Listen Up! Music is a non-profit day program of Creative Trails that supports adult musicians with i
Music is a program of Creative Trails, a Portland-based non-profit. We operate out of a studio space on Warren Avenue called Listen Up! Studios and support musicians in all aspects of the therapeutic music-making process - from writing, arranging, and recording songs to editing, remixing, and marketing work to the musical community. The program gives emphasis to the importance of deeply listening
to music, to each other, and to the surrounding world. Through instrument exploration, lyric-writing, and even found-sound collecting, we seek to make music that is meaningful, accessible, and fun. is always seeking donations of musical instruments and equipment, and would love to host workshops or visit the studios of other musicians!
Operating as usual
It's been one week since we celebrated the release of Bobby's album "Strength To Carry On", and one of the more powerful moments in a night full of them was when he shared his song "Free". Take a listen to this incredible piece of music and tribute to a friend, and then listen to or download the whole album. Thank you for sharing your music and your heart, Bobby.
from the album Strength To Carry On
Listen Up is so proud to release the debut album by Bobby Gastonguay, "Strength To Carry On". Anyone who has ever met Bobby knows how deep, soulful, and kind a person he is, and all of those traits shine through in his amazing songs. Bobby is a drummer and singer who wrote all the lyrics on this album and will be celebrating with a Zoom show tonight at 6pm! The wonderful Ellen S. aka "Faux-Phil" will be opening up the show with her cover songs!
10 track album
If you haven't had the chance to listen to Ellen's stunning cover of Eric Clapton's "Holy Mother" yet, do yourself a favor. Grab a box of tissues and once your tears have dried let her know what you think. Check that epic guitar solo.
Ellen is pleased to release a new cover song, featuring herself on lead vocals, backup vocals, and an epic guitar solo. Here's what she would like to share about the special track: "This is a song th
Happy Thanksgiving from Malakai and everyone from Listen Up! Listen to this masterpiece with your friends and families tomorrow. He had help from Andrew, Bobby, and Zohar on this one.
from the album Malakai's Awesome CD
The album called "Malakai's Awesome CD" has officially been digitally released! You can listen to this wide-ranging and totally excellent album on bandcamp and download if you like. CDs for purchase will be coming soon so stay tuned! Let Malakai and crew know what you think of the album in the comments.
9 track album
We are so excited to celebrate the release of "Malakai's Awesome CD" this evening on Zoom! Here is a sneak peak of a song from the album. Tyler W. will be opening the show, which starts at 6pm. Congrats to Malakai for the completion of his debut album, which he worked very hard on here in our studio.
"Hi, my name is Malakai Green. I made a song called Megalodon. I hope you like it because I worked so hard on the song. Thanks to Zohar I couldn't have done it without his help. Thank you. I did the s
Congratulations Zohar for winning the Creative Trails staff quarterly appreciation award. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, life passions and humbleness with us. You are an inspiration!!!!!
This is a super-fun one from Tom and Andrew. Years ago they were at the same concert, never knowing they would one day meet and become friends and musical collaborators at Listen Up! Great story in this song.
Crazy! Fate! Kismet! Call if what you want, but this song *had* to exist - just like Andrew and Tom's friendship *had* to exist. "Guilford Meetup" tells the story of how Andrew and Tom by coinci
Listen Up is so proud to announce the release of Justin's EP "Emotional Release" on Bandcamp. Justin gives some incredible vocal performances on this short album and has a lot of help from other Listen Up musicians on instruments and production. Take a listen to his raw, honest, and amazing lyrics on this, you won't be disappointed.
3 track album
David Vail Music's CD Release Celebration and Listening Party is tomorrow night at 6pm! Join us and his former bandmate Justin Cleveland, who is releasing his original debut EP, on Zoom from 6-8pm. Reach out to a Creative Trails Program Manager for the link. David recorded this album at Composition Studio and it sounds great. You can purchase the CD on his website below.
The incredible artists at The Art Certificate Program: TACP are looking to enhance the possibilities in their space and have both a ceramics and a screen-printing capacity and need our help. Please donate to these incredible artists if you can, and if you can't donate you can help us by spreading the word about their GoFundMe, thank you!
Artists at the Art Certificate Program have been dreaming of s… Lianne Lewin-Grover needs your support for Help The Art Certificate Program's Studio Grow!
The amazingly talented Tyler has a brand new single! Check out his drums, piano, and incredible vocals on the Beatles classic. This is a tough song to cover and he absolutely nails it. As Tyler says, "I'm just a silly lion. Welcome to Timberline's Wilderness Extravaganza! If you find a greasier sandwich, you're in Mexico."
