Pure Goodness Music Collective
“Music is very spiritual. It has the power to bring people together.”
A few weeks ago, a group of us met to discuss the possibility of the Village adding a music studio onsite. It was a Saturday afternoon, we had tacos, and we sat outside around a big whiteboard. Nick, one of the missional residents who is a medical doctor in town, plays bass guitar and had called the meeting together. And Sarah, the staff architect, wanted to hear from current band members about what would be needed in order to have a functional rehearsal and recording studio in the new building.
Originally called the Goodness Band, this fun-loving, artistic group has regular shows around Community First! We saw them playing at the farmer’s market produce stand and in Unity Hall during one of our visits last year. We’ve listened to a handful of shows since becoming neighbors…including a couple of mobile concerts!
Now it has expanded into multiple “bands” and so the name Pure Goodness Music Collective emerged. The group is diverse, passionate, and inclusive. Two band members asked me if I wanted to come to the brainstorming meeting, and since I’d like to get more involved with the band, I was happy to be a part. It was a great chance to get to know more people. Plus, I love chips & salsa from Torchy’s.
I enjoyed hearing the smattering of ideas that poured from the group and the friendly banter woven throughout the conversation. What I loved most was the obvious but unspoken value that every voice mattered. Most of the people present had been chronically homeless before, some had more band experience than others, but we all shared a passion for music. That passion was obvious as ideas and opinions were thrown out. What was also obvious was that Sarah cared about and listened intently to every person who spoke. It felt like a town hall meeting from Gilmore Girls, or those small Iowa caucus gatherings they show around primary season.
There wasn’t a single dull moment in the two hours I was there (and it kept going after I left!). Some ideas got a lot of traction, while others seemed to contradict. Some ideas were pretty lofty and not very feasible, while others were simple requests. Every idea was given space.
It was beautiful to witness, and I even threw a couple ideas and jokes into the mix! The reason it still lingers in my memory is because it is representative of a larger value here. We are a community, and every person matters. Her gifts, her story, her preferences, and her voice matters. I felt this community culture immediately, and so it doesn’t take long before it feels safe for people to speak up. Even when a power dynamic is involved like speaking to the staff architect in front of a group, there is a mutual respect and the feeling that we are all equals, all neighbors. (The architect also lives in a tiny home onsite, btw) On top of being neighbors, everyone at the meeting that day shared some excitement about a new space to nurture our collective passion for music. A space to share. A space to create.
Music has been a strong thread in my own life, especially around church and in my family. My mom and I sang together a ton when I was growing up. Like me, many have found music to be a source of joy, an outlet for expression, and a way to connect with friends. As I get to know our neighbors better, it is obvious that music has gotten them through some hard times. It continues to be an anchor point for some, giving them a reason to wake up or stay sober. Several neighbors spent years recording and playing professionally, while others played/sang mostly for fun.
Last week, I got my first guitar lesson from my neighbor across the street who had a few of his original songs on the Top Billboard charts before life took some rough turns. It was so fun! He taught me a capo trick that once won him a $100 bet against Keith Urban, and he encouraged me to just have a good time experimenting. Though I’ve always been a singer, I’ve been wanting to learn guitar for years. I’m excited to try my hand at it, and I know I’m in good company.