As Above, So Below (Vinyl Available)
The first time I ever took LSD the friend I was with looked at the little tattoo I had on my middle finger and asked “does that mean As Above, So Below?”. I replied that it didn’t, it was just a representation of a ring my sister purchased me that I lost along the way, and proceeded to google what the expression he had uttered meant. This was my psychedelic initiation into “what the heck is dualism” and as any recovering Christian wandering rover would do in their 20s I spent the next decade trying to figure out how to destroy it. Dualism that is, but in the process…often myself.
This album was perhaps the pinnacle (height and low) of that quest. I made it in New York City and spent a small fortune to do so. I had signed with a small label (though that turned out to be a wet fart) and really thought with my burgeoning sensibilities and proper marketing I was on the cusp of greatness. Blessedly, this all collapsed and lead me to crawl back home to Jax Bch, Florida where after a few years of lounging around and learning to surf I accidentally became a Pastor (and death doula, and sound therapist, and yeah every other healing from healing meme is sort of making fun of me). What has slowly shifted is that instead of looking to these songs (gifts from on high, and far below) to bring me success, I am trying to relearn how to be faithful to them. How to clearly, calmly, and confidently share them knowing they have a humble power to heal. So, here we are now! The friends who printed this album on vinyl called me to say they still had 150 copies buried in their warehouse. Perfect timing, I just got married, am moving this month, and really need something to sell. To generate dollars. I’ve been trying to wash my hands of all profit for a few years. That’s a different tangent entirely, and wether or not there’s any truth in the oath of poverty….I can’t swear by it.
I don’t have a store, or a website or anything like that anymore. So I’m just asking if you want one of these beautiful albums to Venmo me (@Corey-Kilgannon) with your address in the notes. You can pay whatever you want. I reckon a record probably costs $75 at a concert these days. I wouldn’t know. I don’t go to shows. They are far too loud and over-stimulating. You know what I’ve been missing? Before I got lost in the city ways and tried to find bigger and brighter stages, I drove around this country several times singing in folk’s living rooms. Those were the good old days and I thought I needed to grow out of them. I was dead wrong. I’d be delighted to hang in someone’s house and sing them my songs again. I will pray for that to happen again.
Our experience of light and shadow is such a strange and marvelous mystery. I can’t explain it to you, but I am stoked to live my life in service of the way in which we find ourselves more ease-fully surfing through the waves of polarity. Christ said, “my yoke is easy, my burden is light.” Groovy. It’s all good, even the bad. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, eating that fruit got us kicked out of the (metaphysical) garden man. We don’t have to judge. We can just know it’s all necessary and it’s all possible. Even Trump, somehow, it all belongs. Anywho, I’m in danger of preaching now!
Try not to think about the truly staggering amount: of oil that it takes to make a record
The shipping the varnish the cellophane lining the high-gloss….the tape and the gear!
Buy (for whatever you want) my album. Fan this flame. Be my friend. Bless you!
Sincerely,
Pastor Corey :)
