You’d have a hard job pitching karaoke today, if it didn’t already exist. Considered in isolation, the idea of performing in front of other people—especially strangers—is mortifying for most people. It’s like public speaking, but worse: No one will really notice if you make an error in a presentation at work, but they will definitely spot it if you fluff the high notes on “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Despite this, karaoke-centered bars, video games and even wedding receptions abound. And there’s James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke for those who prefer their karaoke secondhand (with over three billion views on YouTube, it seems many do). This story is from Kinfolk Issue Fifty Buy Now Related Stories Music Issue 51 Zach Condon A check-in with the Beirut musician. Music Issue 50 Caroline Polachek “The thing that eats at me a little bit is how subjective my music is.... You can’t get away from ‘Caroline Polachek.’” Music Issue 50 Power Tool Master piano tuner Ulrich Gerhartz on the tool he couldn’t work without. Music Issue 50 Odd Jobs Molly Lewis, professional whistler. Music Issue 50 Behind the Scenes Film composer Emile Mosseri on the art of setting music to film. Music Issue 49 Tove Lo The pop star reflects on the big feelings behind her biggest hits.
Music Issue 50 Caroline Polachek “The thing that eats at me a little bit is how subjective my music is.... You can’t get away from ‘Caroline Polachek.’”
