My Music. My Story. is one of Classical Music Indy’s initiatives to feature music, musicians, and music lovers in a fun way. Here we talk to Kevin Whited, the Executive Director of IndyCog, a local Indianapolis bicycle advocacy group.
Kevin Whited: My Music. My Story.
Tell us about the work you do and how you involve music.
IndyCog is a bicycle advocacy group – we work to make Indianapolis more bicycle friendly for recreational and transportation purposes. IndyCog promotes an active bicycle culture through its programs that focus on advocacy, collaboration, education, and culture. While listening to music while biking isn’t encouraged for safety reasons, I try to incorporate music into our work in other ways. [Last year I] organized a bike ride starting at the Upland Brewing Company Tasting Room to attend the Interpol concert at the Egyptian Room. I also envision using music to eventually create a bicycle safety PSA since audiences remember messages more readily when they are attached to music.
How else do you enjoy music?
I really love music and always have music in my ears, except when I’m on my bike. I fall asleep and wake to music and something is always playing in the background at home when we’re not watching TV or a movie. I mainly listen to alternative, jazz, some folk, and classical. My favorite classical composer is Rachmaninoff. I also attend a lot of live shows.
Tell us about your most memorable musical experience.
Years ago when I lived in Chicago, I saw Love Spit Love (a band comprised of the remaining member of The Psychedelic Furs) at Metro. After the show, I ended up hanging out with lead singer Richard Butler and guitarist Richard Fortus. We shared beers and conversation for hours.
