGK: I don’t think so. I think it’s far enough away.<\/p>\n
With a birthday near the new year, it seems like a good time to reflect, how was your 2018?<\/strong><\/p>\nI got my commercial driver’s license this year. I did that so I could drive a bus in the summer. 2018 was definitely a year I started holding myself to a higher standard as a singer and performer.<\/p>\n
I understand what that means, but what does it mean more specifically to you?<\/strong><\/p>\nFirst and foremost, I consider myself a singer-songwriter. It’s just so fun to make and write music. The intrinsic value of that is enough to do it alone, but part of that intrinsic value becomes polishing it.<\/p>\n
What’s 2019 have in store?<\/strong><\/p>\nI’m not planning. Right now, my main focus is on writing and practicing singing and playing. In 2019, my main priority is writing.<\/p>\n
Does it feel like you’re giving up anything by annually playing on your birthday? Are you a big birthday is me-day person?<\/strong><\/p>\nMaybe when I was a kid.<\/p>\n
In a way, it feels selfish to me because I ask everyone to come hear my songs. It’s a party in a way. A lot of familiar faces come every year, and I like them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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