We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bec Hollcraft. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bec below.

Bec, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

When I was a child, I had an obsession with becoming a pop idol. I grew up with the Spice Girls and boy bands and thought I wanted to do what they were doing. I quickly learned that I was an artist, and stubborn at that. Creating music was more about expressing and healing myself through transmuting than it was about popularity. Fame became less and less appealing as I realized I was chasing something I was supposed to want, not something that felt good to me. The interesting thing about influence is that it doesn’t have to be on a macro level, as everything we do has a ripple effect. I want my legacy to be about the people I influenced one on one. The art I get to bring to life with my client and collaborative relationships. I also work as a death doula, so I am often thinking about the legacy I will leave and about the things that truly matter. Being able to write a touching song for a couple’s anniversary that can be a representation of their love is an incredible feeling. The songs I write for people become a part of their history. Mostly I hope to be remembered for bringing light to people’s darkness. Being a safe space for people to be themselves. People shine brightest when they get to be themselves, and I love creating that safety for others.

Bec, 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?

My passion and career has always been intertwined. I moved out to Los Angeles when I was 14 to pursue a career in music. I was performing at open mics almost every night of the week, having co-writing sessions, and recording. I got signed to Sony Japan and had a really unique career as an American pop/rock star in Japan. After three years, I came back to the US and started touring as the front woman of a rock band. I got off the road in my late twenties and became a studio rat, focusing more on client work than personal artist work.
For many years I was driven by fear and lack. I would say 2020 shifted a lot of that for me. I connected back to my personal truth and now my career is driven by love. I only work with artists and clients that I enjoy energetically and believe in. I love bringing their ideas to life, whether that is as a co-writer, mentor, session vocalist, or producer.
I recently started a company called Somatic Songwriters with two other creatives where we bridge the gap between music and wellness. My mental health was not supported during my time as a touring artist, and I never want other artists to go through what I did. My team and I equip singer/songwriters with the tools they need to regulate their nervous systems in a high stress industry. From stage fright to “writer’s block”, there are many situations where we are expected to perform at a high level regardless of where we may personally be at, and the lines between our art and identity get blurred. It’s been my mission to encourage and support artists so they can flourish.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was in a band that was starting to build momentum but came to a dramatic ending unexpectedly. I was crushed as I had put all of my eggs in one basket. Every ounce of me was poured into making that band work, and I was devastated by how it ended. I was also really unhappy, and it took that ending for me to prioritize my well-being. I had to take time to check in with myself and be my own self-advocate.
I took a break from music, and focused on making money in whatever way felt good to me. I worked at a meditation center, built a dog walking and sitting company, and a vocal coaching business. I needed the space to work on myself and create wins that didn’t have to do with success in the music industry. Realizing that I have the work ethic and passion to make money however I decided was a very important lesson to learn. Also finding a way to untangle my identity with my career was much needed.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is quite simply to spend my life creating. I think we are all creators, but not everyone is a conscious creator. I love the puzzle of starting with an idea and building a world for it to exist in. Songs, music, stories…they can live on for eternity. I hope no one ever holds themselves back from creation. Making it less about you and more about the product is helpful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://somaticsongwriters.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bechollcraft

Image Credits

Sydney Angel and ParallaxStudio.xyz