Songhold is an album of music to embrace the world. Much as I might want to change the world through politics or activism, I know from feedback over the years that the most potent tool I have to offer is my music. Now I am guided to bring my voice forward to reach a greater audience than I can with live performances alone. With your support, I intend to make a professional recording with some fine musicians, so that these songs can reach further into the world, amplifying the transformative power of Love.
These songs and chants have come to me in quiet, meditative moments, and have already been shared with many by word of mouth. The messages are simple but profound and reassuring: our true nature is love. We are here to anchor deep into love, and to rise and expand into love. Each one of us is good enough, in fact magnificent, because we are part of all Life and all Love. The songs have been with me for some years, and now, at this time of extreme challenge in the world, it is time for them to be shared more widely.
Some of the words in the chants are from Sharon McErlane’s work (netoflight.org) and have been sung by groups across the world, and shared during the pandemic via live video link with thousands. Some of the songs have been translated into other languages.
[image by Joyce Huntington]
"We sing your songs and chants and I think they're some of the very best we have. So I know many people will be benefiting from what you are offering. You are helping lift this planet, Jackie. I’m not exaggerating. That’s exactly what your songs and chants do.” Sharon McErlane
I have shared these songs with small groups, and I have received many messages of how people’s hearts have been touched by them.
“Our children need to know that they are enough, and they are held, and singing Jackie’s songs has helped me bring that into my children’s bedtime routine. I recently found my daughter singing ‘You are Enough’ to her teddies so I know it’s sinking in!” Rowan Ryrie
Singing these songs, especially in community with others, connects us with our inner knowing, and allows us to reach into a realm of deep reassurance from our ancestors and the divine beings who stand with us, ready to guide humanity though this time of turmoil and transformation. These songs are needed. Please help me to get them out to the world.
ABOUT JACKIE SINGER (voice, shruti box, mandola, violin)
I am a multi-disciplinary artist and shamanic practitioner based in Oxford. In 2022-2023 I toured Rhiannon Unbridled, an Arts Council England supported one-woman show about a Celtic horse goddess – and me. I am a singer-songwriter and violinist and have made four albums of contemporary folk music with bands (Jabberwocky and Kismet) and one solo album – She is Gold. I am a maker of rituals, and author of the book Birthrites - Rituals and Celebrations for the Child-bearing Years. I am a founder member of Oxford Community Goddess Temple, and over the past 5 years have been Regional Coordinator for the Net of Light community in the UK. (More info: jackiesinger.co.uk; thehummingbirdlodge.com)
ABOUT THE OTHER ARTISTS
I am joined in this project by three talented and experienced musicians: Melissa Holding (accordion, piano, koto), Josie Webber (voice, cello, bass) and Tobias Sturmer (drums, percussion). We may invite others to join us as guests.
We have already begun recording at the beautiful Shaken Oak Studios in rural west Oxfordshire, with sound engineer Arthur Young at the helm.
I am thrilled to reveal that the talented artist Dorrie Joy has agreed to create an original artwork as the central image for this album. Dorrie's work is visionary and luminous, and will be a wonderful contribution to the vibration we are seeking to sound.
ABOUT THE FUNDS
Goal £7,500: Record a Beautiful Album & Begin Sharing it
- Record, mix and master ten tracks with four + musicians at Shaken Oak Studios (Studio engineer £2,850, Musicians £2,950)
- Commission original artwork for the CD cover and online use (£450)
- Design CD covers and manufacture 200 CDs with cardboard cases and booklet inserts (£750)
- Upload the tracks to Bandcamp and streaming platforms, plus initial marketing & promotion (£500)
Stretch Goal £9,500: Reach a Wider Audience
- Create a downloadable songbook to share the music (£300)
- Create a professional video to accompany one or more of the tracks (£900)
- Run a fuller promotion campaign with professional input via social media, podcasts etc (£800)
Wildest dreams £10,000 +
- Create a printed songbook
- Start preparing a tour of house concerts and Goddess Temples across the UK . . .
* * * *
WILL YOU ADD YOUR ENERGY TO OURS?
We are hugely grateful for any pledges to bring this music out to the world, however large or small. We also really appreciate you sharing this with others, via social media, email or good old fashioned conversation. Let's do this!
P.S. When we have a mix of the new music to share, I'll add a link here! Meanwhile, here's another song of mine, recorded with Kismet 10 years ago. It feels appropriate for this time of year and this stage of the new project: Seed.
[Photo of Shaken Oak Studio]