b'Coastal LifevisualappealoftheCoastalneed a critical mass of people who want to hear what Im(continued from page 33) Life package. communicating.Shes a visual artist with herA strong social media presence is a critical marketing Itvaries.Sometimesasongownbusiness,@Kirsten.k.arts.element, he recognizes, but that alone wont guarantee feels like rock, other times it canAs a rule, she specializes in pet,greater success.developinthatdirectionasweplant,andmusicportraits,butYou still need someone in your corner.I can send my as band mates kick around a rawshe also designed the album art- music to radio stations, but they want new material to idea.Other songs are more per- work and incorporates many ofcome from places with an existing reputation.sonal, or maybe they dont fit theits themes.The release of Coastal Life shows Mikes imagination rock mold. Financialgainisnottheand songwriting ability can work together to fill a large A number of those more per- driving force in Mikes musicalcanvas.Like any artist, it represents yet another step in a sonalcompositionsfoundtheircareer. lifetime of continued development, but still, a significant way onto Coastal Life, Mikes spring 2021 CD release.Itssharingthemusicwhichmotivatesme,hemilestone along that journey.Neither his imagination When it comes to describing the albums content, Mikesummarizes. nor his passion show signs of stalling or fading, as he points out the emotion he hopes his audience will feel. And that creative drive continues daily. continues to create material which he feels will reach his Myself, I get butterflies from A Lot of You, he says.I have music running through my head 24-7.Songaudience on musical as well as an emotional level.Songs, But you never know how listeners will receive a particu- ideasarelikelightninginabottle:theycomeandgohe hopes, which will resonate.lar song. quickly.When I get an idea, Ill record it on my phone, orBy Scott Mercer, Focus on ScugogA positive spin on perseverance and commentary on thewrite a lyric on a pad.human condition bind the songs of Coastal Life together.He laughs.Kirsten says I have a song for everything. OnepersonwrotetomehowsheconnectedwithOften, just a fragmenta feeling, a lyric, and a chord pro-Your Memory, and that kind of feedback certainly madegressioncomes to me.And not all of them work outme feel good. The song talks about the importance of rec- sometimes that lightning doesnt strike again and I have onciling the demons that haunt us. to put that idea aside.Another, Wind in Weathered Sail, highlights an im- Mike remains realistic about his future in the music portant aspect of Mikes current home life. business.Thatonesametaphorformylifewithmywife,Right now, musics my Plan B, because in todays Kirsten.Shes been a gift to me. digital world, the odds are stacked against an artist going Kirsten, he explains proudly, played a key role in thefrom obscurity to stardom.For it to become Plan A, Id PORT PERRY P H A R M A C YYour Local Drug Store209 Queen Street, Port Perry | 905-985-2231 / fax 905-985-0165Save $2 on ODB co-payment 10% Senior / Student Discounts Free medication consultationEVERYDAYFree deliveryNo fee compliance packages Mon-Fri: 8-5Sat: 10-3Fast and easy prescription transferClosed SundaysBook your appointment today to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We work for you for better health care.34 FOCUS - JULY 2021'