Molina: I am a poet, I write music, and create artistic experiences for and with my communities.  I view life as art, so it goes beyond my crafts.  I am also an educator, I give a lot of my time to young people, because they inspire me.  

Artist Profile: www.MolinaSpeaks.com   Blog: www.TheArtistLens.com

Ian Cooke: I was born in Australia & grew up here in Colorado. I play the cello & piano & sing.
Website: http://www.iancookemusic.com/

 BolderLife Festival:  Please introduce your music? What are your current projects?

Ian Cooke: I took what I learned from classical music & applied it to writing pop songs. My friend Shenandoah Davis, who is also classically trained calls it “pop-sical”. My current projects include a collaboration with contemporary ballet company Wonderboud, and poet Michael J. Henry, which will run in April. I’m also writing an album of songs about dinosaurs, due to be released in the summer.

Molina: I am a poet and lyricist.  Hip-Hop was my first love.  Everything I do has some connection to the art and culture of hip-hop, but I am not limited or strictly defined by any one genre.  I recently released an album titled Greatest Rapper Never Heard with the Black Actors Guild and DJ Icewater.  People can find that on Itunes and Spotify, along with several other recent albums with an Albuquerque producer by the name of Diles (Name and Town and MileHighTimes). I am working on several new singles and projects that will be released this winter and spring.

 BolderLife Festival:  What does music mean to you and in your life?

Molina: Someone recently said that my tracks were like friends.  I like that, and it gave me new appreciation for the beats that producers send me.. cuz sometimes I’ll listen to a beat on repeat for days and days before I began writing.  Music has always been my best friend, there through all the fragments of my life.  I make music that explores the depths of the human experience, and I aim to say something more about the human experience as well.  We really get caught up in this human thing… as though there is nothing else.  Every collection of poetry and music has its own themes, and I am concept driven… but I want to talk about everything from culture and politics and sustainability to love, relationships and sex, being a father, watching the world change, watching the clouds pass, club life, fast moments, meditation, lessons learned, lessons I have yet to learn… the whole experience.

Ian Cooke: Making music is very important to me & I will let it be my career as long as I am able.

BolderLife Festival:  How do you think about this BolderLife’s vision/mission?

Ian Cooke: I wholeheartedly agree with Bolderlife’s vision & mission. I think educating people through the arts is one of the major ways to help get everyone to accept & embrace each other’s differences.

Molina: I respect the BolderLife Festival and the mission.  That’s why I’m involved.  I don’t partake in things I don’t believe in.  That’s why a lot of great artists remain indepenent and operate within a smaller sphere… they draw their lines and want to represent something that feels real to them.  I’d like to think I’m one of those artists, so it is exciting that I was asked to perform at the opening ceremony for this festival… to share the stage and the weekend with so many creative people who are doing what they Love.  I know I’ll see some friends there, and some colleagues, but I’m hoping to meet some new people.    Psst… Filmmakers… I’ve been thinking about taking on some acting roles… just a thought…

BolderLife Festival: Do you live a bolder life? What do you personally think how to live a bolder life?

Ian Cooke: I try to. In addition to encouraging humans get along with each other, improving our planet’s health is very important. Walking, riding a bicycle or using public transportation instead of driving when possible, recycling & composting, buying locally, etc. These are the kinds of things I try to make part of my lifestyle.

Thank you very much!

Performance Information

Molina Speaks: Performing Thursday December 5th, 2013 at the Opening Night Gala after the Director’s Welcome

Ian Cooke: Performing Sunday December 8th, 2013 during the Closing Night Gala main program