Before he became known as Secretary Blinken, with all the associated security and diplomatic gravitas, Antony Blinken was a musician at heart, deeply immersed in the world of guitars and bands. Long before high-stakes international negotiations, Blinken honed his skills on at least half a dozen guitars, including a prized Martin acoustic, confessing it was perhaps “more guitar than I deserve.” These years of home recording experiments culminated in a surprising public debut: three singles released on Spotify under the moniker Ablinken – a playful nod to his name, delivered with a wink.
These Spotify tracks, streamed over 150,000 times, reveal a blues-rock sensibility far removed from the language of international diplomacy. The lyrics, relatable and down-to-earth, stand in stark contrast to the polished pronouncements of a government official. In “Lip Service,” for example, over driving electric guitar chords, Blinken sings of everyday heartbreak: “And then I came home to you/But you said, ‘Let’s just be friends, yeah’”. This musical venture offers a glimpse into a less public, more personal side of the Secretary of State.
Blinken himself has noted that these songs were created and uploaded between 2018 and 2020, a period when he was outside of government during the Trump administration and uncertain about his future in public service. “I had little idea that there would be another run at government, or a public career of any kind,” he explained. “And so when the president put me forward for this job, there they were,” referring to his unexpected musical catalog suddenly available alongside his political profile. He jokingly categorized his music as “wonk rock” on social media, a blend of his policy expertise and rock aspirations.
Interestingly, Blinken’s “wonk rock” has occasionally intersected with his official duties. His songs have been played at overseas events, creating a unique atmosphere before official engagements. In June 2021, embassy staff in San José, Costa Rica, were greeted with Ablinken’s tunes prior to a speech. Similarly, a Finnish radio station broadcast one of his tracks when he visited Helsinki to discuss the war in Ukraine, demonstrating the surprising reach of his musical endeavors.
Going further back, Blinken’s musical past includes his band Cash Bar Wedding, a group that held its own within the Washington D.C. scene. His bandmates were notable figures in their own right: Eli Attie, a former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore and later a writer for the acclaimed political drama “The West Wing,” and Jay Carney, who served as press secretary for President Biden during his vice presidency. This history underscores that Blinken’s musical pursuits were not just a solitary hobby, but a collaborative and genuine passion that predates his prominent political career.
In conclusion, Antony Blinken’s musical journey as Ablinken offers a fascinating counterpoint to his public image as a statesman. From private guitar sessions to Spotify releases and a band with political insiders, his engagement with music reveals a multi-faceted individual. “Blinken Playing Guitar” is more than just a casual pastime; it’s a long-standing passion that provides a unique lens through which to view a prominent figure on the world stage.
