We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laurel (Hay) Tomandl. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laurel below.
Laurel, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
Legacy is a big concept. I never intended it, but I suppose when I am gone, people will remember me for the Singer/Songwriter Challenge Facebook Page and the incredible songwriting community that it has helped to curate both physically in the Twin Cities Area in MN, across multiple states, and even across the pond in other countries. I hope that when people think of the work I did to create such an inclusive space, they will see the relationships, kindness, and heart that has brought all of these songwriters together. In such a competitive industry, it is refreshing to have a space to be vulnerable and let the creativity flow without fear of judgement.
Laurel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I run a group called the Singer/Songwriter Songwriting Challenge. It used to be the “Summer Challenge” but then people just didn’t want it to stop! The group now has two writing sessions a year, one that starts in June and goes for 10 weeks, and another, Winter Edition, that starts January first each year and last for 20 weeks. Each session is made up of 10 songwriting prompts that are given on a Sunday. In the Summer, participants have one week to write a song, record a video or track, and post to the page. In the Winter, each prompt is open for two weeks.
The group originated in WI and MN where we all tend to hibernate and slow down a bit in the Winter months. However, I selfishly also did this to fit my personal life-style when I was a teacher and had Summer’s off, given me the freedom to write more quickly. While in the Winter, teaching and planning for my Special Education classroom became a priority and I needed more time to write. Every songwriter has their own reasons for participating in one session or the other, or both. Some participants, like the incredible and insanely talented Sarah Morris, even ask for additional prompts between seasons. Sarah now gets a birthday prompt every year as well and many other writers jump in to write around that time as it falls in a break between sessions.
The group originated in 2014 and has grown incredibly. We now boast over 60 songwriters in the current session and hope to have more than 30 join in for the live showcases this season. We started hosting showcases back in 2015 with the challenge and it helps to bring the virtual community together in person. We cancelled three showcases when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its height. Now that musicians are playing out again and establishments are flourishing, we are going to be having not one, but TWO showcases this session.
May 6th, the group will be at KJ’s Hideaway in Saint Paul, MN for the Winter Edition Showcase. Writers who participated virtually during this session will get to come together to play their songs live. This will be a new venue for this type of showcase. On May 21st, our songwriters will gather on the other side of the river at Ziggy’s in Hudson, WI for our first ever Songwriter Showcase REMIX where songwriters from any session of the challenge are invited to come together to play songs. Over the year we have had hundreds of participants so it will be exciting to see who all shows up for this one.
Nearly ten years after the Challenge started, I have personally moved into an administrative role in Special Education, gotten married, and have had two children along with the joy of being a step-parent to an amazing son. Life has gotten busier and so has the challenge. Every single year it grows and the community just gets bigger and bigger. It sounds cheesy, but it has also just gotten more and more supporting and loving with every single member. Sure, my job comes with a little policing of the group. One of the rules is “Don’t be an Ass Hole” and is posted at the beginning of every session in our Do’s and Don’ts photo. However, I have only had to block one person from the page. Ever. There is too much joy and sparkly support going around for bad vibes. It seems to be one of the corner’s of the internet that is immune to trolls and negative vibes. It’s almost like a Unicorn in that regard. Now that it is busier, I lean on supportive members of the group to help archive videos and help keep the community engaged. There is now a sister-group called Songwriter Challengers in the Wild where participants go to share their upcoming gigs, songwriting strategies, and other random fun stuff. It allows the main page to stay focused on the songs, while leaving room for the community to grow and flourish. It’s been amazing to watch it grow! I have dreams about fun things to roll out for the 10th anniversary of the challenge, so get involved and stay tuned for next season to see what fun is coming next!
https://www.facebook.com/singersongwritersongwritingchallenge
https://www.facebook.com/groups/584130796877357 (Songwriting Challengers in the Wild)
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Word of mouth!!! When people love something, they share it with others. I used to promote the page heavily in the early days, but I realized I didn’t need to. It really grows on it’s own because the writers involved are so incredibly passionate about what they do.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The community of this songwriting group is unlike any other social media-initiated group out there. I truly believe it is a unicorn and I can’t believe it is MY unicorn! The group has fostered my own confidence in my songwriting and musicianship. It even brought my husband and I together in many ways. He still helps me run the showcases and writes periodically as well. When life becomes too busy and I feel like I can’t add music into my schedule by going to shows, playing out, or even exploring new groups, I always know that I will have the Songwriter Challenge to keep me grounded and connected to the music industry and music scene. It’s like my lifeline and reminder that I still have this creative spirit, even when it might feel like it’s fading in all of my “adulting”. I’m just to grateful for everyone who participates and continues to help this community thrive. I see you all! You are amazing!!
Image Credits
Signe Shores