Licity Collins - Musician & Artist
Licity Collins
Licity Collins is fearless. Combining her raw passionate voice, intense rhythmic guitar, penetrating lyrics and spoken word, Licity creates music and shows that are unique, immersive and memorable experiences that will change your life—lighting a fire in the part of you that is fearless too. Licity combines intimate folk music layered with classic rock bravado. To this she adds, unexpectedly personal spoken word prose.
NPR’s Here & Now described her as “writing and singing full frontal.” Fox News.com called her music, “Lyrical, intense, intimate and relatable...that listeners may see as a mirror into their own lives.” Licity may be one of the few artists who can claim profiles on both the liberal NPR and conservative Fox News, proving that in this time of harsh divisions, Licity's passion bridges audiences and touches people in that place we all share—the place she embodies—of raw, honest, fearless emotion. Licity believes there are no wrong notes and as a result has a gift for allowing herself to be raw and honest in her performance, striving for authenticity over perfection. In this way she becomes a fellow traveler with her listeners, placing herself not above them on the stage, but walking next to them as a companion on their journeys. Licity says, "I like cognitive dissonance and my people like to look each other in the eye." Her debut album ONE GIRL TOWN was released in 2018 and her music+spoken Live Album LOVE COURAGE YES: LIVE AT THE UNDERGROUND EXCHANGE was released in 2019.
I’m so excited for you to connect with Licity, check out work, and follow along as she continues to share her passion and touch people in that place we all share—the place she embodies—of raw, honest, fearless emotion..
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
Hi, I’m Licity, and I make music and spoken word prose (aka not poetry). I combine the intense bravado of classic rock with the intimate sharing of folk music. I tell deeply personal stories through songs and writing that help us grow our intimate relationships with ourselves and each other. I am also a professional hugger. Right now I am working on a signature hand-made book full of inspirational ideas and insight into my creative process. I hope it can be a companion for people as they navigate challenges in their lives.
How did you get started?
I was born this way.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
I am passionately devoted to humanity. The species frustrates the hell out of me, but I can’t stop loving them.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest addiction (passion) is getting people to see things in ways they hadn’t seen things before. Sometimes, this means even getting them to see themselves in a way they hadn’t seen themselves before. I call it an addiction because there’s such a rush for me when it happens. And it’s not so much a passion as a compulsion. I feel like I was wired to do that, to serve that function on the planet. And yes! I am happy to be living it through my work these days. Doing that through song and story, performance and talks is a wonderful blessing and the most fun!. But, I had to learn how to channel that compulsion into my work and not into my relationships. I had to learn to put the energy into places that gave the energy back to me and that were healthy and appropriate. I honed my skills on a lot of individuals before I learned how to share it exclusively in my art. You can imagine this had mixed results in my personal life. Learning how to navigate that boundary has been a key to being happy on a day to day basis. It makes me so much more grounded, puts my energy in the right place, and brings even more power and intensity to what I am able to give from the stage. And giving from the stage is an exhilarating process. I’m not a performer who wants to be looked at or needs attention—what I need is to give—and the stage is the happiest healthiest place for me to be a giver.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
I need to have a lot of say over my time. I am so efficient, I get so much done, I’m not a spaced out artist (who even fills that stereotype? no one I know). But I have to follow the energy and the moment. I can keep a schedule and I am always on time, but day to day, I create the best when I am able to tune into what my body needs in the moment and then allow it. I live so much in the present moment that way. And it’s magical every time—it actually always surprises me, “Woah, I did exactly what felt right and amazing things came out of it!” It’s a kind of anarchy in a way, but rather than no structure it makes me conform to a greater structure that I can’t create or imagine myself, it’s like the universe speaks to my body and when I listen to what my body says, and do it-- rock and roll.
That’s on the introverted side. On the extroverted side, there’s nothing so wonderful as singing into someone’s eyes, or telling a story that truly touches people. It lights me up to hear people tell me that my songs felt like their story. That is powerful. That’s the dream.
And I am a sucker for a ripping electric guitar solo. When I hear that, something indescribable lights up in every cell of my body, like a charged glow. And the sound of a bass holding me up from underneath and the way a sensitive drummer can make me cry— so playing with a band is…. it just IS. Just thinking about it makes my eyes well up.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I have found that I spend less time practicing a spiritual practice and more time living the practice these days. I went to a Quaker school from kindergarten through high school. We spend a lot of time sitting in silence waiting for wisdom to speak to us. This has grounded me in a practice of silence that deeply informs everything I do. You wouldn’t know it to talk to me because I am a high-context talker/thinker. And I’m pretty loud when I rhythmically beat on my guitar. But really, I spend a lot of time listening and waiting. Most everything I do is guided by a something I hear internally, something that arrives to me that tells me what to do or say and when. That to me is a very Quaker process. Allowing that process to step ahead of my little ego desires, is a constant learning curve. When I am listening I am not only doing my best work, but I am happiest, and I feel the least alone in those times. Listening keeps me connected to the mystery.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
She would be so happy! I used to sneak out of the house to go to my friend’s band rehearsal when I was a teenager, and this was my dream of all dreams. And as a little girl my dream was to have a creative business where I was the head of a team, and so I hear cheers of delight from the little girls inside of me each step I get closer to that.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
“There’s an opportunity in every obstacle.”
“When you come face to face with Love the most Courageous thing you can do is say Yes.” (that’s my signature quote, so if any one uses it, they should credit me :)
What is your biggest dream?
My heart aches to share something with the world that gives them a sense of companionship—to create meaningful offerings that people can turn to when they feel a need for love and support. To be the radio playing in people’s heads that gives them comfort, a smile, and hope, and a sense of courage mixed with play.
To learn more about Licity visit her website http://licitycollins.com/ and on Instagram @licitycollins Facebook @licitycollins and you can join her email list here
Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here