Meet Wendy Colonna | Musician, Mojo Maker, Creative Coach

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

Hi Wendy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Creating and performing music made me feel alive, connected and a part of something larger than myself. As a child, I was always singing or writing or creating something and creative expression was where I felt joy. I was a lonely, awkward kid and music was where I went to feel my feelings in a safe place. Listening to my parents records (Simon & Garfunkel, Melanie, Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Chapin etc) helped to soothe my loneliness and feel like I was a part of a bigger story, the human story. The honesty of the lyrics coupled with the transcendent experience of the melodies and harmonies made me feel at home in a world where I felt like a stranger most of the time. It was inevitable that I become a part of that river of music in some way in my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My music is unconventional in terms of genre. I’m inspired by so many different styles of music and artists that I can’t help but play in lots of creative containers, which makes my music hard to describe in a sentence or two. The one thread that binds my work together is that it’s all about soul. I love creating music that helps people to feel like they belong, no matter how complex their feelings or isolated they feel from others. I want my songs to be a place where people go to feel seen and loved, no matter how messy they feel.

The music business is a crazy roller coaster that makes no financial sense most of the time, but I’ve always believed that art heals and transforms us and is always worth it. None of it has been easy. People who work and live in conventional business models have a really hard time understanding why artists persist in business with the insane ups and downs. It’s challenging and takes a faith in a future we cannot see. There’s a ripple effect that happens when people are transformed by art and I believe thats what keeps us in the game. We catch glimpses of the best aspects of humanity and how music and art play a vital role in keeping that precious energy alive.

I’m committed to bringing this magic to everyone. Whether they are in an audience at a live show, listening to my music, or one of my coaching clients, I’m here to help them release the bullshit that’s keeping them small and to feel seen, uplifted, connected and possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A perfect way to start the day in Central Texas with visitors is to take them out for breakfast tacos. Yum!
I love living in Central Texas, mostly because of the music and the spring-fed waters from the Edwards Aquifer. I grew up in Louisiana where a lot of the fresh waters are bathroom temps, muddy, and contaminated with toxic waste, so when I first had the experience of swimming in the clear, cool waters here I knew I was in a very sacred and special place.

After breakfast tacos, I love to take friends swimming! Barton Springs Pool I was my regular watering hole when I lived in Austin and now I’m in San Marcos which has a pristine spring-fed river and beautiful native grasses and animals living in it. It’s a blast grabbing some friends, a blanket, book, yoga mat or hula hoop and just planting your feet in the grass near the water, getting all warmed up and being baptized by the fresh, mineral goodness of these waters.

Central Texas is on a couple of fault lines, and hiking the trails here is always really fun. I love taking folks to all the beautiful trails and green-spaces that showcase the area’s unique geology and ecology.

Of course, no visit to Central Texas is complete without a taste of Tex Mex. And we have LOTS of great restaurants, microbreweries and coffeeshops with cool hangs. I love taking my friends with kids to Cosmic Cafe or Meanwhile Brewing to soak in an afternoon hang suited for all ages. When in San Marcos, I love taking folks to North Street which has a fun patio, yummy drinks and a Tex-Mex meets Indian cuisine or Palmers which has an enchanting patio and cajun inspired bites.

At night, it’s music time! There is a guaranteed good time at the Saxon Pub, the Continental Club, C Boys, Sagebrush and more. Our community is always playing and the live music here is so special!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gosh, this is a hard one to answer, mostly because the list is so long. I’m grateful to Laura Cox for seeing my raw talents and love of music and plugging me into a record deal and community who appreciated the music. I’m grateful to Hannah Slaven and Anna Monlezun for being my first serious collaborators, exploring the many facets of harmony, songwriting and becoming artists together. I’m grateful to TP Records for taking a chance on us and launching my first of nine album.

When I moved to Austin in 2000, the music community welcomed me with open arms. I’m so grateful to Guy Forsyth for believing in me, including me in his shows and tours and introducing me to so many of my now lifelong friendships in this incredible music city. Trevor Hance took a chance managing me when I was just starting on the scene. Nikki Rowling showed me the ropes of business and marketing and helped me to get my feet firmly rooted and showed me what is possible when you are supported by a business mentor who believes in you.

Over the years, I’ve been mentored and coached by incredible people, helping me to grow as an artist and to become a coach and mentor for others who are led by their souls to grow impactful businesses in the world. I’m so thankful to Suzanne Koga, Shari Wynn, Robin and Jim Tilly, Alicia Marie, Mark McRae, Monica Parades, Kim Carpenter, Erin Ivey, Thea Wood, Charlie Faye and Suzanne Castle for believing in me and pushing me to grow, serve with my gifts.

I’m grateful for all the creative collaborators I’ve known over the years – producers like Stephen Doster, Papa Mali, Mark Addison for helping me to refine my voice and sound. In recent years, I’ve been honored to produce alongside some of my most cherished peers, Noelle Hampton, Andre Moran, Dave Madden, Ginger Leigh, Katie Marie and more.

My close circle of friends and dedicated fans are to thank for my resiliency and reminding me to keep going when I feel exhausted or defeated by life’s inevitable challenges.

I’m most grateful for the unconditional love, encouragement and collaborative magic I get to share with my husband, Ryan. He’s always got my back in every way- as a partner, co-parent and a business partner. My mother taught me how to love and serve others unconditionally. My son, Charlie is a constant inspiration to stay present and playful and go all in with love.

Website: http://www.wendycolonna.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/wendycolonna

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/wendycolonna

Facebook: http://facebook.com/wendycolonna

Youtube: http://youtube.com/wendycolonna

Image Credits
Monica Parades, Ryan Doty, Jeff Arnold