I went to the Texas Bitcoin Conference. It was a great event overall but one part really stuck with me: the concert, or “Bitcoincert” held at the end of the conference. This “Bitcoincert” was the first ever “Bitcoin-exclusive” concert, where tickets could only be purchased using Bitcoin.
One performer at the Bitcoincert specifically caught my full attention: a Jazz and R&B singer, songwriter, and recording artist by the name of Carolyn Malachi.
She and her band brought a new groove to the conference; she even had the crowd participate with her in performing some funky tunes. I found myself head-bobbing without thinking twice about it.
I had to know more about her. And luckily, I did.
After speaking with her, I learned that she was a Grammy- nominated artist: her single “Orion” received a Grammy award nomination for Best Urban / Alternative performance in 2011.
I asked her about her musical background.
“Growing up in Washington, DC,” she explained, “afforded me the luxury of a thriving cultural scene. By listening to Jazz, Go-Go music, and other genres, I developed an appreciation for the ways in which various forms of music can work together. The exposure guides my genre-blending creative process today, and for that, I am grateful.”
I wondered about Carolyn’s connection to Bitcoin and learned she is a part of Bitcoin history—being the very first recording artist to accept Bitcoin payments for her music. It turned out she discovered it on a Bloomberg article last year, then she began accepting it in October of 2013, so her fans who live in countries with no PayPal access can purchase her music with this new currency. “The cryptocurrency”, she says, ” is already proving to be a game changer for people in emerging markets – particularly women – who need an alternative to traditional methods of payment.”
“Bitcoin”, she added, “connects to the idea of music, because music is about freedom and when musicians play, we feel free, and it’s an invitation to the audience to participate in that freedom.”
I asked her how she ended up at the Bitcoin conference, and she said she was looking for Bitcoin-related events to be a part of and discovered the Texas Bitcoin Conference. Carolyn and her team spoke to Paul Snow from the Texas Bitcoin Association, and set up the concert. The rest was history.
Also in reference to the Bitcoincert performance, Carolyn said ” We dared to dream it. It’s important to start creating things that aren’t there. Have daring thoughts; bold, daring, good thoughts and pursue them because they can absolutely come true and this is proof.”
Bitcoin was once merely an idea, but since it was developed and solidified as a protocol, it has become one of the most revolutionary ideas of the century. So yes, our dreams truly are powerful.
You can visit Carolyn’s website at http://carolynmalachi.com/
