This tells the true story of a journey I made with my band, in 1993, to play songs for the protesters at the Black Hole, and the loggers at the Clayoquot Rendevous in Ucluelet. We were trying to build some middle ground amongst community members, about the need to protect ancient forests, during such a polarized confrontation. It didn't quite work out that way!

Shade Of Our Trees

War In The Woods

A song to celebrate the life of my uncle died in a logging accident at Yubo in 1925. To celebrate the incredible people who worked in the woods. To celebrate our beautiful, lost forests. To sing into being the future where we have community control of our forests, add value and protect local jobs, conserve old growth ecosystems and plant HUGE numbers of trees! Written with my late husband, Stephen Foster, and guitarist David Sinclair.

Loggers

This song was inspired by a quote from Jean Cocteau: "What we need is music of the earth, everyday music one can live in, like a house." It is dedicated to everyone who strives to think, and speak and act in a way that aligns with the Earth, our home..to everyone who never gives up in working to protect nature and children...those who always endeavour to live in and with love, and to make the most of the simple pleasures of life...every day. Written by Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright.

Everyday Music Of The Earth

Written by Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright of the Wilds Band, "The Sea Among Us" has two movements. Part 1 was inspired by the question: What is it important for people to understand about the ocean? Answer: The ocean is made up of moving parts--currents, winds, upwellings, tides, animal migrations. These parts are constantly in motion and interconnected and can be thought of as melodies in a symphony. Animals rely on the constancy of these moving parts to find food. Humans rely on the constancy of these moving parts for our weather and climate.

The Sea Among Us-Part 1

Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright of The Wilds band wrote "The Sea Among Us" Suite. Part 2 attempts to answer the question: How can we inspire people to protect the ocean, when so many of us have little or no experience with the vast open seas? The answer lies in the human heart and discovering new reservoirs of compassion and action. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Irish songwriter Johnny Duhan, for his approval to use lyrics from his beautiful song, "The Voyage".

The Sea Among Us-Part 2

A celebration of the beautiful watersheds of Canada's West Coast--home to the Liard, Nahanni, Nass, Stikine, Homathco and Kingcome Rivers.

Running From The Mountains

Dedicated to the protection of watersheds and the health of children who live in them. Written by Holly Arntzen & Stephen Foster. Vocals: Holly Arntzen. Guitar: David Sinclair. Piano: Michael Creber. Drums: Daryl Bennett. Bass: Miles Hill. Recorded 1991.  Photo: Francisco Anzola.

Rushing River 1

From the 2010 album by Holly Arntzen & Kevin Wright: "I Am The Future". Song written by Marshall Chapman. The innocence of babies is divine energy. Photo of Eri Foster and Nahanni Arntzen in a treeplanting camp circa 1976 somewhere in the BC wilderness. www.ArtistResponseTeam.com

I Am the Future

Call the Lamas!

July 2020. This is our musical offering for everyone struggling to find our way through the pandemic and hold onto a vision for the future. Our story, like most musicians, is that we lost all our work from March 12th onwards. At the time we said, “We have to look at this as a blessing in disguise.” This song emerged slowly over the next three months.

We started hearing news stories about the clearing skies due to the shutdown and lower pollution levels. It’s an unintended consequence that shows how effectively billions of people can respond to a threat and dramatically change their behavior almost overnight. The pandemic is causing terrible suffering, yet there are things we are learning that will help us meet even greater challenges of climate change, racism and social and economic justice—such as the ability to turn on a dime and work together for the common good.

The Wilds is Holly Arntzen (vocals, dulcimer, piano), Kevin Wright (vocals, cajon) and Nathen Aswell (bass). Our family members who joined us: Natalia Tisot-Wright, Kevin’s daughter, freshly graduated from high school in Victoria, BC, sings. Leif Arntzen is Holly’s trumpet-playing brother in New York; his son Miles Francis Arntzen added percussion. In Vancouver, brother Tom Arntzen played organ, and his son Arnt Arntzen tracked the banjo.

www.TheWildsBand.com

The Wilds & Family - Blessing In Disguise

Inspired by Richard and Mimi Farina's song "Reflections In A Crystal Wind"...this is my musical offering to celebrate the beauty of nature and love...and the urgent need for us humans to get our act together and protect what we have been given.

Holly Arntzen

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