What’s The Big Idea?
from Kirstin
A look back on the inspiration of our first album and reflecting on the road that lead us to 2026.
While Facebook and social media in general has become the bane of my existence (or perhaps a “necessary evil” as time has gone on), there certainly are lighter (and sometimes profound) moments that are born from it. I have to say, as I get older and my memory gets a tad rustier, finding “Facebook Memories” that pop-up out of the blue has been entertaining and often something that makes me smile. Usually it’s a picture of my kids, sometimes memories of my parents, sometimes family pets…but this week the memory that popped up really struck me.
This week in June 2022, Frances and I finally officially announced that we were in the midst of recording an album. I recall being INCREDIBLY nervous to share this with everyone - when we’re doing something new and stepping out of our comfort zone, I suppose we all feel this way! But, this project was something I knew I had to see through to the end, there was no doubting that - and sharing it with others is/was just simply another one of those “necessary evils”.
This, of course, would eventually become Midwinter’s Gift, but as you will see below, we had fun making a mock-up album cover so we could make ourselves “Facebook Official” 🤪
It’s hard to believe that when we made this announcement we didn’t have a title for the album, we didn’t have ANY Double Keyed social media outlets or even a website! At least we had a group name 😅 and a vision….big LOL to Frances and I and our “visions” 🤯
How is it these visions always feel like getting onto a roller coaster with sweaty palms and even though you know everything will be ok, it doesn’t take away that anticipation, the butterflies in the stomach, that feeling of “oh boy….here we go!” 😵💫
It was December of 2021, while I was baking cookies, when I had this big idea of recording an album - well, here - I think I explained it pretty succinctly in 2022…
How about that admission that I don’t know what I’m doing? Well, in some ways I still don’t! But what I have learned in the past 4-5 years from working with Frances, Phillip (our producer/arranger) and Kent (our sound engineer/producer) has expanded my knowledge of the recording process and industry tenfold…and there’s still so much more to learn.
So, here we are in 2026, four years later in the midst of this massive undertaking of recording our sophomore album with the London Symphony Orchestra. Trust me, I will be the first one to tell you that life certainly has a way of unfolding in unexpected ways.…but this journey through our 2nd album is still unfolding - much like it was at this time in 2022. Those same feelings are there, but now with added depth and appreciation for the process and for the amazing people around me.
It’s been a roller coaster, yes - more ups and downs than I care for - but this time instead of having a death grip on the bar in front of me, I plan to (slowly) release my hands, trust that no matter what - I am safe - I will raise my hands above my head and enjoy the ride.
Here we go.
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