For his cover of the classic Beatles song "Here Comes The Sun," Tyler played nearly every part himself. He sang all the vocals, including three-part harmonies, and added piano and drums too. The guita
The Listen Up! Music and Composition Studio music programs are currently hiring a DSP Music Mentor to join our staff in supporting individuals with creating music and accessing their communities. The position could be full or part time - feel free to send interested candidates to apply through Indeed, thanks!
Creative Trails
Tonight is the night! Listen Up is celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary with an amazing Compilation Album of all original music! You can listen to it now on Bandcamp, and also come celebrate with us on Zoom tonight from 6pm-8pm. Reach out to any Creative Trails Manager if you are interested in the Zoom link. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen!
21 track album
Happy Memorial Day from Kathleen Shevenell and Listen Up! Take a listen to her classic song "Favorite Holiday in May" from her recent full-length while you are hanging out with loved ones today. "Here's to peace and freedom on Memorial Day."
from the album Kathleen Shevenell
Abby's first single at Listen Up is a cover of the classic "Amazing Grace", featuring visual art she created herself! Here's what she would like to share about this song: "Thank you to Jon and Zohar for taking the time to help me out with my first Soundcloud release. I want to give respect to John Newton's memory, who wrote this song."
Coming to you from the hallowed Blue Room at Listen Up! in Portland, it's a cover of Amazing Grace! Abby sang vocals, with Jon playing the piano and Zohar adding bass and slide guitar. Here's what Abb
Friends and Followers of Listen Up! Music, Composition Studio, and other community support programs take note! Please please please take a few minutes today to take action to support a Cost Of Living Adjustment for the incredible staff in this field who have been excluded from the original budget. Follow the link and make your voice heard.
THE ASKThe Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee is preparing to vote on the Governor's Supplemental Budget and will consider amendments brought forward by other committees of the legislature. This includes the...
Listen Up was so busy celebrating the release of Kathleen's solo album that we missed St. Patrick's Day this year. Not to worry, Kathleen has a remarkable song called "Ireland" that will get you back in the spirit! Take a listen, and a download if you like it.
from the album Kathleen Shevenell
Zoom Album Release Celebration and Listening Party Tonight! 6pm-7:30pm.
9 track album
We are so excited to release Tom's first single from Listen Up: "Dangerous Savannah"! Tom wrote and sang the lyrics, in addition to playing guitar and keyboard, and creating the original art to go along with the single. Here's what he has to say: "I chose to write this song to bring attention to the mythical Nandi bear, and to get a chance to go into character as Venom from Marvel. I hope all you punk enthusiasts out there like this song, and I hope I get cast as the next Venom."
Tom would like to thank everyone who pitched in to help with his debut single at Listen Up. Tom wrote and sang the lyrics to the song, and added keyboard and guitar. Jordan played the bass and Zohar h
Listen Up is proud to announce the release of singer/songwriter/bassist Kathleen Shevenell's self-titled debut album on Bandcamp! She worked very hard on it for many years and is excited for the world to hear these nine songs with her trademark wonderful lyrics about holidays, traveling, and special people and places in her life. Take a listen on Bandcamp and reach out to a Creative Trails Manager if you are interested in attending the Zoom Album Release and Listening Party next Wed., March 16th from 6-7:30pm.
9 track album
Presenting to the public: "Chicken World" - a quizzical quartet's questioning of time and place. Bobby, Andrew, Malakai and Zohar persevered in the face of rubber chickens to write, record, and mix it all together, with Jon mastering. As Malakai says: "This was a very cool song to make. We worked so hard on it, bok bok bok!"
Presenting to the public: Chicken World - a quizzical quartet's questioning of time and place. Malakai has this to say about Chicken World: "This song a very cool song to make. We worked so hard on
Last year Music Therapist Kate Beever celebrated ten years of Maine Music & Health with a series of interviews of local musicians, including Listen Up and Composition Studio's own Sophie. Take a listen to the wonderful conversation about music between these two inspiring humans!
As part of our 10-year celebration, we are interviewing others about the power of music. Sophie Rioux is a musician and singer who lives with Williams Syndro...
Bridget's first single at Listen Up! She has been hard at work ever since she joined the program this past summer and has many more songs she is creating in our studio. Here is the first chance to hear her amazing vocals, which we are sure you will hear lots more of in the coming months!
Bridget's first-ever single is a cover of Eli Young Band's "Crazy Girl." Bridget began working on the song shortly after starting at Listen Up. She sang vocals for the recording, with Ellen laying dow
Tyler has been singing this song with Listen Up for the longest time, both on-stage at concerts and in the studio with various bands. We are excited to finally release his official cover and first solo single on Soundcloud! Check out those harmonies, Billy Joel would be proud!
