GOFFIN AND KING FOUNDATION

Desert Retreat Artists

What and When?

By invitation only! Goffin & King Foundation Songwriting Retreat, Oct 12-15, 2023 Joshua Tree, California
Reception dinner, at 7 PM please plan flights accordingly.

What and When?

Joshua Tree Retreat Center MAP
Event Timing: October 12th-15th, 2023
Event Address: 59700 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Contact us: at 760-469-9764
Or: contact@jtrcc.org

For more information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Featured Artists

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ADAM 

Mackintosh

Adam Mackintosh is a dedicated songwriter, educator, and collaborator with extensive performing and recording credits. His composition “Forbidden Fruit” continues to be performed by symphony orchestras worldwide and was featured on Le Bonheur (Storm Large), alongside the work of elite songwriters such as Tom Waits, and Cole Porter. Film credits for his music appear on the soundtracks of June Falling Down, Damaged Goods and Westbound. Mackintosh has been a strong advocate for alternative music education for nearly 20 years, and is the author of The Mackintosh Music Method. His curriculum, inclusive mindset and approach to collaborative song creation offer unique insights to musicians beyond traditional instruction.
Musical note for Goffin and king

AIMEE

AIMEE is a singer and multi platinum songwriter who has worked with a variety of artists including Kelly Clarkson, Fifth Harmony, Joe Cocker, Halestorm, Amy Lee, Christina Aguilera and Jordin Sparks. Her songs have been featured in a wide array of Film/TV including The Boys (Amazon), Best Man Holiday (Universal), Ugly Dolls (STX) etc. As an artist, she debuted with the Billboard Top 10 Dance Hit, “Beautiful Life”. Her single “Where Love is…” served as the end title of the motion picture, My Favorite Girlfriend (Saban). AIMEE is currently residing in Los Angeles writing and recording her first solo EP.

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ANDREA WITTGENS

Common wisdom in the entertainment business dictates if you can’t describe it in two sentences, go back to the boards and refine your pitch. However, those experienced and well traveled in the business know that in truth, it’s the ones that you can’t describe easily that are the true and lasting artists. New York City-based alt-pop artist Andrea Wittgens is surely one of those artists. Armed with witty yet disarmingly honest lyrics and a voice that simply soars, Wittgens creates songs that are refreshingly unique and infectiously accessible. Compared to artists as varied as Regina Spector, PJ Harvey and Aimee Mann, she is a sonic shapeshifter. Over the course of her career, Andrea has written and released over 150 songs, toured extensively throughout North America, recorded with Grammy-nominated producers, and had her songs woven into Disney movies and network TV shows.

