A Decibel Disparate: Inside A Diverse Frequency

A Decibel Disparate: Exposing the community to local artists: musicians, writers, designers, performers, thinkers, who are doing things outside of the “Annapolitan box.” You will find no sailboats or Blue Angels here. This is a place for raw and unique talent. Let us look at our city with a “view askew.” Diversity is life.

By Brianne Leith

Photos by Sarah Culver, Alison Harbaugh and David Adkins

 Kyle Stewart, Editor in Chief of The Annapolis Sound, sits across from me at Baltimore Tea and Coffee and passionately describes what The Sound is. I look at him completely absorbed in what he is saying and his passion starts to become my own. “So, do you want to write for us?” I try to phrase my enthusiasm for everything this man has said to me correctly. “I don’t want this taken badly…but I will follow you into the flames Kyle.” Kyle smiles and laughs at me, his eyes still burning with the love for what he is doing. He wants to change the world. I want to change people’s vision, hearing, and minds. “What do you want to write about?” His words swirled around in my head. His fervor temporarily blinded me. I knew.

“I want to write about local artists…the ones doing something different than the expected.

A Decibel Disparate was spawned.

After interviewing and writing articles on about 23 unique artists, it felt like time to explain exactly why, where, when, how, who, and what I am doing with Decibel.

It began with passion, progresses with passion, and will continue with passion until it ends.

First I find local artists that strike me in one way or another. I go to a show, see their art, feel their clothes, watch them perform basically listen to the sounds that they emit in all varieties. They touch me. They move me. I like them. I want to promote and help them in anyway that I can. But Decibel is more than just the art people produce; it is the art of the artist as a human being. I write on people that I think everyone should know. Artists that when you see them on the streets of Annapolis, you want to be their friends because their personalities are as good and touching as their work. I try to capture the artist as a whole, presenting a vivid portrayal of quality in Decibel.

The way I write has been said to not be in typical article fashion. I had no idea I was not writing like other journalists, but it made sense to me after I thought about it. I want every aspect of my articles to be art. I want the reader to be overwhelmed with an exquisite piece of art, not just a dry and dull fact reproduction. Articles and interviews that I have read over the years have lost a sense of beauty in my eyes as they pick at the bones of an interview, only concentrating on the words, while the details and the descriptions of what is happening in all the senses are lost. I want people to be able to feel like they were part of the interview and enjoy a palpable story that they can imagine in their heads. Imagination is lost in articles. I want a picture to invade your thoughts. I want a movie to play in your mind. Imagination is key.

This intended image invasion is solidified by phenomenal pictures. My photographers have been a blessing to me and Decibel. Each one of them has added their own flair. Their photos are art.  The last thing I want for my articles are stale pictures of artists that you can find in any newspaper. Like I do, they capture distinctiveness in every person and create awesome interpretations of the artists and their personalities.

But Decibel has evolved from the basic notion of passion. It happened so naturally after I interviewed people. My “interviews” mainly consist of one or two leading questions and just letting the artist talk without interruptions or hesitations. We sit and have a conversation. I sit and revel in how passionate they are, how much love they have for their art. The interviews, though setting them up can be an ordeal, is the best part of my job. Typically it is my favorite thing I do all week.

Talking to people about what they are passionate about, is probably one of the most beautiful and inspiring things you can be a part of.

Talking one on one with someone and listening to love, and seeing it ooze out of every pore is amazing. It is not a normal occurrence in everyday life, and that is a shame. After having this in depth experience with an ardent being can leave you breathless. The world looks more beautiful. Your heart feels massive but light. You fall in love with the person. You fall in love with their passion. You fall in love with their art. You love. I try to bring that feeling in its entirety into every article.

 This is why I write A Decibel Disparate.

 Passion is powerful.

My artists are exquisitely beautiful.