An Evening ‘With You’: Exploring Motherhood Through Local Sound
Courtney Hartman and Luray share an intimate night of new music at The Good Wives
words & photos by Evelyn Nelson |
Courtney Hartman performed with Luray on Oct. 15 at The Good Wives (2161 Eastridge Center), presented by Farewell Transmission Radio. This performance marked the fourth show in a string of events put on in October, making for a very “Farewell Fall.” The evening of music was also in support of Hartman’s third release of songs, co-written with mothers in the music industry.
Community has always been at the heart of what makes The Good Wives special, co-owner Emily Rieck said. When groups like Farewell Transmission Radio request to use the space, they do so with these values in mind. “We have always wanted our little space to be everyone’s,” Rieck said. “We try to live that value in the way we do business and the culture we cultivate at work.”
After enjoying drinks and bites, attendees were treated to a set from Luray, featuring songs from their 2019 album Dig – with a sample of new music on the horizon.
Shannon Carey, vocalist behind Luray, said Hartman became one of the first artists and friends to welcome her to Eau Claire since moving to town last summer.
Musicians like Hartman – along with others who came to support that night – represented the connections found through music and real-life experiences.
“I do feel Courtney and I are similar in a lot of ways with what we are expressing,” Carey said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had that much in common with somebody that I am on a bill with – that was really special.”
Performing in a non-traditional listening space adds a layer of excitement, Hartman said. She felt a deep desire to share this collection of songs with the families and mothers who shaped her life, she said.
With special musical guests joining throughout the night, the performance echoed a spirit of collaboration, central to the album’s creation. Sarah Elstran of The Nunnery and Sean Carey of S.Carey were featured artists who emerged from restaurant booths to join Hartman.
“It felt especially important to be working with women; that became the whole foundation for the project,” Hartman said. “It feels so vibrant and exciting to have this really rich collection of women songwriters in particular (for With You).”
The everyday occurrences of change and caregiving held profound meaning through the teaser tracks shared with the intimate audience at The Good Wives.
“As I looked at this body of work, the next step was welcoming other voices into it,” Hartman said. “It was not only my story but our story. That’s when I started reaching out to other other songwriters, mothers I knew in the music world.”
Carey said those who came together at the show were open to the messages Courtney’s music brought to light. There can be a space, or a song, about what it’s like to be a mother.
“I think we all have a stake in Courtney’s album,” Carey said.
The restaurant proved to be a space where each artist could explore vulnerability and honesty; translating deeply emotional experiences into personable storytelling through sound, Hartman said. “Companion,” a teaser track from With You, shared the story of Hartman’s daughter being brought into the world.
“This feels like family to be here … to play these songs in front of you,” Hartman said in an interlude between songs.
This sentiment struck Rieck on a personal level, along with the rest of the audience. The ways each artist brings gifts through their music and stories felt deeply intimate, they said.
“We always leave these shows with our hearts bursting,” Rieck said. “It’s less about selling food and cocktails for us than it is receiving the honor of hosting.”
Become a part of Courtney Hartman’s new album, With You, online through the artist’s crowdfunding efforts on Kickstarter.com. Learn more about Hartman at courtneyhartman.com, and find Luray online at luraymusic.com.
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