Episode 16: The Melody of Resilience: Music, Interest, and Healing with Heather Maloney
In this episode of "Investment of Self," Kathy engages in a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation with musician Heather Maloney. The discussion explores the power of music as a source of comfort and inspiration, and its role in navigating life's challenges. As they delve into the nature of interest and its connection to creativity, they share personal stories of resilience and inner growth. From the transformative impact of positive psychology to the vulnerability and resonance of music, this episode offers a deep dive into the human experience.
In this episode, Kathy and Heather discuss:
The Power of Music
Resonance and Vulnerability in Music
Meaningful Connections Through Music
Humorous Reflection and Artistic Inspiration
Humorous Reflection and Artistic Inspiration
Timestamps
[00:00] Grateful for music connecting us during COVID.
[04:56] Teaching to embrace and savor one's interests.
[07:28] Choosing to perpetuate empowering stories and emotions.
[12:26] Silent retreat led to meaningful songwriting journey.
[14:33] Deeply connected to your words, emotional experience.
[19:08] Struggle in meditation is actually essential growth.
[23:14] Music is a deep, constant companion for me.
[27:35] Fascinating discussion about the resonance of research.
[32:31] Struggling, learning and growing during the pandemic.
[35:27] Normalizing vulnerability and feelings in a supportive space.
[37:08] Connecting through music creates powerful intimacy and connection.
[42:10] Persistence in the music industry yields gratitude.
[47:56] Amusing question about impact in pill form.
[49:13] Reflecting on the question of essence humorously.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Kathy’s Course “Learn to Live Positively”
If Heather was crushed up and put into pill form, what effect would she want to have on someone?
To be a reminder that you're not weird and that it's okay to be thinking or feeling the thing that you're thinking or feeling.
More About Heather Maloney
Follow @heathermaloney_ on Instagram
After over 1,000 live shows and more than a decade of touring behind studio albums, Heather Maloney is set to release her first live album, “No Shortcuts | Live at the Academy” in June of 2022 on the celebrated indie label, Signature Sounds.
The Massachusetts-based “writer song-singer” found music in the midst of three years at a meditation center, honing a sound moored in days of silent reflection and reverence for storytellers like Joni, Rilke, Ken Burns, and the anonymous authors of Zen parables. And while she eventually traded the quiet, structured life as a yogi for the kinetic life a touring musician, the core of her songwriting remains centered around same curiosity about our inner world and the desire to articulate it through storytelling. She now has eight studio album releases under her belt, each one marked by inspiring collaborations with musicians, songwriters and producers.
On Heather’s 2019 album, Soil In The Sky, her “ability to channel emotion is radical” (PopMatters) and the tracks are stacked with special guests who help her deliver an immense range of sound and sentiment in 12 songs; there’s a duet with Dawes front-man Taylor Goldsmith on the Walt Whitman-inspired love song “We Were Together”, an appearance by Rachael Price on the album’s opening track “Enigma”, and Jay Ungar lends his legendary folk fiddle to “Oklahoma Lullaby”, a song inspired by Ken Burns’ documentary The Dustbowl. (Ungar composed Ashokan Farewell in Burns’ The Civil War). The all-star band includes drummer Griffin Goldsmith (Dawes), and multiple members of the Amos Lee band.
The Bluegrass Situation called her 2015 release, Making Me Break (produced by Band of Horses’ Bill Reynolds) “an intoxicating blend that captures the sonic texture of indie rock, the humanity of folk and the spirituality of a Rumi poem.”
In 2014 she released “Woodstock”, her collaborative effort with Boston quartet Darlingside, which drew praise from the New York Times and Graham Nash.
Heather’s songs have played on NPR stations across the country and her live appearances have aired on syndicated programming like eTown and AudioTree. Her song “Nightstand Drawer” was used in the season finale of the CBS TV series "Elementary", and her songs have also been featured on a number of editorial Spotify playlists & Starbucks’ in-store nationwide playlists.
As well as a songwriter and performer, Heather is an illustrator and linocut artist who carves and prints visual representations of her songs on a variety of mediums. She considers the integration music and art to be an inspiring new chapter as a creative, and while most of her growing catalog is reserved for her Patreon community, she periodically releases limited-edition prints to accompany albums and singles.
Heather has toured throughout the US & Canada as a headliner and also in support of acts including Lake Street Dive, Shakey Graves, Gary Clark Jr., Rodrigo y Gabriela, Colin Hay (Men at Work), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams and many more.
Connect with Kathy Washburn
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