We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lydia Froncek. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lydia below.
Hi Lydia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
For the past 7 years I have served as a songwriting mentor at an annual songwriting retreat for veterans of war through a program called Soldier Songs and Voices. During their 5 day stay at a ranch in Halletsville, Texas, participants find healing and conection by turning their stories and experiences into songs. The past two years I have stepped into a role that really allows me to offer my expertise and authentic self to this amazing community. I set up a mobile studio where the participants have the chance to record the song they have been writing throughout the week. I love this process and have found that even more important than my skills as a producer and engineer is my empathy and intuition when it comes to working one on one with an artist. Many of the songwriters have never sung into a microphone or heard their voice played back through speakers, let alone shared their stories in such a vulnerable way. I’ve enjoyed the process of working with each person to find the best way for them to get their song out and to see the transformation that takes place in the studio. There’s a magic that happens when you take a heavy topic and make a record of it. Once the song is out, that story suddenly has less power over you and actually becomes a source for healing and transformation. Songwriting has long been my tool for processing my experience of the world, the many ups and downs of life. I feel so grateful that I have a found a way to offer this tool to others and be a part of their healing journey.
Lydia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Lydia Froncek, I’m a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer who’s love for collaboration, language and travel can be found at the heart of all of my creative projects. Raised in Ithaca, New York, I became the drummer of my first all-female band at age 8 and have continued to dedicate my career to uplifting the voices of women through collaboration and mentorship. At the age of 21, an interest in West African rhythm drew me to Senegal where I began a ten year intensive study of the talking drum. I am one of the only women studying this instrument in depth and have returned to Senegal 4 times to study.
As the percussionist and co-founder of Austin’s beloved all female world folk band Ley Line, I have traveled through Brazil, Central America and across the United States creating music and art inspired by cultures around the globe. With Ley Line, I have thrived in the role of tour manager, video producer and performer, gracing the stages of Telluride Bluegrass, Austin City Limits and Kerrville Folk Festival to name a few. I’m now bringing these experiences to my solo project Lyd Marie. I’m currently releasing a self produced album called LOVE COMES//LOVE GOES with a range of genres from afrobeat and neo-soul to folk americana and pop. My songs are defined by their honest vulnerability, strong percussive elements and haunting vocal harmonies.
I am a member of Gender Amplified, a group of women and non-binary producers who collaborate together to increase the visibility of female producers in the music industry. I have worked as a songwriting coach with refugees, young mothers, war veterans and everyone in between and also work with young independent artists helping to grow their careers through artist development and personalized songwriting and production coaching.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
For the past ten years I have studied the talking drum from Senegal and had the chance to learn first hand about the role musicians have historically played in West African society. In Senegal, griots are musicians and poets who tell the stories and history of their community. In this reciprocal relationship, the community provides support for the griot family knowing that the they are crucial to the perseverance of the culture and wellbeing of the community. I think our society too often overlooks the importance of artists and I would like to see a world where artists and creatives are more integrated into the framework of society. I could write a book about all my ideas from grassroots sustainable touring networks to a framework for corporate sponsorship of community events. But at the heart of all these ideas is a societal shift in the way we value our artists and creatives. We must recognize artists as crucial and integral to a healthy society so that community support becomes a cultural practice not just an occasional handout.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
All of my musical endeavors are driven by a core belief that songs have the power to connect and heal, from an individual level to a large scale when we look at songs that have driven social and political movements. Every one of my songs is an attempt to process and move through life experiences and in sharing my perspective I hope it gives others permission to do the same. As a songwriting and mentor my goal is to help others channel their authenticity. My work with war veterans has shown me how turning a painful story into a song can transform that trauma into an opportunity to for connection, growth and integration. Through my own music and my coaching practice I want to help others find the benefit of uncovering the songs within.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lydiafroncek.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydmariemusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lydmariemusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-froncek-044a15174/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN92UCHEjmzVDd2X5-0mLUA
Image Credits
Drew Bordeaux, Magen Buse, Dream but Don’t Sleep, Sean Mathis