Meet Deborah Solo Collins

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deborah Solo Collins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation; we’ve shared it below.

Deborah, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I think my resilience comes from practice. Every creative person will have to face rejection. It’s just part of climbing the cliff face of potential opportunities. You’ll try a million footholds before you find a path upward. So, even though I’ve had many successes to celebrate, I’ve heard ten no’s for every yes. Over time, the no’s don’t feel as devastating, because the yesses are all that matter at the end of the day.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Denver-based songwriter, music teacher, and aspiring fiction author. I’m also a member of the band The Deborah Solo Trio. We have a new album coming out this February, called 1 a.m. Parade. We’re inspired by a whole range of artists, including Lizzy McAlpine, Stephen Sanchez, King Princess, boygenius, and Beck.

We write each song together from start to finish, and, for this album, we’ve been digging deep into themes of identity, censorship, and the labor of love.

If readers happen to be local to Denver, they can check out our album release show at Swallow Hill Music on Feb 10, 2024. If readers aren’t near Denver, I hope they’ll look up The Deborah Solo Trio on their favorite streaming platforms.

 

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience is the most important trait to have as a creator. I think you have to promise yourself that you won’t give up and stick to it. If anyone tells you that you’re not good enough, ignore them. Only you can decide if you’re good enough.

Curiosity is so important, too. I’m constantly seeking out new info about my art through podcasts, discussions, and other educational opportunities. I’m always striving to improve as a musician, writer, and storyteller. If you stay curious, you’ll always be improving and absorbing tons of inspiration from what you learn.

Lastly, enthusiasm for teamwork is great. My willingness to collaborate has helped me so much in all my creative pursuits. My advice is, don’t try to do everything alone. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and make you better at your craft. Without my amazing, talented bandmates and critique partners, it’d be hard to keep improving, keep learning, and keep trying.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Yes, I’d like to give my bandmates a shoutout. Chad “Chadzilla” Johnson and Kari Clifton. They are like family to me, and because they have poured their whole hearts into our music right alongside me, I’m constantly inspired to give more than my best at all times. It’s easy to be resilient when you’re on a team of resilient people.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Kathleen Bracken Photography & Russell Magerfleisch

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