“Before Christmas I caught a virus and lost my voice for ten days… On day nine, I thought ‘this is ridiculous’.” Thus begins the story of Natacha Dauphin’s latest project, UNTAMED.
By Graeme Smith
The literal loss of voice and following period of introspection resulted in the recording of a full album. “I decided to journal on ‘not having a voice’ and ten pages later, after lots of tears, exposure of limiting beliefs, it became clear that the next step was actually to record a full album,” says Dauphin.
The York-based artist is no stranger to us. I’ve chatted to her before about her book Letters From The Wound. It was the first of a trilogy of tomes aimed at helping others face trauma and come out stronger. All three books are out now, and UNTAMED is very much a progression from that project.
“The books are actually part of the album and show through the spoken word pieces,” says Dauphin. “In some way I feel like I needed to write these books in order to find the courage to do this album and share my creative expression in this way. UNTAMED is ‘walking my talk’.”
To help realise the project, Dauphin has launched a Kickstarter campaign. At time of writing, she is nearing her goal with fourteen days left on the campaign. Rewards range from a digital copy of the album to coaching sessions, opportunities to practice speaking French with her (which I personally recommend), right up to a private concert. “It took me a while to work out how the platform worked and then set up my fundraising page with all the perks etc. but I got there in the end,” she says about setting up the campaign.
The funds will see her finish the recording of the album. The music itself is largely improvised. “When I start drumming, I never know what sound is going to come out of my mouth and it can quickly shift to another voice,” Dauphin says. “It can sound Indigenous, child-like, etheric, wise old woman-like. I wanted to bring these frequencies, and this magic on stage, woven in with more crafted work like songs. And then I thought why not have that for the album as well.”
I asked her what she hoped listeners would take away from UNTAMED.
“I’d love the listeners to have an experience, to be taken on a journey, to be reminded of how sacred and playful life truly is underneath all the horrors and distortions that we are facing in our world,” she says. “I’d love them to feel that they can do anything after listening to the album, that they can do their own thing, follow their heart, and create a life beyond their imagination.
“I’d love them to feel inspired to connect to nature, themselves, and their creativity, to feel more of a connection to their soul and unique inner spark.”
Dauphin has an infectious personality, and I find myself rooting for her no matter what her project is. An authenticity runs through her books, her one-woman show, and her music.
You can donate to Natacha Dauphin’s Kickstarter for UNTAMED here.
