One-On-One: Sarah Morris and Kimberly Brady

Kimberly Brady understands the science behind the importance of music. As a psychologist she encourages people to use music in their healing. She teaches that just therapy and executive functioning only fosters the left side of your brain. Music and the arts engage the right side and incorporate interactive functions. When you have two sides of the brain talking together, it promotes healing. Being mindfulness and including music in that duty can be essential to health.

“Before it was just hanging out with your friends and probably drinking too much. When you get older you appreciate more of being together with other people over the drinking,” Kimberly shares.

Kimberly’s deeper love of live music started more as an adult. Her younger years involved seeing concerts like Poison and Backstreet Boys as more of a social activity. The Replacements at the old Saints stadium continues to grow in importance looking back. It opened her ears to the local scene. Listening to The Current has sparked that deeper appreciation of our musicians as well. She’s fallen in love with Polica while attending Rock the Garden. Live music builds that connection and ability to engage both sides of the brain.

In the Absence of Live Music

Although Kimberly has watched some live streams and has a solid Spotify playlist, the biggest loss of 2020 was the summer shows being cancelled. Kimberly attended everything at Surly Brewing Field, especially following Gary Clark Jr every time he performed. Living close to Como, her husband and her enjoyed their Wednesday night shows. Breweries always had local music and a variety of options they would explore as well. Finding live music outdoors was always a habit for them.

“It was like summer didn’t exist for us because we didn’t see any live music.”

Sarah Morris One-on-One

In Kimberly’s pursuit of discovering local music, she’s grown more attached to women artists. Dessa and Polica remain huge favorites of hers. Hearing Sarah Morris on The Current, the opening line of “How I Want To Love You” instantly linked them together.

“Wide open – The Minnesota summer sky
On and on – The rows of corn in late July
That’s how I want to love you”

Kimberly is drawn to Sarah’s voice and style of storytelling. The lyrics always hit home for her. When seeing the list of potential artists to see, it was an easy choice as she’s never seen Sarah Morris live.

As the disco ball slowly spun overhead and the stillness of The Mission Room settled in, Sarah Morris’ voice melted throughout. The acoustic guitar instantly transported us back to what it was like watching live music. Playing her title track off of the 2020 release All Mine, she started with a story about how she visited this little forest everyday to take a picture of it. Wandering through those woods she became familiar with the trees and finding her own stories.

“I’ve been stumbling around a little blind
I miss the forest every time
But I can tell you the secrets of a single pine
I get lost but I don’t mind
As long as the story I find is all mine”

Her performance of “How I Want To Love You” pulled the room in closer. Written based on a word prompt of ‘soil’ while driving back to Minnesota from South Dakota, the feelings Kimberly shared when hearing this song vibrated through the room. Sarah’s rootsy voice is the Minnesota version of Norah Jones, but wrapped up with Americana. Her delivery and taps on the guitar echoed in the space, reminding everyone of homes and knocking down walls.

Ending the evening was a song she wrote back in 2005 while in Nashville called “Grateful Moon.” Her friend has just gotten out of rehab and the opening line sets the stage for a perfect song about being grateful for what you have. It’s a perfect reminder that even in troubled and tough times like 2020, we can look at the things we have and find gratefulness.

The exclusive video below spotlights a new song titled “I Need You” that was also written by a specific word prompt she received of interdependence. Jillian Rae played violin on the track, which will be released as part of a 4 song EP Between Here and There on March 21st. Keep your ears open for a wondrous stack of strings and the sentimental pull of Sarah’s voice.

Exclusive Video – “I Need You”

The Meaning of Live Music

Kimberly tells me about an experience attending Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. David Huckfelt ran the benefit concert that took place on a farm. Gathering around with a hundred people in the middle of nowhere, listening to an incredible rooster of musicians, you’re immediately interconnected. That feeling of experiencing something unique together, even though you don’t know anyone else. Pockets of people dancing next to strangers, others glued to the music, all while storytellers take the stage is an experience that embodies the value of live music.

Thinking back to her last concert at The Fillmore Minneapolis with Brandi Carlile is surreal. The venue was brand new and filled with people, all close and pressed together. That feeling of being surrounded by music and people can do wonders for both sides of the brain. Music promotes healing and we’re in need of plenty of that this year.