Emilia Dahlin - Green Things to Grow (2020)

A decade in the making, this is the fifth album and first live publication for Portland-based singer-songwriter, Emilia Dahlin titled, “...Green Things To Grow”. Dahlin, also an activist who’s interested in how to use music to build healthier communities, transformed an industrial warehouse on Portland’s Fore River waterfront into a pop-up venue for a one-evening community event last fall. Handcrafted stages and walls embraced listeners sitting at long, candle-lit tables and the audience shared a hot middle-eastern meal made by a New Neighbor together before the show. The audience and musicians made music as a whole and two local Non-profits were invited to speak about their missions. The album captures the vital connected feel of this special night.

“Truthfully, this project was a major undertaking. Building a venue from the ground up (for one night) and producing the dinner and performance was challenging, but invigorating. It felt like the right way to renew my creative process and to capture what I feel is so magical about performing music live, the energy and magic that’s produced by a live show. Starting the evening by breaking bread and having the opportunity to talk with the people around us built a container that was strong and palpable.”

“...Green Things To Grow” is a vow and creative reclamation project after Emilia’s transition from nationally touring musician to mother and, now, artist-mother, a five-year journey. Songs reflect experiences from before and during this challenging and beautiful time and subjects range from gratitude, to deep connections to the natural world, overcoming fear, and the multitude of ways love manifests.

Long-time band-mates Adam Frederick (bass), Seth Kearns (drums), and Max Cantlin (guitar) were joined, for the first time, by Portland talents Kate Beever (vibes/percussion) and Sorcha Cribben-Merrill (harmonies and guitar) to make a work that offers ethereal driving grooves and the storytelling and imagery of folk, with a hint of latin jazz. The addition of Beever and Cribben-Merrill contributed to the richness and depth of Dahlin’s evolved sound.

Throughout an eighteen-year musical performing career that has taken her through the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Europe, Emilia Dahlin has made Maine her home. Known for strong storytelling sensibilities and memorable performances, Emilia garnered national awards, from Telluride Troubadour, Winner of the Starbucks Music Makers Competition, Winner of Boston Music Conference Songwriting Competition, Best Female Vocalist and Songwriter in Portland, and the Great Waters Songwriting Contest. Emilia garners great joy from collaborating and co-creating and believes that music and storytelling are some of the most powerful tools to foster connection between people and create positive social change.