Today we’d like to introduce you to Selkie Winter-Golden
Hi Selkie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started writing songs at eleven years old, attempting to put words to the emotions that I could not yet fully reckon with. My songs blossomed from gardens of confusion and growing pains, and possessing the power to narrate the inner workings of my own life story and emotions gave me a sense of control that encouraged me to continue towards an upward journey. The piano and microphone positioned next to my living room window became an unscathed realm upon which I flourished, where my own self doubt laid to rest.
As an elementary school to middle school age student, I sang at every talent show my school held until I was high school bound. In my early teens, I started seeking out venues in which I could perform and learn from other musicians, but, in all honesty, I hated performing at first. I struggled with massive amounts of stage fright and social anxiety, and often found myself shrinking into my sweater, hoping I would magically disappear before I was called to the stage. This lessened as I grew, and the open mics and songwriting competitions I once frequented morphed into bigger venues where I opened for smaller artists, or was able to perform all original songs.
I was able to hone in my craft over the pandemic, and explore musical dimensions I hadn’t discovered pre-covid. I fell in love with creative writing all over again, just like I had when I was a child, and was able to play with language and instrumentation as I saw fit.
Now, I study Ethnomusicology at UCLA and am able to research and delve into various musical realms and motifs that I may have never had the chance to experience.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Though music and writing have always been helpful tools to aid in my betterment as a human being and artist, I have never been a stranger to mental health struggles. I have wrestled with depression and PTSD for much of my life, which resulted from instances of trauma during my childhood. Though this has been a difficult journey, I am very priveleged to have a strong, unwavering support system and many artistic tools at my disposal. Many of my songs and compositions touch on these themes, varying from stories of redemption to loss.
I feel very grateful to be able to provide a voice for a younger version of myself that felt at a loss for one, and hopefully someday my music can help someone who felt similarly to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My first love always has been and will be singing and writing, and my work defnitely reflects that. Because I started doing both at such a young age, I feel that my specialty lies in my lyricism and vocal control. I have been working with the same vocal coach for seven years now, who is basically my second mother at this point. Working so thoroughly with someone you are significantly bonded to is such an intimate, and beautiful connection. With my coach, we both have worked to strengthen and refine my voice from a place of love rather than perfection. On the other hand, my writing has improved through a process of sheer chaos, and unstructured routine. I write and read as much as I can throughout the week, as much as possible.
I am most proud of my recent two track single, which dropped April 19th. The first track is called “Desert Sunrise,” which looks out on the horizon of a hopeful, yet poignant present and future, in which I grapple with how far I have come from the struggles of my past to where I am now. “Desert Sunrise” is kind of a response to the second song, called “Swimming,” which examines the loneliness and alienation I felt during covid, as well as during the beginning of my Freshman year of college.
What makes you happy?
My friends, family, relationship, and creative endeavors, all make me very happy. Most of all, I feel a lot of joy from growth and the process of growing. Sometimes this can be difficult, yes, but I am most happy when I feel I am learning something new or challenging myself in some way. I constantly learn new things from the people around me, and this is especially due to me being a current music student. Being surrounded by artists from all walks of life, who find joy in many differing things, has really pushed me to see beyond my own perspective, and try things I may feel at first uncomfortable with. This year alone, I have written and composed pieces I wouldn’t have given the time of day to a year before. I definitely acredit much of this to the amazing artists, friends, and people around me who push me to better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VpgvHO84Ovy5ML5356ZtF?si=DIH4ESrrS3650liwtuT9IQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selkie.wg/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@selkiewinter4414
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VpgvHO84Ovy5ML5356ZtF?si=DIH4ESrrS3650liwtuT9IQ
Image Credits
All photos taken by Joseph Bailey
