CC: What are the best things about Cleveland? The Worst?
KL: Its strong, diverse ethnic heritage and its arts and music scene; for a town this size, Cleveland has a huge arts and music movement going on. The worst is poverty, the Cleveland economy, and Cleveland's image. It seems whatever national exposure Cleveland gets, the "image" thing always comes up whether good or bad. People are either putting Cleveland down or defending themselves because they choose to live here.
CC: What does Cleveland have that no other place has?
KL: Without a doubt, Jimmy Scott
CC: What does Cleveland have to do to make itself indispensable in the 21st Century?
KL: Make well thought out economic decisions. If biotech isn't going to happen here, we need to own up to it and find other progressive industries to invest in. If the RTA Corridor plan is getting poor reviews from the Federal Transit Administration, we have to think hard before committing $246 Million to it. Another thing would be to make a solid, financial commitment to the arts. If the arts got a fraction of what we've put towards the sports industry, everybody would be reaping the benefits of it, not just the elite.
CC: What does Cleveland have to stop doing?
KL: Apologizing. And stop trying to be Chicago.
CC: What has been your greatest contribution to this region?
KL: I always try to do my part in volunteering my talents to arts/culture organizations in town. I think more people should volunteer for things they believe in and want to thrive. It would make a huge difference.
CC: What do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?
KL: Being smart, creative, generous and strong.
CC: Cleveland is not a town that celebrates failures, but maybe it should. What was your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?
KL: I've been fortunate that I haven't experienced any huge failures to reflect on. Not to say that I don't fail all the time, it's just on a micro-level.
CC: Who do you look up to?
KL: Professionally, I look up to artists whose work gets mainstream approval while still retaining credibility in their underground origin. Artists like Jim Jarmusch, David Bowie, David Lynch, PJ Harvey, Douglas Coupland and Brian Eno.
CC: Do you have a motto?
KL: Not that I can think of.
CC: What is the best advice you've been offered.
KL: When I was first laid off from my job in the mid-90's several close friends had told me to not be afraid to venture out on my own... just don't panic. At the time, it was the scariest advice I had ever gotten. Sometimes I still want to panic, but I always remember not to.
CC: Where are you most likely to hang out in Cleveland?
KL: The Literary Cafe. A small, humble place with big ideas.
CC: The least likely?
KL: Browns Stadium
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