Conversations With a Lord pt. 2: Where Did Time Go?
This is a multi-part blog post about growing up in the Nairobi underground heavy metal music scene, my experiences and the people I met along the way.
It feels like just yesterday when we were plugging in our amps to squeeze in a last-minute practice session before our first—and last—gig of the year. But now that the sound of crashing cymbals and distorted guitars through low-end amps has faded, a stark realization sets in: where did the time go?
A lot has changed since then. Some took their careers to the world stage as full-time touring artists (who would have thought?), while others, myself included, put music on hold or dropped it altogether to pursue family, career ambitions, or other paths. But for some, it was different—they were no longer with us in this plane of existence.
In a strange twist of fate, I find myself writing about Spyderhand (Sam), who was a fellow artist in the local scene and part-time journalist for the Daily Nation, a local paper. It's ironic because he was the first to write about my musical endeavors years ago, giving me my first taste of recognition as a teenager just doing what I loved.
Learning of Sam's passing at such a young age shocked us all. With few ways to cope with this loss, we were left with more questions than answers. His music still plays on the airwaves, opening fresh wounds each time. Though I didn't know Sam's personal struggles well, I remember him as the most jovial and upbeat person—always cracking jokes and laughing at them himself far too often. These are the memories of him I want to keep alive by sharing them with you. His band "Koinange Street Avengers" made some kick-ass music that you should check out!
Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 17, 2015
Years had passed by, and I decided to reach out to "Lord Spikeheart," who was now touring fulltime. "Will he even remember me?" I wondered. After all, he was doing amazing things with his music career and must meet countless people. Still, I reached out. To my delight, he did remember me. He was glad I contacted him, and we exchanged numbers.
What followed—a phone conversation after exchanging brief texts—which would stay with me for life. One thing he said struck me particularly hard: "All my friends are dead."
"All My Friends Are Dead"
Sam's passing hit all of us hard, and it must have been even more devastating for his family, close friends, and old bandmates, including "Lord Spikeheart". It wasn't easy on me as well, but I can only imagine what dealing with such a loss must be like for them. During our call, we reminisced about our small local scene, and I expressed how proud I was of his blooming music career. He assured me this was just the beginning. We discussed goals, motivations, and ambitions. But the message was simple: we don't have much time on this earth. Everything could vanish without a moment's notice. So chase what you want. It might seem obvious, but we often forget even the most basic truths. Every day, every hour, every second, we're dying.
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