As much as I hate writing about myself, I do love sharing memories, meeting new people, finding new ways to connect, etc. Vulnerability is the foundation of a good relationship, so here goes nothing.

I have always been surrounded by music. My parents are both musicians themselves, and it’s very much a part of our family dynamic. I started piano lessons at 6, quit piano and started cello lessons at 9, plucked out my first chords on guitar (thanks to my Dad) when I was 11, and fell deeper and deeper in love with music and writing throughout my high school years. Everyone has a list of reasons why their teenage years were full of exuberance and anguish, and while I had my share of mental health struggles, emotional turmoil, and confusion, music was my anchor. Some of the most important adult influences in my life were my music educators, and for that I am so grateful. I would go as far to say that I would not be here without them.

From the years of 2016-2020 I earned my Bachelor’s in Music (with an Outside Field in Writing) from Ithaca College. I developed an intense relationship with imposter syndrome, and at the same time, grew my understanding of what is capable with music. I am still amazed at my peers, and the incredible instruction and support of the faculty there. I owe it to them for their patience with me, as I slowly figured out how to navigate the intense world of professional music. Not only that, I was able to develop a full passion for creative writing, especially in the form of poetry and fictional short stories. I have previously had work published in Waxing and Waning, a Literary Journal run by Nashville-based April Gloaming Publishing House.

When it came time for graduation in the midst of an uncertain world, my partner Katie and I made the move down to Knoxville, TN. For me, it was to be closer to the Nashville songwriting resources I had heard about. She landed a graduate TA position and embarked on a Master’s degree in Music Education from UTK. What we found here was more than we expected— a thriving, growing community of talented, hardworking, experimental, and welcoming musicians. It has been a thrill to be here.

Speaking of Katie, she is a complete badass and deserves her own paragraph. We have been in a relationship for three and a half years at the time I am writing this, and I cannot think of a single person who has had quite as much of an impact on me as she has. Apart from being an incredible bass player and all-around musician, Katie has inspired me to look at music differently, and has been there for me anytime I feel creatively stuck. She is my most frequent collaborator with Stranger May, and I feel honored to have the opportunities with her that I do. Anything she does makes me immensely proud, whether that be teaching at the college level, or improvising at an open mic. Katie really is one of the most talented and committed musicians I know.

You can find Katie and I at a number of open mics in the Knoxville area. We are always happy to jump in and play with anyone who asks. In addition to experimenting with our open mic friends, we also gig in and around Knoxville with a number of local acts. We are both members of the band Redd, a folk/Americana band fronted by Redd Daugherty (previously featured on American Idol). We have toured around NYC, Philly, Richmond VA, Raleigh NC, Denver CO, and others, and can’t wait to grow with such an amazing group.

When it comes to my solo project, Stranger May, I have a mess of ideas and lyrics and genres all piled in my head— some days you could call it the “Mental Laundry Pile of Death.” I have rampant ADHD, and while I feel that it aids my creative spirit, I have difficulty choosing a style or genre that I really connect to. I love so many, I just want to do it all! There is a constant pushing and pulling between fine-tuning my own sound, and just trying everything at once. I am learning that these things can work together. I can still be me, and do different things.

Things I am committed to in my musical career: honesty, experimentation, bravery, love for kindness and queerness and people.

Things I am not committed to: genre, style, instrumentation.

For a while, I have struggled to describe my sound to others. It changes so often in my head, but when consulting my peers they seem to have a better idea than I do. I have heard my sound described as jazz-inspired, indie, singer-songwriter, and coffeehouse, and while I find all of those accurate, I really just strive for warmth. My recorded music (as of now) takes on more of a pop/electronic style, and I love to experiment with more modern sounds.

As I mentioned previously, collaboration is one of the most important aspects of music to me, and I am beyond blessed to have met a host of creative, talented, and hardworking people who help me bring my visions to life. In my indecision, confusion, or wild ambition, I know that I have some amazing people I can lean on. A huge shout out to David Shane, a good friend of mine who did some amazing work producing my album. (You can listen to it here).

Thank you to my parents and partner, my music-school peers, my loving friends and family, and to the ever-growing, ever-evolving, rich, supportive musical community of Knoxville, TN.

Thank you for reading, listening, and being here. I have so much left to share.

-Colleen