HOW 'WILDFLOWER' WAS BORN
When Yachay first heard the news that a six year old named Emily Kent died while trying to rescue a turtle from traffic, they were immediately struck with the story. There was the obvious loss for the family and for those who loved her...a hole in the world left with Emily's passing that can't be replaced by anything physical. Nothing can possibly be written to express what her family has had to face in terms of the sheer loss. Blessings to all who knew her.
And still, there was something else.... Yachay were also moved by another powerful side of it - livingness. That is, the beauty of what a young heart brought to this world with her gift of being. Innocence...doing what's 'right' with heart no matter what...taking a stand for what's still wild on this sweet planet...not understanding the insanity of traffic and the maddening pace of 'civilization' to get to somewhere else...living life like the perfect eternal moment it is...the power of the child to still cut through to what's really important in this existence.... There were many, many rich elements to it, all somehow woven together, with no way to talk about one without all the others being present. Yachay were left not only with the emptiness of a seemingly isolated act in a reality where nothing is truly an isolated act, but with the fullness of quality and passion that Emily had to show the world.
And they couldn't shake it.
There had to be a song. Not that there was a song to be found in the event, but there had to be a song for the passion of a young heart who cared. To thank Emily, for showing to the world that eternity stands by what is real. Maybe, just maybe, to let her continue to touch other people who've faced loss, including the families of both members of Yachay.
Friday night, a phone call to Dennis, to see about donated recording time for a song...the sonic vehicle massively busy with tour rehearsals and promotional work...no telling what Dennis is up to...and not really wanting to know.
"I'll do it."
"I haven't even told you about it, yet. Come on...it's unnerving when you agree that quickly."
"Doesn't matter, if you guys are passionate about it, I'll do it. I have space on Monday."
"Dennis, it's Friday night and we don't even have a song yet. Not a lick, not a word, not a whisper."
"I have space on Monday night."
"Great. We'll be there."
A couple sleepless nights, writing and unwriting the song five times, driving to the studio and still rewriting the amount of measures, taking out a verse, changing the chorus. Playing it over a handful of hours, not having even really performed it together yet.
A kaleidoscope of the un-relatable...surviving the Buddy School of Fanged Pacifism for wolves in training, downed fences in howling wind storms, Dennis's fruit smoothies, Dolly (what is that thing, really?), wrangling with the Bad Dog. Weathering comments from an all too cheerful Reverend: "You guys ever been in a recording studio before?" Somehow it came together. Quickly, so quickly. Two takes here, one take there.... Dennis's heart in getting the mix down, production, in a ridiculously short time. Somehow, just lightning bolt quick, Wildflower was born.
Enter Joy, who gets in touch with Donna - and hundreds of other people - and the song is up and rolling for The Emily Kent Fund.
Lonely Records in another display of amazing generosity, donated the first 100 professional duplications of the song. They were quick, quality, and openly communicative with their response. Lonely Records is truly a story of the little company that could.
The members of Yachay, as well as all the kind hearts who have helped with this project, send their blessings to the Kent family, and their thanks to the spirit of Emily. The Emily Kent Fund helps the family cope with expenses and is much needed.
Any and all support and publicity of Wildflower is deeply appreciated, from word of mouth, to media, to airplay (Wildflower is a true crossover song and easily fits into a variety of formats, from alternative to rock to adult contemporary), to distribution, to record industry assistance, to retail outlets. It is a way to give back openly to what was given. Thank you.
Here's to sincerely hoping that you enjoy the song and feel the touch of a child gone free.
YACHAY ARE GRATEFUL TO-
Worker Bee Studios - For the time, space, and tape given to make the song happen.
Dennis Gilman - For your amazing, stubborn heart and raw talent. Dennis produced Wildflower in the midst of a massive amount of other work and showed absolute dedication to getting the song complete in the shortest amount of time and sleep possible. wbee73@cox.net
Lonely Records - A quality CD duplication company who immediately said 'Yes!' to donating copies of Wildflower. www.lonelyrecords.com
Joy - Yachay's beacon of light. Joy is part of a huge support group for grieving parents, and often does volunteer speaking for The Blood and Tissue Bank. She is a dazzling promotional agent of the heart, and has been responsible for countless contacts and outlets for Wildflower. Yachay practice an open policy of 'Saying 'Yes!' to Joy.' No matter what, always. joy99@ev1.net
Donna Theisen - For starting The Emily Kent Fund, and working to provide initial contacts for the song.
Radio Orbit - For immediate promotion of Wildflower, and interviewing Yachay on the faith of the project and the sonic vehicle, song unheard. www.radiorbit.com
Daniela - For giving space and understanding to what needed to happen in order to make the song happen.
The Muze and Lawrence - For freeing funds to allow this project to germinate. www.1soulone.com
Loco Gnosis Productions - For providing much needed funding for Sweet Mother Mercy radio promotion to 400 stations to allow breathing room for Wildflower to happen. www.locognosis.com
Sumaq Sonqoy.
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