Julie Harris (MLP 2014 Grad) came to MfP through a convergence of a Clint Goss (MLP Grad) Native American flute workshop and a Glen Velez concert. At the Glen Velez concert, she met Julie Weber, one of our much-loved MLP Coordinators, who convinced her to come to an MfP workshop at Stony Point, where she joined the program.
The convergence? A year or two earlier, she’d been at that Clint Goss workshop, had the best time—but didn’t know he was using the MfP approach. She laughed and came out of her ‘shy’ self. She put the two together when she saw Clint on stage at the Glen Velez concert. #mfpiseverywhere
And why did she join the MLP?
After watching David Darling screaming Hallelujah and everyone performing in ways I never thought possible, it seemed like so much fun. Also I wanted to grow musically and personally.
1. What originally drew you to the Collab Lab?
It was during COVID and I heard some great projects that Todd, Alina and others had recorded remotely. When the invitation came, I thought it would be a good chance to branch out of solo recording at home and be musically active with others during COVID.
2. How did the first one feel?
I was nervous and excited at the same time. Initially, without Soundtrap, the recording process was quite cumbersome. We had to use our own recording devices/DAW, save the files, download them, and then upload each track to Google Drive.
However, once Soundtrap was introduced, it significantly simplified and enhanced the collaboration and recording experience, making it so much more enjoyable. It opened up so many possibilities.
To me, it felt more like I was at an MFP group improv session – especially when 3 or 4 people are in a project at the same time and we start adding comments in the chat section!??
3. How did you start out contributing?
I started out recording a simple rhythm on one drum (italics added) and as I got more confident, I added recordings with shakers and eventually added the Native American style flute. As time passed, I added more instruments.
In the beginning, I found it easier to create foundation tracks and invite others to participate, often using a simple drum beat or ostinato.
As I received more invitations to collaborate, I gained experience adding to other tracks. I never turned down an invitation and always contributed something – even if one melodic phrase or sound.
?4. What was the training like with Alina and Todd? How did that help?
The Zoom training sessions with Alina and Todd were excellent and they dedicated a lot of time to teaching us. Even those who were less comfortable with technology were able to record.
Alina and Todd frequently offered breakout room sessions for new and inexperienced collaborators. We learned to add tracks, loops, use simple effects, and for the more advanced, there were sessions on more complex techniques like visual EQ, compression, etc.
We also had sessions to discuss new ideas for creating and inspiration, ie songwriting, spoken word. It really wasn’t about obtaining perfection but about enjoying the process and making and recording music with no pressure.
5. What have been some of your favourite experiences with Collab Lab?
There are so many!!
- I love when someone puts a simple foundation down and after 4 or 5 people add, the final result morphs into something so beautiful. It is always a pleasant surprise to hear the final project.
- I also love when we just act silly, and I recall one foundation that I created using a spooky foundation track and I invited a group of people to participate. You wouldn’t believe how quickly the tracks came in with spooky voices, eerie sounds and it was just fantastic. It was good enough for a soundtrack for a horror movie.
We had so much fun returning to child. We have also experimented with kitchen utensils and other unusual sounds. - What a great feeling it was to get an email that one of the pieces I collaborated on was selected for the MusicforPeople Collective Playlist on various streaming platforms.
- My favorite experience is being with the Collab Lab community. There is a core group that keeps growing and even though the lab meets 2 to 3 times a year, this group continues weekly collaborations. There isn’t a week that goes by that we don’t collaborate.
One heartwarming experience was at AOI 2024. Alina set up a workshop for all the Collab Lab participants that were attending and when I arrived, it was such a surprise to be greeted my Collab Lab friends in person, it was like a homecoming. We hugged, jammed and socialized. It was great.
6. Is it addictive?
(LOL)? Absolutely. I would feel lost without the Collab Lab
7. What are some of the new skills you’ve learned?
I have sharpened my listening skills. I’ve also become more experienced with multitrack recording, especially using Soundtrap’s synthesizer sounds and drums.
Thanks to the Collab Lab, I’ve been able to practice and perfect many MFP techniques during recording sessions.
Even more exciting, I’ve branched out into various music genres. I used to focus solely on “world music” with Native American flutes and drums, but now I’m comfortable collaborating with musicians who play the violin, piano, cello, and guitar—something I never thought I’d be able to do easily.
On top of that, I’ve managed to get over the challenge of using my voice in Soundtrap and now I find it easier to use my voice and experiment with it. This has been a huge milestone for me.
Plus, watching my fellow collaborators grow musically over the years has been so inspiring.??
8. When new people come to the Lab, how are they brought in/ welcomed/integrated?
Todd and Alina offer comprehensive support for new members.
Before our first meeting, they get an email packed with instructions and video tutorials to help them get started.
During our Zoom sessions, they provide training breakout sessions to make sure everyone gets the support needed.
When a new member joins a group, we’re all here to help out. Todd and Alina often share a recent project to inspire and show what’s possible.
New members are assigned to a group of 5-6 participants and breakout sessions are assigned for getting to know group members and there are separate ones for interacting with others outside your group. This really helps with introductions and sparks engaging discussions and ideas.
Additionally, experienced collaborators were always available to assist. I personally spent time on Zoom and over the phone helping new collaborators get up to speed.
9. What equipment do people need?
A basic setup for a new person is easy! Use your computer’s internal input and output and record on Soundtrap!
You can even record directly from iPad or iPhone. Many collaborators have recorded away from home using this method.
Next level I feel should be a USB microphone. I use a Yeti USB. The next level after that – especially with electric guitars is an audio interface where you can connect a cable from guitar to interface.
If I don’t record directly into Soundtrap, I record in DAW (Logic Pro or Garage Band) and import into Soundtrap. Bottom line, though, no extra equipment is needed to get started.
10. What keeps you coming back?
Music making, inspiration, experience, fun, growth??
11. What is Collab Lab in your own words?
A safe place to record, collaborate, gain experience, get inspiration and make music with others with no judgement.
Listen to Tracks that Julie has contributed to on the Music for People Collective channels on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube (Music for People Collective) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH4b21SD6lHHn0i0Lek7_Mw
Introspection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnmHGlsysP0
Percussion Salad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMZiiFRYp0
You Didn’t Say A Word https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bko4GmQdEEI
New Horizon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNxF8TynBpM
Sway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7GMScPeLIU
A La Glass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPDnkVEtcvY
The Beat and the Silence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQK9qVnAsRU
And stay tuned… Julie is on these two tracks, which will be uploaded this year.
- Tortuga Abakula
- Flute Space
NOTE: The Collab Lab online workshop is offered three times a year. Many participants then continue recording throughout the year. Sign up for the Music for People newsletter to find out about upcoming workshops.