Kirk Kenney has gone on a serendipitous journey, playing his brand of blues music in China through Mountain High. (Photo : YouTube Screenshot)
Anyone who is into American bluegrass music would most likely attribute it to the U.S. But for Kirk Kenney, his blues journey with Mountain High took him on an adventure to a place where a sizable following looks unlikely: China.
A native of Vermont and educated at Green Mountain Institute in Portugal, Kenney derives from his rich sources of sensory experiences to become the musician that he is right now. His knowledge in integrative therapy, combined by his love for music, gave his musical artistry a worldly flavor.
As with the apparent disjoint between blues and the Middle Kingdom, Kenney's foray into China was borne more out of serendipity than intent. The Global Times reported that he took cues from the film "Genghis Blues," which featured a blues artist who took a liking for Tuvan throat singing.
That fateful discovery grew from Kenney's ardent desire to learn more about music, which he started by first playing the guitar when he was 16 years old. Being the music enthusiast he is, he followed the likes of Sublime and The Who before Chinese folk music piqued his interest.
Kenney then started to listen to Chinese bands, with his liking for Wild Children inspired him to go on a journey to China's countryside. The band's members went to study Chinese folk music and lived with the peasants--one that inspired him to form Mountain High--then Hutong Yellow Weasels.
GoKunming's interview with Mountain High underlined the band's role in popularizing blues in what many would consider as an unlikely side of the world. Square dancing is part of their ensemble; their audience would come and join in the fun as they play their signature beat.
But amid the fun and games in playing blues, Kenney himself labored to fully embrace his character as a musician. Being a kindergarten teacher by day, his fear of moving forward with his passion project was due to matters of practicality--making money, specifically.
Nonetheless, Kenney's decision to pursue music full-time was a gamble that paid off. Mountain High now gets invites to play in universities, companies, festivals, and in concerts--areas beyond the usual gigs at the bar.
