Sometimes, I feel an urge to write a song, and other times, it just pours through me as I try to keep up. That is how my songwriting process has been going lately, and I am just surrendering to the whole experience. I have written three new songs over the past few months, and they are set to release in a few days!
The first song, Rooted, came out of me about four months ago when I began experiencing a re-grounding with my roots in Tennessee. I have had a disconnection with what home really means to me since I was an early teen, and I have spent this whole year so far focusing on what that really means to me now. Even after being on the healing journey for many years, a part of me still has this aching, empty feeling when it comes to connecting with my hometown and who I was before the tragedy that required us to leave my family and friends to move across states to start over. But inspiration lit within me through constant visions and dreams that led me to reconnect with the land and loved ones from my hometown in a way I had longed for.
So, Rooted is that journey for me of reclamation and rooting in.
The cover photo for this single is a picture of me in the old fields that I would play in as a little girl, and this moment was so special for me. I pulled over on the side of the old country road that I know just as well as the lines on my hands and looked out over this field. I had the song Wild Sweet by Starling Arrow playing, and I could see my younger self in a dress and a backpack cutting through the trees into this field on my way to play in the creek. Most of my time growing up, I spent outside in the woods and the winding creek beds. Living here in the country nurtured my love of the earth in all of her beauty and mystique. This is the place I want to come home to when I need to root in. This is where my soul is rooted, and I am now honoring that in a way that I didn't know was possible until now.
The next song, Honeysuckle, is a sweet and sensual lullaby type of song. It is about love and reflects that on many levels. Those of you who have been following my journey for a while now know that I have a romantic relationship with life, and this speaks to that deeper surrender into the present moment because only here in the now can we transcend time and step into the sacred.
This one began as a piece of poetry, and then I felt drawn to expand it into a song a few weeks later. Sometimes, the stories don’t end where you think they do, and we must trust the natural unfolding.
The last song, Forgotten Places, came flowing out of me almost unexpectedly. I grabbed my guitar to capture a feeling flowing through, and within just a few hours, I had the song written. The story of this song reflects those times when we find ourselves sad and stuck in another place entirely, even when everything around us is beautiful and good. I usually try to pull myself back into the present moment when I am caught up in fear or in another place entirely, but this song came as a message to myself that it is okay to be where I am even if I am not fully present. Sometimes, we need to be in another place within ourselves, even if it isn't in this moment. We are always where we need to be, and we must go where we need to go to understand ourselves. There is a reminder not to get stuck in fear, not to become wrapped in old stories, but also to not feel bad about needing to visit these places to process. There is no right way to travel the spiraling path of our individual journey, and we are always exactly where we need to be.
Within a few days after writing this song, I knew I wanted to record it, and I felt that it would sound amazing if there were some strings in it. I have always wanted strings in my music, even way back when I pursued music while living in Seattle around 2008. I just knew it would bring this song alive. The first person I thought of was my friend,
, so I sent her a text.
Even though she said she was a bit rusty, I knew she was the one for this project. I sent her my song; she loved it and was all in. She started writing a part for the viola, and within two weeks, she flew to my house from Vegas so we could record the song together here in my home studio. This all happened so organically that it felt like a sweet magic had woven itself into the process. I guess all creativity is weaved with magic, but this was one for the books.
I have always been a solo songwriter and musician (except for playing with my friends and family around the campfire or whatnot), so inviting someone to be a part of one of my songs felt like a big deal for me. My music feels sacred to me, and this was like asking someone to come and read and write in my journal. But this felt so right, and I believe it turned out better than I could have hoped for. Vanessa and I will be getting together to record a chat about our process of working together on this song, so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.
Music helps me express myself and process life, bringing medicine to my soul. I hope these songs can be medicine for you as well.
So, when are these songs coming out? On my birthday! September 9th. So, set the date! I hope you resonate with the stories I share through these songs. Please share with a friend or loved one to help me get the word out! I really appreciate all of your love and support!
My Patreon family has already heard all three songs with free downloads. So consider joining if you’re into full moons, medicine journeys, ceremonies, and sacred creativity. www.patreon.com/seekingwildbeauty
Thank you for reading, friends! I am sending you all so much love!
-Harmony
Ive been thinking of you this whole week!! So glad to hear a glimpse INTO the alchemy you have been brewing with. Very excited to hear your beautiful potent songs 🌀