About Us

I recently had an experience singing with a group of women at a festival. Although the experience on stage was nothing short of magic, it was the rehearsal beforehand, at the campsite that changed me forever.

I was invited to this group last minute and as I sat on the ground and joined the circle of women, each of us taking our turn to sing our part and then our voices uniting in a chorus that grounded me into the earth, I knew this was far beyond a bunch of fierce women singing together. . . this was a moment that would change my view and purpose of singing forever.

We finished our song and started sharing our stories with one another. The range of experience was healthy, but all our experiences seemed to be in alignment with one another. Stories of often being the only female in the room during performances. Sharing the varied comments that had been shot at us, that we brushed off and even ignored. It was the first time I heard experiences that could have easily been mine. It was wonderful and awful all at the same time.

After our stage performance, my mind was in full inspiration mode. How could we do this more often. How could we move forward and grow the movement of incredible female singers in a nurturing, creative way. I reached out to Nicole who had started the group and explained to her what was going on in my heart since the performance. I asked her if she thought this could be a more regular thing. We both have bands of our own, families, jobs. . . could this even work?

As we chatted and grew our foundation for what we wanted to see happen singing together, I co hosted a retreat with an artist friend of mine at her barn gallery. The experience was so powerful and as the guests left and we were settling back down to earth, I told her about my idea to host a female artist experience. I thought I was crazy, but she just looked at me and said; “why not?”. She created a logo right in the moment and it was then, “Women folk” was born.

I contacted Nicole the very next day and asked her if she thought this might be something she would want to create together. I don’t believe I even finished explaining before there was a YES. The team of women quickly fell into place, as well as a venue and shortly after, a sound company was on board to make the dream become a reality.

The moment a performer arrives to Women folk, we want the nurturing experience to begin for them. It may be the perfect herbal tea with local honey that soothes their throat in preparation for sharing their soul on the stage, or a quiet moment in the Zen Tent. It could be the privacy of having an actual dedicated space to dress for the stage, a hug from a volunteer, a 5-minute chair massage, a warm cup of soup, whatever the need for the performer is before they walk onto that stage, we hope to create the space for them to have it. Our belief is if the backstage experience gives them a calm, when they step on the stage they will share that calm, the audience will receive the energy and send it right back. We want to give everyone the opportunity to be immersed in the music and leave inspired by their experiences.

Music is a human experience and is completely unique to everyone involved. The lyrics can lend themselves to many interpretations, each note played can form an emotional seed inside, the singer can be feeling complete joy while someone else can be brought to tears. There is no doubt music is a healer. The way a rhythm can make your body move allows you a freedom like no other. We want to celebrate the women musicians who know their purpose is to heal with their gifts of music. We hope you will join us for the journey.

See you soon,
Ericka

A Message from Nicole and Ericka