Meet Heatherlyn | Singer/Songwriter, Streamer, Teacher and Healer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heatherlyn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heatherlyn, why did you pursue a creative career?
Often people will ask my how I got into music and I have to say the most succinct and true answer is that music got into me. I knew at a very early age that pretty much all I wanted to do was sing for people. My dreams were waylaid time to time but it was during what you could call a quarter life crisis when I realized I was at a crossroads and that if I went in a more conventional direction with my life I’d both regret and resent it. There came a point when I knew in the deepest way of knowing that I had to at least give music and being a singer my best shot. It was all I ever wanted to do. I had always wanted to write songs, record them, sing to people, and music is simply how I love this world to life. So, I left behind my regular paycheck job and devoted all of my life to this artistic work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Music is my medicine. It’s how I move through the world. It’s how I love, how I heal, how I challenge, teach, and inspire. My music is my contribution toward dismantling the white cisheternomative patriarchy and re-shaping our culture toward a more just, kind, equitable world – imperfectly but these are my constant, guiding intentions.

My virtual platform is where I’ve been able to develop a variety of online shows that invite people into multiple kinds of experiences and resources, and I’m so freaking excited about my online series. I love creating these shows from casual hang out shows, themed concerts, collaboration shows with other singer/songwriter, meditation music hours, my “Storydwelling” talkshow series, and my edutainment episodes that focus on a social justice issue and calls for action.

I began creating online shows since way back in 2016, long before covid-19, so I could keep in touch with friends and fan and patrons of my music across the country and around the world. I’m so proud of what we are creating, now with full color graphic overlays, HD camera and top quality sound produced by my partner, Jason Izdabest. We’ll keep creating these shows until I die or until the Internet breaks, even after venues reopen. 🙂

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Mmm, wow. This requires a bit of thought since we’ve all been sequestered in our homes for a year! 🙂 My bestie and I would adore having a week together! We would likely go to some mountain tops and collaborate on some photo shoots and music videos especially at golden hour when the sunset is upon us. I’d also love for us to eat at places like Watercourse (my favorite) and City O City. I’d love to get pedicures and enjoy whiskey flights at one of the local speakeasies like Williams and Graham. A visit to the Red Rocks Music Museum and Hall of Frame would be awesome too, along with seeing a couple LIVE shows together! I could also see us simply walking the city and stopping where we’re inspired to stop along the way. And I’d also love to check out the Sand Dunes National Park!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, I love this so much. There is an entire little world of incredible humans who’ve influenced and significantly contributed to my becoming, and I one day dream of getting them all in the same room to see and celebrate together.

I must shoutout to my Patreon community who resource my work and nourish my journey. They are the ones who have made it possible for me and my partner to produce gorgeous sounding and quality looking virtual shows on multiple online platforms. They are the ones who back us when we volunteer for events and causes that we know are meaningful contributions to vital cultural shifts and our patrons were our safety net during the coronavirus pandemic.

I’ll name three dear friends, companions on this journey, and collaborators in my work.

My bestie Amanda Cruz who was sure to be there and capture my Red Rocks performance with her gifts of photography and filmmaking.

Ben Grace who helped me understand the importance of getting a community fo support around me, toured with me, and produced both my Being Breathed EP and my Dance of the Deep EP, featuring the 9BEATS Collective.

My voice coach and teacher Mark Swessinger who is a skillful, caring, constant guide in my vocal development.

These three have sung my own soul’s song back to me when I’ve forgotten it. These three have not let me forget or forsake the gifts I have to offer the world. These three have made me a believer in me.

Like I said, there are far too many shoutouts to name, but lastly, I want to give a shoutout to my partner Jason. We’ve been life partners for nearly 18 years, and he also left his regular pay check job the same year I did. It was 2009 when America was in a recession, but he believed in my calling and was willing to take the risk with me. We hit the road in 2010 with reckless abandon, organizing house shows and backyard concerts with friends and fans all over the country. He meticulously produces all my LIVE shows and consistently creates stunning sonic scapes and curates beautiful, soulful experiences for our audiences. He is so much more than a sound engineer. He is a masterful artist, now also creating beautiful visual experiences with our online livestream series. He’s also believed in me when I’ve forgotten the gift in me. He’s been by my side through the joys and sorrows of this journey. His work is integral to my LIVE sound and there are no words to describe my depth of gratitude for him and to him.

Website: www.HeatherlynMusic.com

Instagram: @HeatherlynMusic

Twitter: @HeatherlynMusic

Facebook: Facebook.com/HeatherlynMusic

Youtube: YouTube.com/HeatherlynMusic

Other: HeatherlynMusic.bandcamp.com 9BEATS.org

Image Credits
Nick Velharticky Amanda Cruz Jason Izdabest