This is my novice round entry for NATA 14. The theme this time around was “Through the Eyes of a Stranger.” Once again, I wish I had more time to put this together like I wanted, but I suppose I like how it turned out.

I’m a musician and I get out and play as much as I can. Music, art, and words are my greatest passions. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of meeting so many amazing people while out playing music and going to shows to see other bands and musicians. But no matter where you go, out in the crowd there are strangers and people you’ll never know. When I’m up on stage, sometimes I look around and wonder what these people see. I wonder if I’m having any effect on them, or if they’re even listening at all to what I have to say. It’s interesting to think that I could change a person’s life without ever even meeting them. I know that I’ve been hugely affected by so many other musicians and poets and writers and artists and comedians and actors and athletes and philosophers…some of whom I have met, and others that I may never meet. But they have all affected my life in a positive way and I hope that I can do the same for others. That’s the power of music and art and words…it comes from deep inside of people and it’s what makes us human.

The musical clip was taken from a show that I played at a bar in my hometown. I wrote the lyrics to “Peace of Mind” when I was nineteen years old. It's a punk rock song, but I could never really find the music that I wanted to put with the words so the lyrics just floated around for a few years. Finally, one hot summer day I was sitting on the front porch playing my ukulele and suddenly the music came as quickly as the lyrics. I immediately recorded a ukulele version. Then, I started messing around with the guitar, bass, and drums and recorded a reggae version. This song has taken on many different forms and if you put a quarter in my hat I’ll play any version for you.

“Peace of Mind” Written and performed by Kyle Dobbins
“Peace of Mind” Created and animated by Kyle Dobbins

© BAD Records
© Tuxedo Cat Cartoons

Listen to the acoustic version of “Peace of Mind”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvPCBivqHtw

Tuxedo Cat Cartoons YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/user/TuxedoCatCartoons

Kyle's Music and Art YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/user/TheTuxedoCats

Kyle's Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/whotookmyhat