Instagram story viewer> @thisiskairos> Tagged

Lena Simon

@thisiskairos

5K

followers

2462

following

Composer / Arranger / Multi-Instrumentalist

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Caroline Rose in stylish black & white

📷: @itsunclecarol
📍: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
🗓: 2026.10.10
Shot for: @noflash.photos

#carolinerose #wylie #concertphotography #pittsburghphotographer #noflashphotography

8

0

Day 15 of 31 Things I’ve Accomplished That Are So Cool It’s Scary: I released the first (I think??) top 40 love song using a same gendered pronoun!

Thirteen years ago, I was feeling sappy and wanted to watch a music video that had a sweet sapphic love story, but my search didn’t get far at all. I couldn’t find anything. I am a hopeless romantic and hated that there were so few affirming love songs for queer relationships out in the world, and fewer music videos—if any at all. Melissa Ethridge, The Indigo Girls, Ma Rainey, Elton John, Prince were all icons and inspired me to be my authentic self and paved the way for an artist like me to be bold and unafraid to be myself.

After Same Love, I had been trying to figure out how to incorporate the chorus into my performances, since it was such a massive hit. I had an older song that had really strong verses but a weak chorus, so I made a mashup of my own songs (an approach I still use today!) and She Keeps Me Warm was born. The initial version of the song had lush strings arranged by @andrewjoslynmusic and was recorded at London Bridge studios (my favorite version tbh), but when I signed to Capitol, they wanted a snappier radio version (and of course they wanted to own the master), so I had to re-record it. I still like that version as well, I’m just partial to the 2013 person inside of me who trusted her creative vision and voice (she’s back btw ♥️)

The music video was integral to the song’s success and starred one of my dearest friends, @beaux_breaux and was directed by @linmego. There were almost 100 people that helped make that video happen for almost no money. Forever grateful to every single person who was a part of the song and video. I could not have done it alone!

I performed this song on the Tonight a Show with Jay Leno, on the Queen Latifah Show, on Good Morning America, at sold out shows in Tokyo, at halftime shows, and at the White House. The song peaked at 22 on the Billboard charts, and is still one of my favorites to perform when I’m hired for weddings and at my shows. I’m incredibly proud and thankful for everyone who was part of it’s success and to everyone who saw themselves in it.

686

18

Caroline Rose opening for @modestmouse at @citizenswylie

📷: @itsunclecarol
📍: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
🗓: 2026.10.10
Shot by: @mastermichel_misc

#carolinerose #wylie #concertphotography #pittsburghphotographer #noflashphotography

10

2

Sneak peek of Caroline Rose opening for @modestmouse at @citizenswylie
Full coverage coming soon

📷: @itsunclecarol
📍: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
🗓: 2026.10.10
Shot by: @mastermichel_misc

#carolinerose #wylie #concertphotography #pittsburghphotographer #noflashphotography

20

0

Shot Caroline Rose opening for Modest Mouse last night in Baltimore, and this set was such a fun one to photograph! Appreciate Caroline’s team for the photo access.

📸: Ash Lazarus Orr

#CarolineRose #ModestMouse #ConcertPhotography #Canon #baltimore

3

3

We are beyond excited (and relieved) to announce the short film we shot earlier this year is officially locked. We can’t even believe the talent and generosity of the folks we got to work with on this, or that we got to make something so equally silly and deeply personal and cathartic together. THANK YOU from the bottom of our gay hearts to everyone who helped and supported this production along the way. DM us for password protected link!

