Savouring the sweet moments of our journey to Soleggen Fjellstue in Jotunheimen this fall.. Organic Structure / Peter Power invited to an intimate music production retreat grounded in the wild beauty of the mountain. The retreat was co-created by a collective of artists and wanderers 〜 all with a dedication to the natural and authentic expression of ‘coming home’. Coming home - to the womb, to nature, to ourselves, to each other.
Using a wide range of embodiment and awakening tools such as meditation, breath, yoga, art, astrology, nature immersions, forest therapy and nourishing food, the retreat was the first of its kind. The intention was for the participants to broaden our understanding of music production and integration with live recording and experience in the organic-electronic realm. A deep dive in the microcosms of the mountain realm, harvesting energy from the brilliant sun and sowing seeds of creativity together.
The autumn palette made the hills and valleys glow like a earthen rainbow and I was again reminded of ‘Bifrost’, the burning rainbow bridge of norse mythology that reaches between Midgard (Earth) and Asgard, the realm of the Gods. Oh, Mother Nature.. You never seize to amaze me.. Thank you for mirroring your colours into my being so that I may walk into winter in wholeness and enter the inner chambers of your Mystery School..
For me, this became a journey of remembrance, tuning into the ancient technology of my body and it’s ability to listen from the very core of my cells. A lesson in weaving the organic and electronic realms so that the messages of mountain can be amplified and reach ever greater horizons. I travelled back to the sensations of countless childhoods spent between the wild mountainous landscapes and biology of Norway and received floods of wisdom from the deep core of the mountain and her ecology.
Thank you Synne and Julius for bringing us all together and holding space for this journey to unfold! Follow Organic Structure or Norwegian Sage for information about coming events and ripples and sparks coming out of this retreat..
Contributors
Peter Power - Organic / Electronic Ambience
Peter has been exploring the realms of electronic music production for over 15 years now. In 2008 upon receiving his bachelor's degree in Music Technology and Philosophy at the University of Maynooth in Ireland, he made his way to Berlin soon establishing two nightclubs with a family of friends. After a wholesome 5 years and the jungle in his sights, he continued his journey to Brazil, embracing a playful universe of musical instrumentation. Since 2017 he has been working on a music & reforestation community project at the foothills of a national park in Bahia. His experiences in such a beautiful and fragile eco-system served as the catalyst for his latest endeavour; Symbiosfera; An online platform expanding the symbiotic link between music and environment.
Peter’s immense love of music ripples far and wide, slowly travelling through all 5 continents to DJ and perform live. Over the years his productions however diverse are all intrinsically immersed in a growing sensitivity of ambience. Cultivating a deep awareness with his surroundings is at the heart of his process, finding perpetual inspiration in the delicate forces of nature.. To hear music in all sounds and all life as a playful dance of the elements. Exploring the massaging qualities of sound and vibration, to create space for silence …and walk the middle way home. Listen.
Synne Sofie - Voice / Folk Music
Synne Sofie is an ecologist with a degree in restoration ecology, and also graduated as an outdoor education teacher. She is a true explorer and activist who enjoys the open sea, wild mountains and horseback. She works with animal- and nature therapy for youth, with a vision to spread the tools needed for living in a deeper dialogue with nature, where psychological, emotional and ecological sustainability work in symbiosis. Also a talented folk musician she is engaged in the project Organic Structure with her partner - a deep ecology experiment where honey- and music production are woven together in an intention of bringing people in close contact with themselves, each other and the earth. Synne is retreat coordinator, and will be teaching Norwegian folk music, and tend the fire.
Julius Maske - Local Guide
Julius is our local guide. He is like sweet potato, can be used for everything. Julius will be cooking for us, since he knows the best farms in the area, it will be bio-dynamic, it will be local and short travelled. He will try his best to catch some fresh fish, and pick herbs from the island. As a guide, he will present us the island, and the history that goes back to the times when vikings roamed the island. He will bring his homemade moose drum, and keep the fire going when the night comes crawling. It’s also possible to borrow his MIDI-sprout, which is Julius’s instrument of choice.
Luana Schwengber - Body Movement
Luana will be guiding our morning practices, waking and shaking up the body and mind. Igniting the flames of self-expression and rippling waves of relaxation. Recycling and streamlining our Chi, nurturing empowerment through the integration of opposites, blossoming from the roots to the sky and back again. We shall be exploring with music a fusion of different practices including; Tai Chi, Yoga, QiGong & Dance.
Luana is also a founding member of Symbiosfera - and as a musician always seeking through her artistic expression to find a gentle harmony with the natural elements.
Caroline Hargreaves - EcoTherapy
Caroline Hargreaves will be our forest therapy guide on the mountain. Caroline is an interdisciplinary artist, ecosopher and political scientist. After working as a diplomat in Nepal, she felt a deep calling to return to the Norwegian nature to ‘rise rooted’. She now works as a holistic natural therapist. She is passionate about restoring ecological balance through authentic guardianship of our inner and outer nature and allowing space for the inner child to dance between the healthy feminine and masculine essence.