PLEASANT POINT, Maine — Madyson Keezer thought she was just a writer, but it turns out she’s a pretty good singer, too.
Madyson, 13, was glad her friend Kailyn Socabasin, 13, recruited her for David Hodges’ youth music workshop on Oct. 14-16 on the Passamaquoddy reservation. The workshop culminated in Hodges and four youths writing and recording two original songs.
Those songs, “ Take Its Toll” and “Be Myself,” can be heard on SoundCloud, an online audio distribution platform that also displays the lyrics and names of the artists.
Five young Penobscots participated in a similar workshop with Hodges that same week. They also produced two songs, “Skicin in You” and “Carry My Spirit,” which can be heard on SoundCloud.
“I liked that we actually got together to write and record our own songs,” said Alexis Ireland, 16, a member of the Penobscot Tribe.
Hodges, a Montreal hip-hop artist, music producer and youth worker, first set out in 2014 to do music workshops in Cree schools and community centers in Canada. The initiative was called “N’we Jinan,” which are Cree words that mean “our home” or “we live here.”
That project resulted in an album of 19 songs that also can be heard on SoundCloud.
Donna Loring, a Penobscot and president of Seven Eagles Media, a nonprofit that aims to educate the general public about tribal history and issues, said she learned about Hodges’ work through a special she watched on the Internet. Her organization sponsored the workshops.
“Our motto is ‘creating a pathway for vision and voice of native people,’” she said. “This music workshop has provided our youth and young adults
with such a voice. We plan to continue to work with David Hodges in the future and work towards bringing him back to continue the work of giving native youth and young adults a voice.”
Ireland said she liked the fact that the songs they wrote and produced reflected Penobscot culture.
Other Penobscot youth said they enjoyed the workshop.
“I had a blast doing it,” said Leigh Neptune, 21. “[Hodges] made it really easy.”
“At first, I was extremely nervous because I don’t normally sing in front of people,” said Ireland.
By the second day of the workshop, she said she felt very comfortable.
“Everybody was gaining confidence from working with [Hodges],” said Penobscot participant Shantel Van Dyke, 18.
She said Hodges encouraged her to try rapping for a portion of the song “Skicin in You,” even though she had no rapping experience.
At Pleasant Point, Hodges said, all the youth he worked with were young teens. Madyson, he said, joined the group thinking she would be a writer only.
“We needed voices on the songs so she stepped up,” he said, adding she became “super excited” about being part of the song.
“He told me I had a good ear and matched pitch perfectly,” said Madyson.
Hodges said the workshop allowed Madyson to think of herself as an artist, which is his goal. He wants to see participants develop confidence and see what’s possible, he said.
Joe McLaughlin, Passamaquoddy recreation center director, said many members of the tribe were pleased with the work the girls did.
“They thought the kids did an excellent job in terms of building a new future for themselves,” he said, adding the songs were “put together very well.”
“I wish more kids had taken the opportunity to do this,” said Anna Keezer, Madyson’s mother, adding her daughter plays their songs often.
“I cry every time I hear the songs,” said Frances Socabasin, Kailyn’s mother. “I’m so proud.”