Thank you to each of you for following along on this journey, sharing your thoughts and responses to me over email, and interacting on this platform. When Iāve heard responses from folks, Iāve been stunned and surprised at the shared, common, universal experience that is being tapped into as I share my own specific, personal experience. Itās not as if my own private/personal experiences is identical to what others have experienced ā but often it activates memories, thoughts, stories that have been forgotten or shoved down. The songs have been activating dialogue, conversation, thought and curiosity that has been really humbling to hear about.
For me personally, it means a lot as you choose to share a comment or send a reply. When I get a response, I feel elated to hear how the music or stories connect with you specifically, and it helps me know Iām not alone, and encourages me to keep going. When I hear these stories, itās such an honour to be able to connect and receive perspectives, as I learn so much from you and the journey youāre on. So, thank you!
Tomorrow, Iāll be spending time in the studio with producer Jonathan Anderson. Jonathanās studio is in Maple Ridge, so my family and I are driving down to the Lower Mainland later today. Iāll be spending two days with Jonathan, while my partner Kendra and the kids spend time at places like Science World, spending time with a friend.
Jonathanās studio is called Protection Island. Heās been the producer behind artists like Jordan Klassen, Foxwarren, Aidan Knight, Said the Whale, and others. Our plan is to tackle 2 songs that we will move from my demo version, add new instrumentation, and get it all the way to a mixed and mastered finished recording. We might have time for more than 2, but as a start, Iām thinking of focusing on You Have Heard It Said and Youāre Allowed To, as those two songs feel foundational to the project.
This is kind of a get-to-know-you experience, too. Jonathan and I havenāt worked together before, so weāll learn if weāre a fit for each otherās styles and approach. With a couple finished songs, weāll be able to ask the question of āwhatās nextā ā book more time together, release what gets made, find a new path. Iām holding it rather openly as I experience what itās like to invite a collaborator into helped evolve my songs!
I hope to share the result of our work together with you as it concludes, so stay tuned for some exciting new developments.
If youāre new to this email list, or havenāt been clicking to read the updates (and no worries if thatās you, there have certainly been a lot of posts, and email inboxes are weird places for existential/musical expression), Iāve been releasing home recordings of songs I wrote during a season of my own healing. Iāve been hoping to reach others who are also healing, as it can be a pretty lonely experience to shift beliefs and communities that have caused harm, on the way towards new health. On the way, Iāve been offering the option of paid subscriptions to fund the production of a full album. So this weekās recording session is the direct result of your participation in this!
The songs and stories Iāve shared so far, in order, are these:
Where are we going next? Well, hereās a look at the spreadsheet where Iām tracking my songs, lyrics, recordings and progress. The plan is ākeep sharing, and keep going.ā
Some of the songs Iām most excited about have not yet been shared. And they keep coming! Just this week, I wrote a new song that I shared with a couple friends (Breaking the Cycle), and it feels deeply resonant for myself, and with the first listeners.
So, if you have been finding value in this journey, thank you so much for following along. Thereās more to come, and with 2 songs about to be moved into full production, I hope youāll be able to listen to them soon on your favourite music streaming platforms. And itās thanks to your support!
If you know anybody in your friend group who appreciates music, storytelling, healing from experiences with unhealthy religion, Iād love it if you could pass this newsletter along to them so they can sign up. I always share full songs and lyrics with even the Free version, and offer the Paid option for folks who are in a space where they can help fund/support the production journey ā no pressure to pay, healing is free.
If youāre now seeing for the first time what this project has morphed into, and you didnāt mean to be signed up for this list, absolutely no worries about clicking unsubscribe! Iām committed to not exploring the subscriber stats or looking at who unsubscribes, so it literally wonāt hurt my feelings if you unsubscribe. Iād rather you have an uncluttered inbox, a guilt-free mind, so let this go if it aināt for you.
Stay tuned for sharing the Spotify-ready recordings that will come out of this weekās work with Jonathan, and more recordings and stories in the weeks and months to come.
Thank you again for following along, for listening, for engaging, for asking questions, for reaching out, for supporting, and for investing in your own process of self-inquiry and growth. Itās a really beautiful thing.
Thanks Kevan - it's all good š
I can't wait for some of the songs on that list - the titles are intriguing! Also, I've been walking around with "All My Little Life" playing on repeat loop in my head. Good stuff.