Hello!
The time has finally come to find my own tiny corner of the internet where I can share my music, musings and news with you. It has been a long time in the thinking, and is finally in the making.
I have wanted to create and share music since I was a little dot. When I was sixteen I sang a support slot for a band in a small bar in Knysna, crippled with performance anxiety and fear. Karma-Ann Swanepoel of Henry Ate told me “there is a place for you” and it's only now that I feel ready to step into it.
After a couple of devastating losses and uncertainties over the last few years, I feel compelled now to lean into this desire to create. This comes along with all the self-doubts and angsts that putting yourself ‘out there’ usually involves, so please be kind. As an introvert I have found this aspect particularly challenging. The gremlins are loud but the music is louder. I am sharing this journey as I develop and grow as a writer and singer, and hope you will come along with me!
- This week I went to a stunning location at Toe Head, West Cork to shoot some photographs for my new release ‘Home’ which is out now on Spotify, Apple Music and other major music services. The very talented trio Celeste Burdon (Photographer), Billie Adele (Make-Up) and Sarah Corcoran (Stylist) came together to create the look. I wanted to communicate something about the tangle of trying to dance with your own creative impulses when you are in the midst of an ‘undoing’ / breakdown / awakening / whatever you want to call it. We played around with various influences, from the epic Outlander (*Obsessed!*) and the Scottish Highlands, to Voguing. I am now actively trying to manifest the ownership of this amazing property so I can finally retire to the hills and become the recluse I was always meant to be! Anyone else banking on the RedFM Cash Machine to make all their earthly dreams come true??
- I went down to Wavefield Recording Studios to work on a song for Gaza. Like most human being people, I have been deeply affected by the situation in Palestine and watching it unfold has altered my sense of safety in the world. If you are not affected by this event we are all witnessing, please do not subscribe and move along into whatever corner of hell is reserved for heartless people who think it is okay to try and exterminate an entire population in such a brutal manner. I cannot fathom how we are here. I feel powerless and so I wanted to add my voice to the outcry that is being ignored by the people who have the power to put a stop to this deeply unjust genocide. I look forward to releasing this work in support of Palestine and I would really be grateful if you can donate anything to the cause. Stay tuned for more news on this!
- I have three more recording sessions booked over the Summer and I am going to be busy writing for the next three months. I am also building out a coaching program for people who want to explore their own innate creativity. I will be launching this in May, so if you want to have some adventures in creativity together, watch this space!
- I am currently reading (or rather, listening on Audible) to ‘If Women Rose Rooted’ (thanks to Celeste for the recommendation!) “This is powerful rallying cry to women to embrace a different kind of femininity. Described as both transformative and essential, Sharon Blackie leads the listener on a quest to find their place in the world, drawing inspiration from the wise and powerful females in native mythology, and guidance from contemporary women who have re-rooted themselves in land and community and taken responsibility for shaping the future.”
I feel like this project is my own version of this, having gone through my own experience of corporate burnout and mid-life panic attack, so the recommendation was very timely. So far, so so good. Check it out!
- I watched Aftersun (also Celeste, thank you!!) with the verrrrr talented Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio playing a sensitive father/daughter duo. Very unexpected, absolutely stunning and devastating. Touched a nerve, may never be the same again, expect a song about this in the near future. I'm off to cry some more about this film which got right into my bones.
That's it from me, but I would love to hear from you! What are you doing/thinking/feeling/reading/seeing? Answers on a postcard.
Until next time….