Calvin Arsenia has built a reputation for turning the arts world on its head. While the harp has allowed this Kansas City native to become a man of the world (gaining followings in Paris, Edinburgh, and at the Outlyre festival in Austria), it’s his unique ability to craft a stimulating setting at his live shows that has all eyes fixed on this conspicuous musician and his breathtaking approach to harp music.
His angelic, classically-trained voice soars over audiences, enchanting even the fussiest of fans, beckoning them to join him as he flirts between genres. He dances between indie, jazz, and electronic music while calling upon rare harmonies and arrangements from his team of performers. But the music is just one part of his prodigious performances, for Calvin believes the art is in crafting the perfect moment. His music is best served live, with sensational performances and high fashion from the visually striking performer who stands at well over six feet tall.
In this interview spotlight I chat with Calvin Arsenia about his latest project, challenges, motivations and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
My name is Calvin Arsenia. I come from a suburb of Kansas City, MO. The music I make is a warm stew of sonic blisses with essences of soul, jazz, classical, and traditional American folk music.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I have been a part of many different kinds of musical experiences – both as an audience member and as a participant on the stage. When a musical experience is done well, everyone involved is permanently changed for the better. Think about concerts you’ve been to that were defining moments; you could see it as a rite of passage – there’s a before and an after. And these moments of transcendence usually happen in no more than 2 or 3 hours of someone’s life. I have witnessed generations of animosity dissolve, people receive miraculous healings, language and cultural barriers nullified, all in a matter of moments when music and intention were purposefully and meticulously stuffed into a room. I have decided to hand myself over to creating safe places with music at the center, to energize, inspire, and fascinate people like me, who could use a little boost to help get through life.
How is “Toxic” different than previous releases? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
Toxic is a song I’ve loved for so long and I wanted to take it to a kind of ridiculous place of heightened emotion. This is really fun for me sitting behind a Celtic harp. The irony of mixing this docile and tame instrument with uncontrollable sexual obsession is exciting to me.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
Ha! Hm. It definitely helps connect with people quickly.
It also has very much impacted the perceived value of recordings and the performers involved. Consumers of music feel it is their right to have the music they want to listen to and to have it instantly and nearly free. Then it’s the artists privilege to get paid, maybe, if the consumer, already having enjoyed the music, sees fit to support the artist through a direct sell, which is still $.90-$10 an interaction. I am a part of this problem. I am the same! I can’t tell you how many songs I know forwards and backwards that I never purchased myself. But I think this is the culture we live in now.
Because of this, I have strived tirelessly to always design my sets to be one of a kind, tailored to the space and the audience I am presenting to. And in doing so to increase the value of the live performance. I imagine if there is an audience member who just so happened to attend every performance, that they would enjoy the unique nuances of each performance.
Have you ever been around someone who tells the same story over and over again? It gets tiresome after a while so you have to mix up the dynamics, or the comedic timing… small changes that make it fresh. I’m retelling these stories over and over again and I always try to retell them as if I was retelling the story to a close friend.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
Of course. I’m pretty active on instagram.
Anything else before we sign off?
“Be good. Be bad. Be terrible…” (a quote from Caro Bridges) But at least be yourself.