A passionate teacher, she is committed to spreading the joy of songwriting and recording with her young students. Originally from small town Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Andrea’s earliest stage training was in classical piano and modern dance. She followed her studies all the way to a Music degree at Queen’s University but always felt the pull to the noise wafting out the coffeehouses and basement clubs. Eventually moving to Seattle in the mid-90’s, she cut her teeth as front woman or pop band Sugartown with whom she released EP “Blue-Eyed Fool” and critically acclaimed album “How Do You Love, Aquamarine?” By the new millennium, Andrea was ready to step out on her own. She had also caught the attention of Grammy producer Bob Power (Erykah Badu, Tribe Called Quest) and in 2006 he produced her first solo album “Alibi”. The EP and Andrea’s instantly arresting voice garnered excited reviews both in the Northwest and in her new home of New York City where she performed to packed houses on the lower east side. Shortly after, in 2008, she followed up with “In The Skyline”, a 12-song ode to escapism in a more emotionally visceral live band setting thanks to rock producer Johnny Sangster (Young Fresh Fellows, Mudhoney). The album also includes fan favorite “Comme tu veux” an original song written in her second language of French. In 2010, Andrea was invited to The Holiday Music Motel in Sturgeon Bay, WI by Grammy-nominated songwriter pAt mAcDonald (Timbuk3) for an ambitious annual songwriting festival. Steel Bridge Songfest, along with its sister festivals Dark Songs and Love On Holiday, drew artists from all over the world including Jackson Browne and Jane Weidlan (The Gogos), Eric McFadden (P-Funk) and many others. Based on a wholly unique “spin-the bottle” process of matching writers, the one-of-a-kind festival, housed in a renovated 1950s motel, now boasts over 1000 original songs and it’s own radio station. Over the past 12 years of it’s existence, Andrea has been a major contributor, co-writing and performing on over 30 compilations. In 2016, she released two EPs of her favorite collaborations from the festivals. “Girl In A Box”, produced by Grammy-nominated producer Geoff Stanfield weaves darker lyrical material into cinematic soundscapes while sister EP “Grace”, produced by longtime collaborator Vincent Gates, explores the spiritual realm with more lush gospel-infused instrumentation. As for most artists, The COVID-19 pandemic brought isolation and an unexpected pause to collaborative projects. For the first time in over a decade, Andrea re-immersed herself in deeply personal solo writing. The result was a remarkable canon of deeply personal new works to be released on a full length album recorded in Joshua Tree with vocal producer Ainjel Emme (John Legend, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Concurrently, she is working on an EP of solo piano recordings from live sessions in Milwaukee as well as full band album with Atlanta rock darlings The Steady Wicked. Andrea also recently stepped into the world of film scoring when she teamed up with fellow songwriters Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden to compose music for writer director Lena Kaminsky’s award winning short film “Little Mouse.” To listen to music, watch videos and read more about Andrea Wittgens please visit www.andreawittgens.com. Follow her Instagram @andreawittgens) and Facebook at facebook.com/andreawittgensmusic
Elijah Wells is an artist, musician, and producer from Los Angeles who primarily makes alternative pop music.

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AUBREN ELAINE

Aubren Elaine is a female songwriter and music producer with a passion for creating captivating melodies and rhythms that resonate with the soul. Drawing inspiration from timeless legends in jazz, soul and R&B, she sets out to create unique compositions that transcend boundaries and resonate with every listener her music reaches. Aubren’s journey began in her teenage years when she found inspiration and self-expression through music. Along the way, she faced challenges in an industry predominantly dominated by men, but she never allowed societal norms to impede on her spirit or deter her ambitions. 

Her vision as a musician goes beyond just creating songs; Aubren strives to build meaningful collaborations and relationships with every artist she works with. Her studio becomes a sanctuary where creative minds have the freedom to explore – share ideas, stories, and emotions – all within a supportive and creatively driven atmosphere. Recognizing the power that music holds, Aubren Elaine’s mission is to empower emerging artists, especially women, to find their voices and leave a lasting mark on the world through their art. She firmly believes that by simply creating an environment of equality, community and mutual respect, the music industry can reach new levels of innovation and inspiration. With a relentless dedication to her craft and an open, compassionate heart, Aubren dives into uncharted sonic territories, willing to experiment and push the boundaries of sound. Her journey is a testament to the strength of passion and perseverance, as she paves the way for a future where the art of music knows no limits.

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BILLY HARVEY

“Billy Harvey is the most famous person you’ve never heard of.” — AJ Croce. His pursuit of “the dream” started at 17, when he left his Chicago home in a VW van bound for northern California. After living out of his van for six months—eating cheese sandwiches and oranges he picked off of neighborhood trees—he eventually found his break, joining the popular Bay Area glam-band Flame on guitar. The band put out two records before breaking up, the second of which was released on a Warner Bros imprint called Giant. Since then, he has worked steadily as a musician, accompanying the likes of Patty Griffin, Kim Richey, The Forest Rangers, and The Courtyard Hounds. 

