I'm so excited to tell you all about my time at The Songwriter's Soul Kitchen Retreat in McRae, Georgia this past weekend! (as I'm sure you'll be able to tell by my overzealous use of the exclaimation point in this post!!)
I arrived in Atlanta on Thursday a few hours earlier than my airport pick up time, which was actually pretty dope because I was able to have some quality hang time (and a mini musical pow-wow) with my brotha from anotha Tre Virdure who recently relocated from BR to ATL!
(Side note: Ever had one of those friends who you just dig so much that it makes you hostile?? Like, you walk around waiting for someone to say the wrong thing about them in your presence just so you can straight click out on them for no good reason?? There's no rhyme or reason to it whatsoever but Tre is that one homie that can make this lil canadian peacenik get straight gully. Perhaps it's because that's how he is about his friends so you feel a certain obligation to return the loyalty, by any gully means necessary...but back to the blog).
So, on the long drive from ATL to the cooouuunnttry (I think McRae's population is 2300?), courtesy of the one and only D. Black, I had the chance to get acquainted with some awesome folk: film maker Roni Nicole (Wodie), her wise-beyond-her-years-and sweeter-than-any-ten-year-old-should-EVER-be daughter, Arielle (Lil Wodie) and musical artist Brody Love (a.k.a. Brodacious who has, like, the best smile in the universe...his eyes crinkle and twinkle!).
We arrived at the house just in time for some great food and wine, followed by a rousing and HILARIOUS game of Ebonic Scrabble. Seriously, y'all...so, so funny. Not to mention, a great writing tool/exercise!
The collective of artists this go 'round were nothing short of pure sunshine, personified. And I think that's a huge testament to Vinx and the energy that his teaching and his home brings out of people. The workshops were challenging and the exercises were invaluable.
I think as a solo artist, sometimes things can get pretty insular...I sometimes find myself taking the easy route when writing a song because there's no one else there to push me toward taking a more challenging approach to my story telling. This is why I love having the opportunity to collaborate with people who start off as virtual strangers. By the end of the songwriting process, you've learned so much about the folks you're working with...and you've learned so much about yourself! It's pretty incredible.
Oodles and oodles of love to Vinx and the Soul Kitchen fam (shout outs to my Wodie for the morning convos that were more invigorating that any amount of coffee!)...can't wait to do it again soon!
In some musical family news, while I was in McRae, Pops called to say that he's working on his next album and he wants me to write 4 songs for him. I've always felt intimidated at the prospect of writing for my dad but I'm actually excited to take on this challenge now! If you haven't heard his last album yet (Let Life Flow) check it out on his website. I truly think it's his best work yet! You can also order his bluesy/soulfilled Christmas album entitled I'll Be Home For Christmas (which also features songs by your's truly;) here.
Lastly, for all my BR people, I look forward to seeing you live and in color at The Soul Of The City Holiday Jam Session tomorrow night (Dec. 17th)! Click on the link for details as well as the exciting line up of artists set to perform their most soulful renditions of your favorite holiday tunes!!
Until next time, be good, be light, be LOVE!
Syreeta.x.o.
