We were lucky to catch up with Heatherlyn Music recently and have shared our conversation below.
Heatherlyn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Did I find my purpose or did my purpose find me? 😉 My sense of it is both intrinsic and extrinsic, but believe me, there have been many challenges along this journey of answering the call of music that have lead me to deeply doubting if I have purpose at all – even a reason to live. I love this question because it gets to the existential heartbeat of the everyday living of one’s purpose.
For as long as I can remember, it has brought joy to others when I sing and make music for them. Even though I’m on a life-long journey of dedication to growing my skills of the craft, I have always felt there was an inherent Gift that people seem to receive whenever they encounter it. I’m grateful for that as I have also always felt an inexplicable desire, yearning even, to sing for people. I learned to play guitar simply to accompany myself and to write songs!
“…the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” is how Frederick Buechner poetically defines vocation, another word for calling or purpose.
Even though making a living in music has been an on going challenge, I hold close to my heart every time listeners have reflected to me that they receive healing or even feel loved within the sound of my voice singing over them or into their very souls. Is that not an undeniable gift, call, and purpose?
Realizing that music can reach below the surface of our intricately layered masks of protection, how it can elevate our humanity, bring healing and joy, somatic release – as well as hold space for our griefs and gratitudes in life – gives me a sense of greater purpose in making music.
I also consider myself a poet philosopher and artist advocate or activist, following the lead and extraordinary example of humanitarian artists who’ve gone before me. I’m grateful they have followed their sense of purpose to feel and express the human condition on behalf of restorative justice and peace through it.
I yearn that my music and purposeful voice as an artist be on the side of our shared humanity, equality, and collective liberation. My work is also an honest response to oppression, as far as I’m capable as a white bodied queer, non-binary woman.
Of course, I’m dedicated to always learning, and for each and every one of us, our purpose is always developing. So, I recently went on a delegation to Palestine (West Bank and East Jerusalem) to learn more about the systemic injustice and Israeli apartheid enforced in those regions. I’m currently discerning my voice in this to elevate stories of those systemically oppressed, to combat anti-semitism, islamophobia, and to invite us all to illumination, truth, and caring for this earth, our human species, and all aspects of the world we’re creating together.
I believe we are in this together – for better or for worse – so I hope defiantly that my music will inspire, energize, and encourage us to active compassion, co-creating the better as much as possible.
I believe hope is an active state of being. Hope is understanding things might not always work out well, but there are some things very worth our love and pursuit even if the outcome is different than what we desire. Simply showing up with our whole hearts and intentional action for the common good – there is real purpose even in this.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My primary offerings include a bouquet of music projects and guiding mindfulness practices!
I’d love to share with you my weekly LIVE YouTube show I call Soul Song Saturday. It’s a unique combination of music and interweaving practices of presence. I guide the community in simple breath practices and invite you to contemplate designing your life with authenticity to yourself, with consciousness, playfulness, and deeply in love.
I sing a mix of originals and covers throughout and we practice gratitude together and remember that we are made of Love. It’s a meaningful time for people of all paths to tune in and engage on the level you desire, as much or as little makes sense for you!
My hope is that this holds space for us each week to shake off what doesn’t serve us and give ourselves permission to fully embody the intentions of our hearts for how we desire to show up to our lives. We encourage one another in the process!
It’s LIVE at Youtube.com/@LIVEwithHeatherlyn every Saturday.
You can invite others across the miles to join you in the LIVE chat and share the experience with you!
9AM Pacific, 10AM Mountain, 11AM Central, Noon Eastern, 5PM U.K., 7PM Jerusalem
My partner and I produce concerts and we’re available for hire for your special event, your house concert, backyard concert, your business wellness programs or your company party! For more information about booking, see Linktr.ee/HeatherlynMusic
I provide individual sessions for those of you interested in deepening your mindfulness practices or if would like me to write a custom mantra song in alignment with and supporting your personalized intentions! Reach out to schedule a zoom session with me! HeatherlynMusic.com/contact
I have a dynamic duo project with Marcie Smith and we’re called the River Deep Duo. As I write this, we are in the midst of a flurry of PRIDE gigs. You can find us at Instagram @riverdeepduo and on Youtube.com/@riverdeepduo
My most recent album release is called Heatherlyn Musical Apothecary, and I’d love for you to check it out wherever you stream and download your music!
Looking forward to hearing from you on my YouTube channels and in my email if our Heatherlyn Music offerings can meet a need of yours! Thank you!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Remember to remain in alignment with your inner calling and purpose, your character and integrity. Allow yourself to evolve and enjoy new curiosities! Joyfully, or at least compassionately, explore your inner multitudes and the many authentic ways you can interface with the world around you, creating meaningful avenues of both expression and livelihood.
Remember you are enough as you are and keep playing your edges to genuinely expand the parameters of your growth, wellbeing, skills and services in ways you’re enthusiastically drawn, rather than forced by the hustle of grind culture. Keep a healthy balance of rest and work. Work ethic is important, yes, and it’s also necessary to rest and play to keep your wells of inspiration full, your body fueled, your mental health, well, healthy. Pace yourself and avoid burnout.
Listen to your body. Attune to your heart and intuition. Find the devotional practices or loving disciplines of your craft that are in rhythm with your physical energy, neurology, mental health, and passions.
Listen to the advice of others you trust and respect and be sure to respect the inner voice of your heart the most. Ignore the unsolicited “advice” of those who’ve never actually been brave enough to step into your arena.
Be you. Be true. Be brave. Be wholehearted. Be love. Keep showing up.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
As a full time creative, it’s a reality that some seasons are fruitful and some feel more barren in terms of livelihood. I’m deeply grateful for my Patreon community who supports us through the ebbs and flows, especially of income. I’m always working and creating and sharing my gifts and I also don’t have the protection or provision of an organization or company to meet my needs and pay all my costs of living or of healthcare. We are we are launching a community initiative on Patreon.
We invite you to join us at the free level where you still get a lot of great content!
Or consider supporting us more actively. Our goal is to build a vibrant community of 1,000 true fans, and with your support at just $10 a month, we can create even more amazing content and experiences for you.
Here’s what you can expect as a Patreon member:
Exclusive Content: Get early access to new releases, behind-the-scenes insights, and special updates.
Community Engagement: Join a passionate group of fans, participate in discussions, and share your feedback directly with us.
Special Perks: Enjoy exclusive perks, including discounts, member-only events, and much more.
Your support means the world to us and allows us to continue creating and sharing high-quality content and experiences.
Ready to join? Click Patreon.com/heatherlynmusic to become a member of our Patreon community today!
Thank you for your support. We look forward to having you with us on this wild and amazing journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: HeatherlynMusic.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/HeatherlynMusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/HeatherlynMusic
- Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/heatherlynmusic/
- Twitter: Twitter.com/heatherlynmusic
- Youtube: Youtube.com/HeatherlynMusic
- Other: Linktr.ee/HeatherlynMusic
Image Credits
Jason Hamilton-Chronis