He’s been the recipient of the International Songwriters Award for Best Rock Song “Frozen Through,” and he broke into the Top 100 on the CMJ charts with his hauntingly soulful release Bearsick . A caffeine-addled do-it-yourselfer, Billy has translated this well of experience into a career of quietly directing, editing, animating, recording, and producing everything in sight. He’s produced records for artists like Crystal Bowersox (finalist on season nine of American Idol ), Charlie Mars, Bob Schneider, Pat Byrne (winner of the first series of The Voice of Ireland ), Salim Nourallah, Slaid Cleaves, and Steve Poltz, to name a few. As a writer, his work is just as far-reaching: without knowing it, you’ve probably heard his work leaking through your speakers in TV shows, commercials, movies, and even Super Bowl 50. You’ve probably never heard of Billy Harvey, but you should. For booking inquiries, please contact: harveysongs@mac.com Discography: EP More Happy Than Sad, 2002 LP Toast, 2003 LP Pie, 2004 LP Bearsick, 2007 LP Grow Garden Grow, 2008 DVD Everywhere Now, 2008 LP The Everlasting War, 2009 LP Dear Danger, 2015 LP Elephants in the Room, 2017 LP The Arsonist, 2018 LP Bullseye, 2021
The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” ― Hunter S. Thompson If you were me growing up, you’d know you couldn’t throw a rock five feet without hitting a high achiever in the world of songwriting. It was sink or swim. Like a salmon leaping against a the current of a waterfall, I am grateful to be part of a community of songwriters and troubadours, like-minded artists with a growth mindset, continuing their art and self-expression long after the days of rock stardom glory vanished with the advent of streaming. Grateful to be part of the desert community of artists and musicians. Summer of 2023 I released a single recorded in Muscle Shoals, co-written with legendary musician and songwriter Spooner Oldham “Everybody’s Got A Story To Tell” recorded with a live band the night the song was written. Following its release and out of the box successful radio campaign while visiting to play a house concert in the Scottish highlands, I had the opportunity to perform at Scotland’s premier summer music event, the Belladrum Festival. “Detour (The Great Unknown)” co-written with poetic and prolific English singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams is scheduled for release this fall, followed next year by the live favorite, “Playbook”. My yet untitled 11th album is coming out 2024. Song Chronicles, a podcast I host and produce l, featuring conversations with songwriters and musicians (from the relaxed perspective of an afternoon hangout being the scenes) has released nearly 30 episodes. If you haven’t yet, check it out! From Sam Hollander to Gail Ann Dorsey, Desmond Childs to Dave Davies of the Kinks, It’s been a labor of love, only sustainable because the conversations themselves are inspired and educational. I am blessed to spend my time between Los Angeles and Yucca Valley.

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BRUCE BUTKOVICH

Performer | Artist | Songwriter | Producer | Engineer | Multi-Instrumentalist : Atlanta GA
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CAITLIN VAUGHN

Caitlin Vaughn Carlos is a writer, musician and educator specializing in the art of song. As Head of Education and Outreach for the Goffin and King Foundation, she is dedicated to bringing songwriting and music educational opportunities to students and communities of all backgrounds and experience. She is the Founder of Music Universe, and has taught music history and song analysis at UCLA, Chapman University, and the University of Redlands. Caitlin holds a PhD in musicology from UCLA, as well as several degrees in vocal performance. Caitlin embraces all aspects of her identity as a writer – from prose to song. She specializes in popular and rock music, especially that of the sixties and seventies, with a focus on understanding how songs function and make meaning for both songwriters and audiences. She brings that knowledge and passion into her own voice as a songwriter.

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CARLEY BAER

Carley Baer is a songwriter, music educator, and multi-instrumentalist currently living in Portland, OR. After over a decade of performing on stages around the country and across the pond, she took a break from performing to pursue a degree in music education from Portland State University, which she completed (with honors!) in 2023. Part of her undergraduate studies involved a senior thesis, which she dedicated to the study of songwriting and creativity and can be read here (https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/honorstheses/1343/). As an extension of her thesis, she started Bad Song Club to encourage other writers, both established and aspiring, to practice their creativity.

