BE COOL (2018)
Cool.
From those first awkward, fumbling moments of middle school, the importance of this word is instantly, fundamentally clear. As are the contradictory connotations.
- Adopt that which is fashionable, but be unique;
- Voice your opinions, but do not dissent with those in power;
- Follow your heart, but ensure that your path is safe, reasonable, and successful.
No wonder so many of us leave the educational system with a split psyche - one half desperate to be who we truly are, and the other paralyzed by the conformist conditioning which is part and parcel of the experience.
Eventually, many of us simply relinquish our concerns, and to paraphrase Mr. Gable, simply stop giving a damn.
This is genuine cool.
Being yourself, regardless of the opinions of others. For as long as you aren’t harming anyone, who cares? We’re only given one life - might as well enjoy it in the manner you see fit.
“‘Be Cool’ is one of my motivators,” Riley says. “Written for my 7th grade self, who desperately needed to hear it.” (laughs)
And this vindicating message of encouragement was not only a message to Riley’s past, but a goodbye kiss to the first chapter of his career. So Riley decided to do it in style.
“The notion for the video was to really showcase the Clark Kent side of myself. The one that doesn’t command attention, doesn’t get asked on dates. The guy who watches Star Trek and reads Green Lantern. Dr. Jekyll, as it were.”
The music video was a community production, bringing together talent from across Riley’s home base of Ithaca, New York. The Ithaca Physics Bus - a converted school bus - travels across the country, filled with science exhibits, and visits schools to foster an interest in the sciences amongst elementary school children. Painted Mercury capsule silver, with giant mock rocket engines attached to the rear, the owners of The Ithaca Physics Bus graciously joined the Be Cool music video shoot - and allowed Riley to drive the 30-foot long, 13-ton vehicle.
“I was mortified,” Riley says with mock horror. “But I drove the thing up and down the highway with nary an incident. They even offered to take me on part-time as a driver!” (laughs)
And in keeping with tradition, the Be Cool music video featured local talent - five gifted actresses who portrayed the characters Riley had created thus far in his career. Brighthead’s Genesis, Kismet’s King Bandele, and Tabula Rasa’s Red Ghost were revived, as well as Synth King Cole from Love Is In My Heart and The Green Admiral from Failure of Imagination. Riley brought the original costumes out from storage for the shoot, as well as their corresponding guitars - all in all, 10 years’ worth of history, summed up in four minutes and sixteen seconds.
Just as the first chapter in Riley’s musical career was coming to a close, so was the time spent with two cherished colleagues, bassist Rick Kline and drummer Sesu Coleman. Be Cool and Precious Angel would be the final recordings made with these two gentlemen.
Additionally, Be Cool would be the very first recording Riley would make at New Vine Records, the record label & studio to which he would sign just a few months later, in February of 2019. The CD edition of the Be Cool single would continue Riley’s tradition of placing exclusive B-sides on physical media; the poignant Precious Angel, composed for Riley’s dearly beloved partner of four years.
Composition, arrangement, lead/backing vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, lap harp: Kurt Riley
Bass guitar: Rick Kline
Piano/synthesizer: Charlie Jones
Drums/djembe/bongos: Sesu Coleman
Backing vocals: Leo
Mixing/engineering/mastering: New Vine Records
Videography: JKnaperek Productions
Performance: Rose Fleurant, Christy French, Leo, Michelle Plunkett, & Damaris Vasquez
Video Editing: Kurt Riley
Graphic Design/Cover Artwork: Kurt Riley