WELCOME !
Join us for a musical journey taking place on the small island of Magerøya in the Trondheim fjord. An intimate music production retreat grounded in the wild beauty of the island. As the sole human inhabitants of the island, we shall playfully explore musical expression and nature connection with the intention of travelling back to our daily lives with freshly produced music in our suitcases. The course is open to electronic producers of all degrees of experience wishing to broaden their understanding of music production and integration with live recording, and instrumentalists looking to gain experience in the electronic realm.
The retreat shall be a balance between music production and daily exercises in nature, exploring how this grounding and nature contact influences our creativity. We believe it is of vital importance to always give something back to the land, and to leave a place more beautiful than we found it. And so we will also have the opportunity to learn a little about gardening and plant seeds for the coming season. Getting in touch with the microcosms of the island, we will harvest energy from the near solstice sun that almost never sets and sow seeds of creativity together.
Course Outline
Taught through Ableton, the course shall be a balance of philosophy and practical, hands on learning. With a focus on; collaboration with live musicians, streamlining workflow, refining creative intentions & cultivating balance and awareness with the elements and the surrounding environment. Small groups shall work together to create a piece of music with intimate guidance. Starting with a day of grounding, 7 days of modules and culminating in a sunset showcase celebration.
Course Modules
Ableton Basics
Live Recording / Field Recording
Sampling
Synthesis & Effects
Arrangement
Mixing & Mastering
Performing Live / DJ’ing with Ableton
Daily Activities
Yoga & Tai Chi
Forest Bathing
Camp fire Jam Sessions
Gardening
Singing Circles
Sunset Dance
Sauna
TEAM
Peter Power - Music Production Guide
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.
Synne Sofie - Voice / Folk Music Guide
Synne Sofie is an ecologist with a degree in restoration ecology, and will at the retreat also be 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 sauna fire.
Julius Maske - Local Guide
Julius is our local guide. This will be his fifth summer on the Island, where he first came to create the Drivhus festival. 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.
Caroline Hargreaves - Forest Therapy Guide
Caroline Hargreaves will be our forest therapy guide on the island. 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.
Luana Schwengber - Body Movement Guide
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.
About Magerøya
N63°26'55.3" E8°59'13.7"
Magerøya; The biggest smallest island in the world. Walk around it fast, it will take maybe one hour. Going slow, it can take forever. So many hidden worlds and microcosms on this island, flocks of sheep, eagles, owls and huge starfish in the clear waters. We will be staying at a beautiful, old house that used to be a safe haven for the fishermen when weathers were too rough to go out in their small boats. The rooms are shared, but the space is big, functioning as a guest house during the season. For those who want more privacy or even more grounding with mother earth, it will also be possible to stay in some of our big Lavvos (traditional Sami tents).
Retreat Price : €750 / €850 / €950 (sliding scale based on what is financially comfortable for each participant + required carbon offset donation if you fly )
Including: 7 day music production course, 9 days of accommodation, 3 organic meals a day & transport from the bus to the island.