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CLAIRE WADSWORT

“Claire finds inspiration in the desert and at her restaurant, La Copine, it’s her ‘storytelling laboratory’…On the surface, she’s checking reservations and greeting customers, but, behind the eyes, she’s a collector of anything she can use in her songs.”— BENJAMIN GOULET, FOR DESERT MAGAZINE

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CURTIS MAY

Curtis May is a songwriter who left his job in computer programming to focus on music. With eclectic tastes ranging from keyboard-based rock to a love of 80s rock-pop and EDM music, he recently discovered the joys of collaboration. Having scored a 10-minute experimental dance piece, he’s interested in creating more experimental music both as instrumentals and with vocals. The opportunity to participate in this songwriting retreat came with auspicious timing while betting on himself to hone his songwriting skills, collaborating with other students in a masterclass last August that led him to write the crowd-stomping anthem, “Let’s Burn The Midnight Oil” (Music by Curtis May, lyrics by Robert Salazar).

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DYLAN CHAMBERS

Dylan Chambers is an LA based singer, songwriter and guitarist rooted in pop, soul and funk. Since 2020, he has released over a dozen singles as a solo artist which he co-produced with longtime friend and musical collaborator, Stefan Lit (Andy Grammer, Boyz II Men). After relocating to LA from Texas, Dylan hit the road as a featured vocalist/guitarist on the national Dancing with the Stars tour in 2014, playing such venues as the Ryman Auditorium, Nokia Theater, etc.

Throughout the years, he has shared the stage with Haley Reinhart (American Idol), Sabrina Carpenter, Brett Young, Steven Tyler, Alice Cooper and Three Dog Night. He has been seen performing with numerous artists on the Today Show, Radio Disney Music Awards, Hallmark’s Home and Family, etc. As a solo artist, Dylan has released collaborative singles with Cory Wong (Vulfpeck), G. Love and Special Sauce and Alex Lambert. He also headlined the RipTide stage at the 2021 BeachLife Festival in SoCal. His songs have been hi lighted in such outlets as American Songwriter, Earmilk, SoulTracks, mxdown, Glide Magazine and was featured on Spotify’s “Retro Soul”, “Nu-Funk”, “Blues Roots” and “Nu-Disco” editorial playlists. Dylan will be releasing his first compilation album “It’s Time For Dylan Chambers!” with acclaimed Japanese record label, P-Vine, before the end of the year. He’s also preparing for the 2024 release of his debut EP which features collaborations with LunchMoney Lewis and Dave Koz.

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ELIJAH WELLS

Elijah Wells is an artist, musician, and producer from Los Angeles who primarily makes alternative pop music.

Musical note for Goffin and king

GAIL ANN
DORSEY

Gail Ann Dorsey is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist with a unique and impressive career in mainstream and independent music spanning over three decades. Most widely known as one of the music world’s most influential, sought after and endearing bass guitar players, Gail is equally revered for her outstanding vocal talent, contributing her dynamic voice to many of the industry’s top artists as well as her own solo recordings and live performances. By far the most notable GAD vocal pairing is her show-stopping duet with music legend David Bowie on the Queen/Bowie classic “Under Pressure”.

Dorsey occupied the bass guitar chair in David Bowie’s touring bands from 1995 to 2004. As well as on studio albums ‘Earthling’, ‘Reality’ and ‘The Next Day’, she can be heard on several live Bowie recordings currently released for the first time on Spotify, including the posthumous releases of the Bowie studio albums ‘Toy’ and box set ‘Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001)’. Aside from her long tenure with David Bowie, Gail has recorded and toured the world with a variety of artists whose music spans a wide range of genres. From folksinger-activist Dar Williams to British crooner Seal, soulful songstress Joan Osborne to pop icon Gwen Stefani, Brit post punk pioneers The Gang Of Four to the sophisticated pop stylings of Tears For Fears, celebrated indie band The National, and one of Gail’s personal favourites, Olivia Newton-John, Dorsey has delivered her solid, signature bass style and vocals as a prominent feature to these artists and many more around the globe. From 2011 to 2019, Dorsey held the position as bass player in the touring line-up of soul-pop-rocker, Lenny Kravitz. As bassist and featured vocalist, GAD has been most recently been on tour and collaborating with the artist “-M-“; the alter ego emblem for French superstar guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer, and award-winning composer, Matthieu Chedid. Following the -M- 2022-2023 ‘Rêvalité’ Tour of 150 concerts dates throughout France and beyond that winds down in September of this year, Gail will once again direct her focus on writing, recording, and releasing a much anticipated and long awaited new solo project in the coming months.

