Those of you who follow Proglodytes know how much I admire Ben Levin and Jessica Kion. Starting with Bent Knee, and then getting to know their solo offerings, I have continued to follow their trajectories and have loved their incredible songs and music. Whether it was Jessica Kion’s heartbreaking and vulnerable album my dad died or Ben Levin’s idiosynchratic, quirky, and touching videos, I have loved their creative output for several years now and have followed them closely. After getting to know where their heads and hearts are at, I’ve learned that the foundation of their work is a powerful set of philosophical beliefs about the purpose of art and music and the beauty of creation.
So, when I saw Ben, Jessica, and their friend/music educator/songwriting guru Nate Shaffer were doing a songwriting retreat in the woods, I read through all of the information and eventually decided to sign up, despite some apprehension regarding my abilities and confidence level.
Wait! Songwriting Retreat In the Woods?
Yes! Songs in the Woods would be a brand-new songwriting retreat in an absolutely stunning natural setting in New Hampshire (Sacred Nectar Sanctuary– one of the highest rated camping spots in the US). It is currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 16th to Sunday, June 21st, 2026. The facilitators (Nate, Ben, and Jessica are confirmed, but there will likely be more guests and counselors) will be working with the camp participants on refining their music writing processes and removing roadblocks. There will be amazing food (provided by The Nourishment Mama- 3 beautiful vegetarian meals every day), group jams, recording sessions, and even a public-facing concert at the end. And lots more!
I thought maybe walking some of you through my decision making process might help encourage you to take the plunge as well!
What I Am Hoping To Gain From This Camp
I am a musician myself, and I have struggled in the past with getting stuck on songs, maintaining creative momentum, and being confident that my music is worth sharing. I tend to work best when I apply external constraints and pressure on myself, while attempting to create the conditions where creation/inspiration is easier. The concept for this retreat can be summed up in this profile from their website:
“We learn by doing. Instead of working hard just to make one song, we work quickly, making lots of songs, and learning along the way. Just as trees make tons of acorns, and only some become oak trees, we realize our potential as songwriters by churning out lots of material and seeing what sticks after the fact.
Writing lots of music changes you. It’s an act of confronting yourself, challenging the boundaries of who you think you are, and playing with what comes out of you. We don’t write “because we have something to say”; we write because we fell in love with the process of discovering what comes out as we write it. Our finest work happens when we let go of what we think our work is supposed to be.”
I thought that, though I can sometimes create the conditions in my home, removing myself from my current context and learning some skills on eliminating roadblocks would assist me in doing the same thing in my own creative practice. I want to learn how to not get so precious with one song that I end up ruminating on what to do with it for 5 years and so on. I am confident after watching the video on the facilitator’s songwriting philosophies that I will learn these tools there, and I will be able to not be distracted by the tumult of life while I’m in such a beautiful, scenic spot.
My Apprehensions About Signing Up
My Musical Skills/Abilities
I think, reading through, my biggest reservation for the camp itself was the fact that I am not a professional-level guitarist or pianist. I studied voice in college on a scholarship, and have drummed and sang in local acts since I was a teenager. I am a skilled sidekick! But, I have refined my skills of tuning into other people’s visions, and haven’t spent as much time working towards mine, on instruments that are more well known for songwriting. I also play drums well enough to be sought out for local projects, but would consider myself a decent pianist and a very OK guitarist. I think the most likely scenario for a songwriting camp would be that I’d be writing on guitar, due to its portability, and I definitely imagined I’d be surrounded by a bunch of Eddie Van Halens and Yngwie Malmsteens that would shred in my face to the point that I would go back to being just the drummer and backup singer.
This thought pattern is directly addressed on the website:
“Regardless of your experience level, you’ll have a place here. Whether you’re a beginner or a full-time professional musician, new possibilities will emerge from being immersed in this dedicated creative environment. All musicians benefit from writing quickly and imperfectly, finding the beauty in the work of others, and spending time playing music with other people.
Our only requirement is that participants arrive able to play at least two chords on a chordal instrument and have a strong desire to write and sing songs.”
Cost! Musical Retreat, in This Economy?
The event itself is $1050, which might feel prohibitively expensive to some these days. I definitely don’t have a lot of expendable cash these days, so I get it. But, I reasoned that that price includes 6 days in a nature retreat, an intensive setting with brilliant facilitators and counselors and musicians (2 of whom I know personally and they have my full confidence), and the potential to solve my persistent existential crisis of having an artist’s heart and mind, but also limited time/skills/confidence to bring to life the symphonies (or little ditties) that play in my mind.
(I should also mention that, despite writing this piece which likely reads as if it were an advertisement, I am not getting comped or paid to attend- I am trying to support and preemptively foster what I see to be a really powerful experience for myself, and hopefully the other attendees).
Did someone say something about a sauna?
Yes. Apparently, there will be a sauna.
So, I hope that sharing my decision process might help you decide to do this event despite time and logistics and cost. And I sincerely hope to see you there! I’ll leave you all with some zen from their webpage:
“Everyone’s art leads them down a different path, which emerges only as you make your work.
We’re not going to give you rigid formulas to follow; we’re here to support you on the journey of writing the songs only you would write.
This gathering allows us to glimpse who we haven’t yet let ourselves be.
Forging new relationships and songs in a new place will induce quantum leaps — not into becoming a certain type of musician— but to becoming intimate with what expression is unique to you.”
Please look around their website for specific details such as what you’d need to bring, how to register, whether food or instruments will be provided, etc. I hope to see you there.
Proglodytes 