2023 Songwriting Reel – Songwriting Is Magic Retreat

October 3–6, 2023 · Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, New York

This reel is a scrapbook of moments from the inaugural Songwriting Is Magic Retreat in the Catskills, hosted by Rhett Miller alongside Black Francis, Rachel Yamagata, Dave Hill, and Michael Casey. Footage was captured by me, other attendees, the hosts, and the collective—a dreamy, patchwork collage synced (fittingly) to I’ve Had the Time of My Life, because I was very much riding a real Dirty Dancing vibe.

I didn’t take a ton of photos or videos at the time, and in truth, none of it really captures how the weekend felt. But this reel is what I have. A memory capsule of something ineffable: the kind of magic you can only stumble into by being around people who remind you why you ever wanted to write songs in the first place.

My only real regret is not getting up for the open mic. I kept psyching myself up, but always chickened out. I’ve always had that one friend to give me the extra nudge—and without them, I slipped back into wallflower mode. Hopefully, next time, I’ll be braver.