Gail Ann Dorsey
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HAL ROSENFELD

Hal Rosenfeld is equal-parts composer, music producer, percussionist, and orchestrator whose work can be heard in nearly 200 films, television shows, and video games. Hailed for his extreme versatility, creativity, and expansive production across all genres, Hal has been involved with projects that have garnered Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar recognition, including “The Greatest Showman,” “Fosse/Verdon,” “In the Heights,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and “A Very British Scandal”.

He is prominently featured on blockbuster soundtracks such as “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Meg 2” “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” “Fortnite,” “The Adam Project,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” and groundbreaking Netflix series “The Witcher”. He currently co-scores NBC’s highly acclaimed prime time sitcom “American Auto”. TV Guide and AV Club noted his musical dance numbers in “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” as the Showtime series highlight. As a composer and music producer, Hal is becoming known for his ability to create new sound palettes and masterfully camouflage into any genre of music. Orchestrating, his work is heard in “No Hard Feelings,” “Mulan” (2020), “Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget,” Pixar’s “Cars on the Road,” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3”. Working outside of film and television, Hal has appeared with Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Engelbert Humperdinck, Imogen Heap, Cuco, Daveed Diggs, as well as on albums that total millions of unit sales and over 1 billion Spotify streams, globally. He has performed on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” at Coachella, and is currently the music director to Columbia Records artist Rosa Linn, who opened on Ed Sheeran’s “Mathematics Tour” (2023). Hal currently lives in Los Angeles, where he once made prolonged eye contact with Emma Watson at a party.

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Ian Janco

Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer Ian Janco’s passion and dedication to music has taken him on quite the journey. Born and raised in the remote wilderness of Idaho’s Rocky Mountains, Janco began making music at an early age. With a sound akin to the raw emotion of Ray LaMontagne, the catchy folk-pop melodies of the Lumineers, and the ambiance of early Bon Iver, Ian has a knack for vivid lyrics, lush production and memorable choruses. Having honed his craft as a performer in venues around the UK, he’s supported acts such as Emmylou Harris, Ward Thomas, Isaac Gracie, Lauren Daigle and Wildwood Kin. His music has garnered impressive play counts across platforms, aired on Radio 2, BBC Radio London, Radio Merseyside, and featured in numerous publications including Wonderland, Clash and Acoustic Magazine.

As a songwriter, he has penned songs for a wide range of artists such as JP Cooper, Victor Perry, Ross Quinn and Maisi. His compositions for Film & TV have aired on programs around the world, and he continues to explore different creative outlets, including scoring the soon-to-be released short film “The Botanists”. Janco is now getting back in touch with his American roots, with new music is coming soon.

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JIMM MCIVER

Raised in the vibrant city of Seattle, power-pop veteran Jimm McIver possesses an innate talent for crafting infectious hooks and conjuring whimsical lyrics. A product of the dynamic landscape of the Pacific Northwest, McIver’s musical tapestry draws varied inspiration from artists like The Beatles, Queen, Elvis Costello, and Robyn Hitchcock. His songs often serve as narratives from the perspective of an unreliable narrator, seamlessly interwoven with lighthearted guitar-driven melodies. McIver’s journey has seen him evolve from honing his craft through live performances on Seattle’s most iconic stages to a more recent focus on the intricacies of writing and recording. 

Notably, McIver’s musical odyssey has led him to co-writing with industry veterans such as Walter Salas-Humara (The Silos), Eric McFadden (P-Funk, Eric Burdon, and Sergeant Splendor), and James Hall (Pleasure Club, The Ladies of…). Jimm is thrilled to release his new track, “I Wanna Go Where You Go”. Scheduled for release in September 2023, this single marks his return after five-plus years and will be followed by several tracks over the next few months, leading up to his full-length release “Off You Go” in early 2024. For inquiries, media engagements, and updates regarding the upcoming release, connect with Jimm McIver at papa.teebyrd@gmail.com or 206-227-4495.

