The UpStream Songwriting Retreat creates time and space for songwriting. It encourages writing with freeness and intention.

Songwriters will come together at Murphy’s Resort in Estes Park, Colorado, January 25-27th, and then spend the 28th in Lyons where they will record demos and perform.

Coaches, Clay Rose,  Daniel Rodriguez, Phoebe Hunt, and Charlie Rose, will lead you through this 3 1/2 day exploration. Jason Hicks will offer guitar workshops on Sunday, focusing on how to get the most out of your guitar when songwriting.

There will be about 30 participants split into two groups for workshop sessions. Each group spends time with one session in the morning, then in the afternoon they swap places to experience a different session with different coaches.

On Sunday, for our day in Lyons, participants are divided into smaller groups of 5 or 6 for recording and performing. There will be a rotating schedule that gives each group at least an hour at Animal Lane Studio to record a demo and perform a few songs at a Lyons venue. Last year, the demos were incredible and the experiences in the studio were magical!

Tuition covers dinner on Thursday evening, lunch on Friday and Saturday, a morning and afternoon workshop on Friday and Saturday, admission to the Listening Show on Saturday night when our coaches perform, and recording sessions on Sunday. Elective sessions are available for an extra tuition. Priority will be given to full-tuition attendees, but these workshops may open up to others at some point.

Lodging

Lodging should be made directly with Murphy's Resort by calling 970-480-2955 or by visiting https://www.murphysresort.com/

You may wish to make arrangements with another participant to share a room and save money. You are also welcome to invite your family to stay with you, though they may not be present at workshops unless they are participating songwriters.

Clay Rose was raised between an outlaw, truck-driving father in the mountains of Colorado and a country song-writing mama in the sticks outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Clay’s penchant for open roads and trouble making are the backbone of his songs.

Daniel Rodriguez

“I’m constantly learning about the art of life and songwriting.  One thing I know is the richness of life’s experiences is to songwriting as butter is to a French cook.  Interacting with the analogue world and with human nature and nature itself are midst requisites.  Let’s uncover some songs, or at the very least some intention based launch points.”

Phoebe Hunt

"I see music, and art in general, as an opportunity to interpret and transmute the experiences we collectively encounter as we journey through life."

Charlie Rose

“Everyone has a story to tell and that story can be delivered in a song. Sometimes the music is the starting point, other times the words tell you what the song will sound like. Either way, the goal is to take the seed of inspiration and put it in the right setting and nurture it to grow into something that you’re excited to share with others."

Jason Hicks

“Every song has a story, every story has a song, and every guitar has a voice that wants to sing along.”

Thursday

2:30 - 4:30 pm. Optional session with one of our coaches: Clay or Phoebe. Tuition is $75

6:00 pm. Welcome dinner in the Summitview House.

Friday

Continental breakfast available in the hotel breakfast room

9:30 - 10:15 Gather for a circle to start the day off right

10:30 - 12:30 Workshops

12:30 - 2:00 Lunch

2:00 - 4:00 Workshops

4:15 - 4:45 Closing Circle

4:15 - 4:45 Optional session with Daniel Rodriguez. Tuition is $75

Saturday

Continental breakfast available in the hotel breakfast room

9:45 - 10:15 Gather for a circle to start the day off right

10:30 -12:30 Workshops

12:30 - 1:45 Lunch

1:45 - 3:45 Workshops

4:00 - 4:30 Closing Circle

7:00 pm - Listening Show at Lonigan's. (Ticketed event covered by your tuition)

Sunday

All day in Lyons. Recording sessions at Animal Lane Studio with Dave O'Dell and scheduled performances at local venues.

Optional session with Jason Hicks (Blue Canyon Boys guitarist/songwriter). How to get the most out of your guitar for songwriting. Tuition is $75

The exact schedule is subject to change.

Sign up to cook or clean up for at least one meal (A Google form will be available after you register)