Song of the Soul

Emily White is Memphis-raised, but Chicagoan as adult, self-describing as Southerner by heart, Midwestern by choice. While Emily's voice and music are beautiful and compelling, her lyrics elevate her to the top ranks of performers, touching the deep places and raising it all to golden heights. Her newest album is called Songs You Didn't Know I Wrote About You, and that's likely the truth you'll experience in Emily's music.

A sampling of the full 3-plus-hour collaborative concert held on February 11^th, 2023 as part of the People's Music Network (PMN) Winter Convergence hosted at The People's Forum in New York City. Activism, humor, inspiration, justice, and more by 10 of the 25-plus performers at the concert.

This is our 2nd visit with Earth Mama/Joyce Rouse and her rich assortment of musical influences, combined with great lyrics and a truly beautiful voice, all in service of the people and creatures of this planet. Joyce's 15 albums of fun, deep, joyful, and thought-provoking songs make Earth more stunning and hopeful.

Past/present religious/spiritual influences: Lutheran, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Quaker

Annie Capp's music has sometimes been called Midwest Urban Folk and it has also been called Folk Therapy, and the music that she shares today is from an especially deep and somewhat confessional project called How Can I Say This.

Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds play songs with a deep center, and with rhythms and melodies gathered broadly, from around the world. Erin is a multi-instrumentalist, playing her magic on the violin, keyboards, accordion, & many more instruments.

Usually we have songwriters sharing their own songs, but today we have Chris David Westover-Muñoz, (and on Facebook) associate professor and director of bands at Denison University near Columbus, Ohio.

Bill Isles was into all kinds of music and several instruments back in his youth, but then there was a hiatus of around 25 years where he was focused elsewhere. It took a near-death experience, where he had no heartbeat for 2 minutes, to spur him back to his passion for music, now partnered with his wife, Kate. Deeply rooted in the soil and water of his homeland in Northern Minnesota, Bill tells the story of his life and his homeland through his music.

Randie O'Neil's music is magnetic, especially in the deeply honest feelings and aspirations of her songs. Randie has self-described as a Americana/Folk-Pop artist, but she is also standing on the shoulders of a number of heavy-rocking, strong-and-assertive-and-determined women who blazed a way in a mostly male-dominated rock world. Though her songs are largely solo artistry now, back in the day Randie was part of AMA (Against Medical Advice), though she is truly FMA (For Mental-health Advancement).

Back in 2020, early in the pandemic, I discovered the music of Raianne Richards and Mark Mandeville and instantly adored it, and had Mark as my Song of the Soul guest.

Kiran Ahluwalia was born in the Punjab, in India, but moved with her family to Canada when she was 7, well after she started training in the traditional music of her region. Kiran has continued her training, both deepening it and widening it. While her 8 albums are definitely rooted in the music and dance of her homeland, she has also enriched, extended, and diversified the songs she creates, most often carrying a message of connection and compassion.