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LOUISE GOFFIN

Crafting magical tunes, hosting epic conversations, and raising the next-gen music legends. 🌟👏 🎙️

First signed to Elektra as a teenager after opening for Jackson Browne at Doug Weston’s iconic Troubadour, later signed by Lenny Waronker to Dreamworks, her 2002 album “Sometimes A Circle” earned raves, followed by the eclectic “Bad Little Animals.”

Switching hats, Louise took to producing a Grammy-nominated album for Carole King, “A Holiday Carole,” and integrated that role into working with legendary players on a string of albums of her own: “Songs From The Mine” (“Goffin understands the importance of keeping everything simple, from the music to the sentiments expressed.” – Pop Matters), AppleonFire (“a beautiful sonic tribute to her father” – No Depression),” All These Hellos (“Goffin has mastered the art of songwriting, crafting an album of multi-layered, melodious songs with expert production. It’s exactly the kind of accomplished record you’d expect from the daughter of the iconic duo Carole King and Gerry Goffin.” – CultureFly), and Two Different Movies (“prime singer-songwriter fare; one in which each selection kicks in quickly and,…never overstays its welcome.” – American Songwriter).

“Everybody’s Got A Story To Tell,” her summer single, teases her 2024 album.

She’s not just a music maestro; she’s a podcast pro too. Hosting “Song Chronicles,” she chats with music’s finest. Louise also mentors songwriters, urging them to dig deep.

At home, creativity flows through generations. Her sons join the musical journey, with Hayden singing on her upcoming single “Detour (The Great Unknown),” co-written with the prolific & poetic Liverpool-born singer/songwriter Kathryn Williams and mixed by Elijah Wells.

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MALENA CADIZ

Malena Cadiz is a lady of the canyon waylaid at a suburban strip mall, acutely aware of how romance shines through even in the moments of grit and desolation. There’s something Didion-esque about Cadiz’s storytelling as she crafts deeply personal vignettes that reveal greater narratives about the world we live in. The 10 songs on her 3rd full length album, Hellbent & Moonbound are full of wit and vulnerability, capturing the strange beauty and humor of day to day life.

Growing up a second-generation Filipino-American, Cadiz bounced between living in the suburbs of Michigan with her mother and bustling Singapore with her father. “I always felt rootless, not quite belonging to either place.” This longing for home and search for center rests at the heart of Cadiz’s work. American Songwriter has likened her work to early Emmylou or Bob Dylan and NPR compared her to “an earthbound Joanna Newsom, Cadiz has a voice that grabs you within seconds.” Cadiz has released 3 albums to date and toured the U.S and Europe. Her songs have been featured on “Nancy Drew” (CW), “Lucifer” (NETFLIX), “REBEL” (ABC) and “BULL” (CBS). Her work has also been praised by The Fader, PASTE, Vogue.com, Stereogum and CMT Edge.

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RILEY WAY

Riley Way is a singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles. Currently studying Dramatic Arts at USC, she has released singles, recorded BV’s with John Doe, Cat Power, Dave Carpenter, as well as the theme song for the Mayans TV series. She’s performed on stage with Creed Bratton of The Office fame. She continues to write and release material while finishing her studies.

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ROBIN AUGUST

Born and raised in Nashville TN, RobinAugust has spent the majority of her life funneling her personal experiences into art. Her aggressively raw lyrics and passion-driven melodies place her at the perfect intersection of indie-pop and alternative rock. In 2022, RobinAugust released her debut album “Avocado Head” during her second year at Berklee College of music. She has since moved back to Nashville to pursue music full time and play with her side project; folk rock trio, “Eve’s Curse.”

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SCOT SAX

I grew up in Plymouth Meeting, a suburb of Philadelphia, born into a family marked by tragedy. The loss of my brother Todd in a hit-and-run accident drove my parents to have another child, which is how I came into the world, with the mission to bring laughter back to our heartbroken home.

