October Offerings

Happy shadow season everyone!

While I have not yet chosen a Halloween costume, I am now the proud owner of a decorative pumpkin. A spider has also made its home in my windowsill—a nice seasonal wink.

A bit over a week ago, I released my second single, “Horsey.” To those who have listened already, thank you so much; the love is palpable. If you haven’t yet, here is the Spotify link.

I wrote this song around the motif of the horse as it is every artist’s prerogative to dedicate at least one piece of work to this magnificent creature. Keeping in mind Joy Harjo, Patti Smith, and Mitski (“A Horse Named Cold Air” is an under-appreciated masterpiece), “Horsey” is an energetic examination of the horse as a symbol both of domestic docility and wild sovereignty. It asks us to consider the way our culture pays lip service to personal freedom while snuffing it out, both privately and publicly. If anyone in your life has encouraged you to be more assertive, only to recoil when you do, this song is for you (hello, high-masking neurodivergents and femmes). “Horsey” is also for those who have become their own captor.

My last two singles are leading to my debut EP, called Desert Brigids. Each song illuminates an aspect of the Celtic goddess-Saint of livestock, poetry, blacksmithing, fire, thresholds, and more—then situates her legacy in a Southwestern American context. To me, she represents all of the women—the ancestors, influences, mentors—who have encouraged me to come into my personal power as a human and a creator. Featuring bold references to these women, Desert Brigids lowers listeners into the dotted line between ourselves and our origins. More updates are on the way, but for now I will announce that newsletter subscribers are eligible to receive an electronic and/or printable zine containing lyrics, lore, and imagery behind the Desert Brigids EP. Simply message me that you are subscribed and interested in the zine, and I will send it to you when it is complete. Substack has a messaging feature, along with instagram where I reside @camillawort. If all goes technologically well, the EP will be released on October 25th October 31st.

While I have no performances on the calendar yet, a few are in the works. I will keep you all posted!

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Before I close out, I wanted to take a moment to sit with the reality that the genocide in Gaza began just over a year ago. This is a heavy historical moment, and I pray that each of you are finding time to grieve, gather, and strategize.

My friend, Hamed, is raising money to support the safe passage of his wife and one-year-old son from the war zone. If the Gofundme platform is troublesome, you can Venmo me @Camilla-Wickman with the message, “For Hamed,” and I will route your funds to him. And if you cannot donate at all, please consider sharing his fundraiser with people who may have the resources. Even five dollars make a difference.

Thank you for your support,

Camilla 🌌