4 Reasons to Collaborate on Pagan Music

I spent my first years in the Pagan musical community hiding from my fellow musicians every time they asked for folks to sing, play or otherwise contribute to something that they were working on. Why? My reasons might be different from others, but what it came down to was imposter syndrome and my belief that I lacked the experience and recording equipment to offer anything of value. I mean, all these folks were so talented and I just couldn’t accept that I had anything to offer.

Fortunately, our pagan musicians are the most supportive and forgiving of all the musical communities in which I have ever been involved. Let me share my reasons for saying “yes” to collaborating and cross-pollinating with my fellow Pagan musicians and offer you a bit of my journey.

Reason 1: Increase Success by Overcoming Limiting Barriers and Beliefs

Me & The Moon Tonight / Celia Farran

Once upon a time, Celia reached out to me as I was traveling through Arizona, with an offer to stay at her house for a couple of days just to chat and get to know each other. While I was there, she asked me to join her in a short live, on-line performance … something that I had not done as a solo artist. It was a little terrifying, but Celia made me feel so comfortable, that I forgot to feel nervous while I was playing to the camera. 

She then asked me if I would sing harmonies on a song on her upcoming CD Karma. Her studio was set up in a bedroom. She knew exactly how to use all the equipment and software. The vocal booth was her clothes closet. I was so curious about how she was able to record outside of a standard studio and produce her own music, I just had to say yes. I sat in the closet, headphones on, and sang into the mic she set up.

Celia is an excellent producer, and conveyed exactly what she needed from me. With a little patience, she got the vocals that she needed. In just a couple of days, I learned so much from Celia. She shared marketing ideas, and I experienced what it was like to work in a bedroom studio and create great sounding tracks. Years later, I have my own bedroom studio and I am grateful that Celia placed that seed of inspiration in my soul.

Listen to Me & The Moon Tonight from Celia’s album Karma, and learn about all the wonderful musicians and vocalists on the song right here: https://celiaonline.bandcamp.com/track/me-the-moon-tonight

Celia is also a blogger on this website. You can read her posts here.

Second Chances / Cloud the Pagan Rapper

I have loved Cloud since he showed up on the Pagan music scene. My guilty pleasure is lo-fi, old school rap, and his rhymes hooked me. When he put the call out for a collaboration, I couldn’t hit that reply button fast enough.

Cloud shared his vision and his perspective for Second Chances, and asked me to sing the chorus. I was building my bedroom studio. taking recording and mixing classes, and was ready to put my new gear and knowledge to work. We talked a bit about what he was looking for, I took notes, and dove right in. Rap is not my performance genre, and yet, Cloud gave me an opportunity to blend my magic with his deeply moving lyrics.

This was also a wonderful opportunity for our audiences to learn about each of us and share more music with everyone. Listen to what we cooked up right here (tw: drugs, violence): https://cloudrapswicca.bandcamp.com/track/second-chances-feat-mama-gina-lamonte

Reason 3: Learn and Improve Techniques by Working with Stellar Musicians and Producers

Temple of the Trees / Brian Henke

Let me be clear. Brian Henke is a dear friend and a musician far beyond anything I could aspire to. And yet, he continues to support musicians in our world and often asks folks to collaborate on his musical projects. I have been fortunate to be in his background chorus several times, and have learned to trust the process. When he wants an ethereal chorus at the end of the song and asks for vocal tracks, I do my best to say yes. I have learned so much by listening to Brian’s productions.

Take that leap of faith when someone asks you to contribute. You might just find yourself in a forest full of fae. I am so delighted every time I listen to Henke’s Temple of the Trees. The wall of voices, which includes a host of Pagan voices, occurs at the very end of this recording, and you should listen to the entire song. Click this link and then scroll down to Temple of The Trees and hit play: https://www.reverbnation.com/brianhenke/songs

Brian Henke’s bio and his posts here on Pagan Song are on his author page.

Reason 4: Foster Musical and Community Diversity/Expand Potential for Innovation

Merry Meet / Alexian

Four years ago, Alexian sent out a call to create a volunteer Pagan choir. He heard a song in a dream, and his vision was born. Alexian is a brilliant composer, musician, songwriter and producer, and as each of us signed up for this unknown collab, he sent very precise instructions on what we were to record. We each learned our parts and even sang a little Latin.

I had absolutely no idea what the song would sound like or where my part would fall in it. I don’t read music, but Alexian provided sheet music AND simple click tracks and piano parts to sing along with. I love the opportunity to work with a trained musician like Alexian. I learned so much about singing harmonies (it is NOT the same as singing lead), and about how to organize information so that the musicians you are working with have clarity.

And now, four years later, Merry Meet is complete. I have to say it is one of my favorite Alexian pieces to date. It is lush with tablas and other percussion, and Spectral, that volunteer choir.

Alexian and I recently chatted about the experience, and you can listen to our conversation above or by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdbmmXZbpw. The song is available for purchase here: https://www.alexianmusic.com/store

Alexian’s blog posts here on Pagan Song are gathered on his author page.

Whatever Your Creative Calling, Say “Yes!” to Collaboration

If you are have felt timid about offering up your skills, I strongly encourage you to say YES! to the next collaborative opportunity that arises.

Be brave.

You will make new friends.

You may get a moment’s reprieve from your imposter syndrome, if that is what has been holding you back.

You will definitely learn something new.

I certainly have!

For more information about Mama Gina, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to Gina’s sites on the web, check out Gina’s page on Pagan Song.

cover picture of recording equipment by Will Francis on Unsplash

You can find many more posts about musicianship by Pagan Song’s bloggers on our Music How-to Page

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