At the tender age of 7, I discovered my love for music, drumming on any flat surface I could find. My parents recognized my passion and bought me a drum set. My older brother Jeff, who was 7 years my senior, introduced me to the world of music, exposing me to iconic artists like The Beatles and David Bowie. By age 13, I was captivated by Bob Dylan, prompting me to trade my drums for a guitar and dive into songwriting.

Amidst the backdrop of a troubled family history, I immersed myself in unconventional movies, indie art films, and a love for drawing. Music remained my constant companion, and I pursued it relentlessly. Songwriting became my outlet, allowing me to express my emotions, from anger to happiness and sadness.

Trading my drums for an acoustic guitar felt like finding a best friend, and I quickly grasped the art of songcraft. I started performing in folk and rock clubs, ultimately leading to a record deal with RCA for my band Wanderlust in 1995. Our song ‘I Walked’ became a sensation, and we toured the U.S. and Canada, even opening for The Who.

My career continued to blossom as I signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Studios, with highlights such as my song ‘(I Am) The Summertime’ appearing in the film ‘American Pie’ and receiving a Gold Record. I co-wrote a Grammy-winning song for Faith Hill, and in 2009, I had the honor of opening for Robert Plant, Allison Krauss, and T-Bone Burnette on their Raising Sand Tour.

My passion for film also emerged, leading to the creation of documentaries and short films. Notable works include a documentary about singer-songwriters and a fictional short film, ‘Playback Is A Bitch,’ which received multiple awards. My current project, ‘This Is Major,’ is a documentary about a young hip-hop artist who tragically took his own life, gaining recognition in international documentary film festivals.

In addition to filmmaking, I create videos for various musicians and bands, bringing together my love for music and film. My journey has been shaped by my upbringing, resulting in a unique blend of artistic expression that continues to evolve.

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TEMME SCOTT

“It’s literally just f**king songs!”
Temme Scott is unpretentious. Based in Los Angeles, Scott doesn’t shy away from rawness. Her candid lyrics and folk-pop influenced singer-songwriter melodies fuse with gritty intonation and soulful but tender vocals to reveal something hiding in plain sight. Vulnerability is her biggest strength, but she’s also, in her own words, “really just trying to have a good time.”

Today, Scott navigates the LA music scene with the levity of someone entering a room full of old friends — usually because that’s exactly what she’s doing. She’s held multiple residencies locally in LA; in February 2020, she held a month-long residency at the Bootleg Theater, where she performed alongside a weekly lineup of local musicians, most of whom would at some point call up a friend or two from the audience to join them onstage. In 2023, Temme hosted a weekly series of local songwriters at Club Tee Gee. In keeping with this DIY collaborative spirit, Scott hosts Silverhouse Songs, a self-curated house show series in east LA.
Scott’s music evokes the earnestness of a child playing in a sandbox — though with markedly more adult themes. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, to get dust under her fingernails, so long as she’s being honest with all of us about what she makes and what she feels.
Scott released her first full length album, “Trust You, Trust You,” in September 2020, her second EP, “A Total Shame!” in May 2022, and a 3rd EP “July” in February 2023.
Charlotte Umanoff
additions by Libby Hsieh

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VINCENT GATES

Vincent Gates is an American singer-songwriter. His mesmerizing style, which fuses elements of Americana, Pop, and Folk Tronica, is described as innovative and reminiscent of past musical forms. Armed with a bounty of exquisitely crafted songs at once playful and beautifully honest and a mastery of guitar tones and textures, Vincent’s live performances are veritable sonic adventures.

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YSA FERNANDEZ

Artist, producer, singer, and songwriter, YSA has been a silent heavy hitter, producing music out of her home studio in Nashville. One of her songs “Who By Fire” (a Leonard Cohen cover) was recently placed in the feature film, “Golda”. She has also had songs featured on Netflix, Hulu, NBC, ABC, CW Plus, MTV , VH1 & Lifetime. Most recently, Ysa had a song called, “What You Need” featured in a Sephora Ad. With the release of her newest single, “Shed Those Tears” Ysa gives us a lo-fi soul sampled play on what it’s like to miss someone when they’re not around. She has also collaborated with audio tech company, OUTPUT, on multiple vocal packs for their plug-in Arcade within the “HOOKED” line.

