Ways and Means — Samantha Rise

Songs we sing at the end of the day: Autumnal Equinox and the gifts we give ourselves.

For all that the season offers us, Autumn is also a time when the earth gives back to herself; storing up the sunlight and warmth from the longest days of the year, drawing energy back down into her roots and bulbs to overwinter; dropping excess to make rich earth under snow and frost and time. In the fall, nothing is wasted; in the fall, nothing is worth more than this day– including the moments and offerings we extend to ourselves.

Samantha RiseSeptember 24, 2021

Love in the Time of Coronavirus: a letter and a song across the distance.

Our deep trust has been rewarded, as we are reminded to revere this precious life. Happy Spring. Don’t hoard toilet paper. Read a poem. Wash your hands. Check on your neighbors. Stop for flowering trees. The light is lengthening. We can never go back.

Samantha RiseMarch 20, 2020

Letters to ourselves, ten years later: Lessons from the shortest days at the end of a decade.

Losing some of my dearest teachers, loosing myself from toxic relationships, trusting some beautiful things just don’t always work out and learning new ways of loving is my work in the new decade.

Samantha RiseAugust 23, 2019

The only way to end this project: Begin Again.

When I set out to realize this project, I knew exactly as much about making a record as any first-time artist does, which is nothing. I sent an earnest request out into the world - an ask for belief in me, for celebration, for your trust and support. To be seen, heard, believed, and invested in. Like so many messages in bottles, that love and support came back to me, in all manner of contribution.

Samantha RiseAugust 23, 2019

Acknowledge, still, soften, Bloom: what wisdom Winter's End has to offer

In order to receive the benefit of the light, we have to make ourselves available to it.

Samantha RiseMarch 20, 2019

What makes the music of Autumn's End? Also, Hades + Persephone.

There is a deep, deep trust in this time - walking into the darkness, carrying the light and warmth in the closest, smallest parts of our hearts- until we welcome back the light. I think there are a great many reasons why human beings are inherently afraid of the dark, and so eager to welcome back the light - but I’ve learned in my process of re-wilding my own life, darkness gets a bad wrap.

Samantha RiseDecember 20, 2018winter solstice, equinox, songwriter, trauma, resilience, growth, darkness, shadow work, letting go, healing, folklore, hades, persephone, demeter

How To Release A Record... or something like that.

We extend deadlines, and keep breathing, and make music and remember what it’s all for, and wonder if we’ll ever finish－until we do.

Until the songs are here, like so many messages in bottles, waiting to be set adrift. And then the question comes: When do we release them? How? Where?