Tyler's first single with Listen Up is a classic song he has covered many times, both on stage and at the studio jamming with his peers. For his rendition of the Billy Joel hit, Tyler sang lead and ba
Check out the latest composition from Sophie and Colin, created totally over Zoom! It's called "Extremely Happy" and is sure to lift your spirits if you are feeling the winter blues with all the snow today. That's Sophie on the loops, synth, and vst violin; Colin on vst glockenspiel.
This latest musical offering from Sophie is an instrumental, created from music loops combined with solo keyboard tracks played by Sophie. Sophie: loops, synthesizer, vst violin Colin: vst glockenspi
Due to wintry weather Listen Up, Composition Studio, and all other Creative Trails Programs will be going virtual tomorrow. See you on Zoom! Contact your Program Manager if you need the link. 🌨❄️☃️🌬⛄️❄️❄️❄️
Dan Woodman's amazing song "Jason & Leah" is included on this incredible international compilation album from Aldora Britain Records - AB Records! Check out an eclectic batch of music and keep supporting independent musicians like Dan and others.
26 track album
Dan the Man himself with his words of holiday wisdom! Wishing everyone health, safety, and joy this season.
Dan Woodman of the Furry Ambers wrote this little ditty that gets at what's important about the holiday season. As he said, "You certainly won't be hearing this coming from mall loudspeakers anytime s
"We will miss your muscles and your fuzzy beard too." Here is a tribute to Listen Up legend Dan Woodman from his old bandmate Paul. Dan got an incredible job making cigar box guitars last year and moved on from Listen Up but he is not forgotten by all the musicians who played music with him here over the years!
Last year, legendary Listen Up musician Dan left the program after many wonderful years. Never one to let a special moment pass quietly, his good friend and former bandmate Paul decided to write him a
"Come on board the Smashing Kay Express!" Listen Up is proud to share the "Smashing Kay Theme Song" as we wish multitalented musician Kaley well on her continued musical journey with Composition Studio! This song is an absolute blast and captures the spirit of Smashing Kay and all the great music she has made. This one had help from old friends Kyle, Dan, and Theo and has custom artwork made by musician and artist Ivy!
Here's what Kaley has to say about Smashing Kay Theme Song: "I worked on this song with Kyle and Dan Woodman starting in the good ol' days of 2016. This is a fun and energetic song. It's easy to danc
Could a megalodon still exist? Scientists believe these huge sharks went extinct millions of years ago, but Malakai is not so sure. Check out his song and see what you think! He had help from Zohar, Bridget, and Kyle on this one.
"Hi, my name is Malakai Green. I made a song called Megalodon. I hope you like it because I worked so hard on the song. Thanks to Zohar I couldn't have done it without his help. Thank you. I did the s
Incredible holiday gifts available from the artists at The Art Department from their Virtual Auction! We will put the link to the pieces in the comments for you to check them out.
We hope you all had a very peaceful, safe, and happy Thanksgiving! Kathleen released her classic original song celebrating the holiday, we hope you all enjoy it. She had help from Colin, David, and Ellen and it will be on her upcoming album.
Just in time for the holiday, Kathleen is excited to release her song about Thanksgiving. She started working on the project at least three years ago, and the final version will be featured on her upc
A song celebrating Andrew's "morning coffee" - Mountain Dew! Lots of great collaborators on this one, including Ellen, Malakai, Tyler W., David, and Zohar. Give it a listen if you need a pick me up this morning!
"I started this in 2020 and finished it this year. I wrote this song because I am passionate about drinking Mt. Dew. I wrote the lyrics on my phone when I was bored in my house in 2020. I wanted it to
“Today I thought of a song. It lifts the spirit in you. Fly like an eagle in flight, Dropping cheese wiz on top of Dad. Great thanks to Kyle Morgan, who helped me to organize, write and record this song, and to Colin for completing the bass, drums, mixing and final master. I’d like to dedicate this song to my father, and all the fathers of the world.”
“All Dad’s Song” original lyrics: John Hall original music and arrangement: Kyle Morgan lead vocals: John Hall guitar, electric piano, organ: Kyle Morgan bass, MIDI drums: Colin Malakie In January o
BMoney is one of Listen Up's most passionate and prolific artists and is also an incredible advocate, always using his voice for this community. Check out his new song "Abled Not Disabled" and let him know what you think!
Thank you, Jon, for your help with the recording and set up. B$ was on guitar and vocals. I wrote this song for everybody with a disability to let them know that they are not alone. Please listen a
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