STRAIGHT THIS WAY

DIRECTED BY:
The Mimi Sisters
(Sunday Lane & Liza Nelson)

WRITTEN BY:
Sunday Lane & Liza Nelson
Nick Richey

STARRING:
Sam Drust
Rachel Scanlon
Jennie Garth
Sofia Uribe Angelopoulos
George Todd McLachlan
Colleen Ann Bowling
Nour Zuaiter

PRODUCED BY:
Halfway Crooks Entertainment
(Nick Richey & Zach Mann)
Nora Neil
Sunday Lane
Liza Nelson

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Drew Bienemann

CASTING DIRECTOR:
Rachel Goldman

PRODUCTION DESIGNER:
Liza Nelson

ART DIRECTIOR:
Megan Fenton
Sandy Olson

SET DRESSER:
Kristin Hardin
Victoria Foraker
Jonathan Rodriguez

COSTUME DESIGNER:
Jazlyn Jennings

MAKEUP:
Danielle Beyea

SPFX MAKEUP:
Megan Lauchner

ASSISTANT CAMERA:
Seannie Bryan
Jesse Newman
Chris Tse

GAFFER:
Noah Frasseto
Robert McQueeney
Israel Sandoval

SWING:
Donald Nam

KEY GRIP:
Dylan Whiddon

SOUND RECORDIST:
Paul Gonzales

SCRIPT SUPERVISOR:
Nora Neil

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:
Tessa Houstoun

LOCATION:
Stropa Studios

POST PRODUCTION:

EDITOR:
Andrew Saunderson

COMPOSER:
Lena Simon

SOUND EDITOR/MIXER:
Julie Diaz

COLORIST
Kaitlyn Battistelli

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST:
Molly Tomecek

53

13

YIP YIP YOW!

Caroline Rose and her badass band supporting Modest Mouse last night at the Sylvee in Madison, WI.

Keep flyin’ @itsunclecarol

#carolinerose #thesylvee
#concertphotography

79

6

I didn't die fyi*

183

8

Today is my birthday! Thank you for all the love ❤️‍🔥 My gift to myself (and maybe even to some of you out there too?) is to take the time to post about my own music!

I have been thoroughly immersed in supporting / collaborating with other musical projects for much of this year and as much as I truly love to play that role too and am very thankful to be working, I am dying to record my next album and share it with you all!

Earlier this year I gave myself a little window to focus on writing, and I recorded 8 demos of new songs that I’m extremely excited about! In February I played the only Laena show of 2026- with a bangin backing band to boot- and we played a handful of my new songs. For those who were there- I’ve written more since then that I can’t wait to play for you ❤️ Here is footage from the sound booth of my unreleased song “22 Flames”, which I really loved playing live🌟 I hope you enjoy it, and I thank you for your patience and support! I am hoping to record my next solo album this Winter 🥳

❤️ 🌎 ☮️

248

91

“The Ringing World” is out now.
Recorded throughout 2025 & 2026 at The Unknown, Hall of Justice, Pierced Ears Recording Co, & Seelie Court. Limited Edition of 100 LPs. Endless Thanks to all the fantastic folks who were a part of it… check it out at Bandcamp (link in bio) or streamin’ all around. ❤️

Personnel
Nicholas Wilbur - Engineering, Mixing & Mastering
Aaron Schroeder - Additional Engineering
Jake Brady (Drums, Bass, Guitar) Jeff Moller (Bass) Alina To (Violin) Abbey Blackwell (Upright Bass) Brenna Kamppi (Flute, Saxophone) James Fenwicke (French Horn, Trumpet) Lily Breshears (Harp) Lena Simon (Vocals) Lizzy Ellison (Vocals) Kyle Hurt (Vocals)

139

8

“The Boy You Love To Burn” out today, and boy, was it fun to have so many talented folks contribute to this one, had the pleasure of working with Brenna Kamppi (Sax) James Fenwicke (Trumpet) Jeff Moller (Bass) Jake Brady (Drums) and some incredible backups from Lena Simon, Lizzy Ellison, & Abbey Blackwell Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Nicholas Wilbur at The Unknown in Anacortes, WA with some additional recording by Aaron Schroeder at Pierced Ears Recording Co in Seattle. 📸 @bradharv / / slide 2 is an example of “l’idiot humilié” - a vocal technique I often practice…It achieves a certain vulnerability, without committing to The Full Monty.

50

3

A little trip to Joe Bar last night on the wings of my friends 💙 @joe_bar_cafe

79

17