Collaboration Beyond Songwriting: A Journey with Francesca de Valence and Emma Bosworth
Based on the Podcast Episode: “Collaboration Beyond Songwriting: A Journey with Francesca de Valence and Emma Bosworth” – Episode 56, The Magic of Songwriting with Francesca de Valence
Collaboration in the musical realm often focuses on the process of writing a song together. But as Francesca de Valence and Emma Bosworth shared during the recent co-production of their songwriting retreat, collaboration can extend far beyond just crafting songs – it can foster professional partnerships, exchange a diversity of skill sets, and create innovative growth opportunities for both people and their communities.
Read on for a summary of the conversation, or listen to the podcast audio for the full frequency experience.
Finding Common Ground
As with any partnership and collaboration, it’s about finding common ground first. For Emma and Francesca, it was through creativity, community and nature.
Emma Bosworth is a songwriter and artist and national project manager of Green Music Australia. Emma’s passion for environmental sustainability was shaped during her school years through Earth education camps hosted by Wild Mountains Trust. As a result, Emma created Wild Mountain Songs in 2016 to reconnect with her creativity whilst raising a family. What began as a small, self-catered gathering with her songwriting friends, grew into a recurring event for professional artists.
Founder of renowned songwriting community I Heart Songwriting Club, Francesca de Valence, similarly values the profound impact that nature can have on creativity and well-being. She speaks about how the natural world nourishes her spirit, offering a space to recharge and reconnect and be open to more magical ideas for song-creations.
Francesca and Emma collaborating beyond songwriting
Collaboration Beyond the Song
To produce the retreat, Francesca and Emma wove together their individual strengths. Emma’s skill in logistics and connection to nature seamlessly complemented Francesca’s focus on nurturing creativity and providing structured guidance for songwriters. Together, they created a retreat experience where songwriters could immerse themselves in co-writing and self-discovery through an artistic exploration of nature.
And just like co-writing, any collaboration amplifies the creative energy by the amount of people in the room.
You Never Know Where A First Meeting Might Lead
Francesca and Emma’s journey began in 2008 when Emma, then the Queensland representative for APRA AMCOS, was informed of Francesca’s success after winning a prestigious Los Angeles Music Award.
This recognition sparked their initial acquaintance. But their friendship cemented years later when Francesca attended one of Emma’s Wild Mountain Songs retreats as an invited professional artist, stepping out of her leadership role to be a vulnerable participant. Emma had also been involved with I Heart Songwriting Club over the years and this experience led to the creation of some of her favorite songs, including some of her released tracks.
Collaboration opportunities can come from unexpected places. People in the music industry often move between roles, from being the local PRO representatives, to event organizers, or venue managers and local radio announcers, for example.
As a songwriter, build relationships across all areas of the industry and stay open to connecting rather than focusing on ‘what that person can do for you’. You never know, today’s casual acquaintance might become tomorrow’s creative partner.
Maddison Kate and Shauna Tohill have fun collaborating on a song at the Songwriting Retreat
An Invitation to Expand Creative Horizons
Emma and Francesca’s retreat wasn’t just a songwriting event; it was a blueprint for what’s possible when creative individuals unite to support one another. Songwriters possess skill sets that extend far beyond songwriting. From organisational prowess to teaching abilities, these additional talents can enhance collaboration in unexpected ways. If you’re going to collaborate, how else can you collaborate?
Finlonsen, Shauna Tohill and Francesca de Valence relaxing after a co-writing session
Join Our Next Songwriting Retreat
Immerse yourself in nature and collaborate with like-minded songwriters at our next songwriting retreat. Find out more information here.
Retreat Images by Jelightly
