Fifty Days Underground

June 18, 2014

Who inspired today's broken heart song?

A high school student who had his heart broken by a girl named Irene. They were friends at first, and he helped her get rid of some bullies that were bothering her. After a history of dating boys who mistreated her, she told him that he was the only genuine and good person in her life. They fell in love and started dating. After some months, Irene left him to date her ex-boyfriend. Knowing that the ex-boyfriend treats her poorly, the boy is devastated and will do anything to get her back.   

Alex (goes by AJ) approached me with his friend when I was performing at Grand Central Terminal one morning to tell me his story. He was wearing a red beanie and a Black Veil Brides t-shirt. I admire the bravery it took for him to confess his love for Irene to me. What happens to that beautiful fearlessness we have when we're young?

Be Mine (Oh Irene) is a simple song about a boy who wants his girl back. I had so much fun writing and singing this song. I wanted it to be innocent and upbeat, and to represent young love. He doesn't care what other people say, he just wants to be alive with her and hold on to that feeling forever.

Where did you play?

The F/M stop at 14th St. and 6th Ave.

How much did you earn?

$6.11

Did anything unusual happen? 

I wasn't sure where to play today, so I jumped on the train and got off at a random stop. I'm not sure I made the right decision, haha. I love the acoustics at this station, and I also love that there's enough time between trains where I can actually hear myself singing. However, I felt strangely invisible today. I'm certainly not looking for attention, but I thought it was odd that no one inquired about the project. Usually I get a few curious looks and inquiries. I even double-checked to make sure the sign was still there, haha. Oh well, maybe people weren't feeling chatty in this hot weather.

I started singing 'Burn In Hell' and a man next to me started bopping his head up and down to the song. He smiled and donated before he got on the train. People like that always give me such an adrenaline rush to sing my heart out. I wonder if they realize how much positivity it brings to my day. :)

Did you meet anyone interesting?

I did! As I was setting up, a woman named Julia approached me. She said she's been following the project through a friend that told her about it. This totally made my day. Her friend is a sweetheart and I felt so blessed that she has been sharing Fifty Days Underground with her friends. Thank you, wonderful friend! I am forever grateful. :)

I met a friendly woman who asked about my keyboard. She was shocked that battery-powered keyboards existed, and said that she needed to get one immediately. After our chat, I sang today's song and she told me that I had a beautiful voice right before she got on the train.

What's the best advice you received from a stranger?

No advice so fun facts:

It's more exhausting singing in the summer than singing in the winter.

I have passed out almost 400 business cards since the start of the project.

The very talented Natalia Paruz, also known as the Saw Lady, is going to perform in the Fifty Days Underground show. 

How are you feeling?

I can't complain. I still feel ready to be done with the project, but I'm trying to make the most of these last few days. It's annoying carrying my heavy keyboard in this heat, and I'm usually quite sweaty just after my five minute walk from my apartment to the subway station. The show is my main focus these days. It's so much work, but I'm getting really excited and I know it will be worth it in the end. So many incredibly talented artists are participating! I've realized there's nothing more rewarding for me than to hear someone else sing my songs and make them even more amazing than I could have ever imagined.

I'm still having those 'what next' thoughts, which I'm sure is pretty normal for most human beings. I suppose I shouldn't be worrying about that until after the show, but alas, they are there. It's kind of fun to daydream about where my life is going to take me. Although I like to believe I have some control over that, I think God ultimately holds the reins. Anything could happen. And I'm not really afraid anymore. This project has taught me that. Whatever is going to happen will happen, and I'll just have to take it as it comes. So although I'm scared, I am still curious. The unknown is stressful. Thrilling, but stressful.

Thanks to you wonderful people, we are more than a third of the way to our goal for the Fifty Days Underground show. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and cannot thank you enough. If you haven't already checked out the campaign, you can do so here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/965462147/fifty-days-underground-the-show

4 more to go! :D

© 2014 Kelly Bazely