Frequently Asked Questions

We suggest each participant bring their own instrument, however we will have a limited amount of keyboards and laptop recording with DAW interface for Logic and Protools and monitors.

Our event is all about celebrating diversity in talent and music. You’ll encounter a rich blend of participants, ranging from super accomplished artists who have achieved remarkable milestones in their careers to emerging talents who are just beginning their musical journey. We firmly believe that diversity is the key to unlocking surprising and unique outcomes in music. By bringing together a community of musicians at different stages of their careers, we aim to create a space where collaboration and fusion can occur, making us collectively greater than the sum of our individual parts.Get ready to be inspired by the incredible mix of artists who will be joining us for this extraordinary musical experience.

If you want to provide your own transportation and accommodation, we are fine with that though events require you to be part of all of our meal gatherings and songwriting sessions. We include free time each day for you to work on finishing any songs you choose to work on or rehearse for performing.

Guests are welcome to buy tickets to the final performance Saturday night. The event itself is exclusively for invited songwriters and staff, with the exception of songwriters who are minors accompanied by an adult. If you want to recommend a songwriter or songwriters to us, we welcome you to do so. The sooner the better as space is limited.

We have limited scholarships for those who can’t afford it and for whom it would be a lifetime opportunity to attend. We look at each application for financial help with level of need. We have already negotiated the cost of accommodation and food to be lower than the market rate to make it easier for invitees to attend. In cases where even our discounted rates are still cost-prohibitive, we try to provide 50% scholarships, believing that an attendee’s participation in the event is healthiest when equally matched. 100% scholarships are reserved for those in situations where talent and circumstance requires immediate nurturance and without our assistance they would not have an opportunity to attend a retreat like this.

Palm Springs. We will be providing a shuttle service to pick up guests arriving on Thursday afternoon and again back to the airport on Sunday after breakfast. If you need to make special arrangements, please get in touch with Ian. ian@thegoffinkingfoundation.org

The Goffin-King Foundation is having our songwriting retreat alongside The Chimaera Project, a non-profit whose overarching goal is to inspire confidence in hiring more women and nonbinary creatives. Statistics prove that current hiring practices in the arts have a tangible creative and economic impact on families and our communities. Through the ability to network and connect with independent filmmakers and songwriter/artist/performers during meals and gatherings we feel we further add to the fertile possibilities of new projects and collaborations. https://www.chimaeraproject.org/

Bobby is a beloved friend and assemblage artist, and Furstwurld, a non-profit, has become a secret desert destination for performing artists and musicians. He was recently shut down for having public events and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to hold a private event there.
We ask you not to post on social media as he is under strict instructions to not promote any event until he obtains permission from the county to resume his not- for-profit performances.
https://www.furstwurld.org/

Please tell us your dietary preferences and we will have a rich array of menu options.

Yes! We have access to the Joshua Tree Retreat’s Pool. Please bring a bathing suit!

We do our best to allow everyone to participate in the show. Sometimes there are too many amazing new songs and we want to keep the show under three hours, so not every new song is ensured a place. By forming bands usually everyone gets to be on stage at least once. The filmmakers will also be showing shorts during Saturday’s performance, making it a diverse multi-media event. For this show, once we have a ticket link, we encourage you to post and let people know. It will be a magical night!

Email Ian and let him know.

Running costs are kept to an absolute minimum, our staff is made up of volunteers, however there are costs that deplete our funding and we are not active marketeers of fundraising events. Therefore we greatly appreciate whatever tax-deductible support we receive to help us with our mission and educational programs. 

https://thegoffinkingfoundation.org/donate/

This event is a networking collaborative event, inspiring excellence in songwriting and performance for all of its attendees, inspired by the legacy of Gerry Goffin and Carole King’s work. It is not an instructional retreat, however we do have programs to assist with music and songwriting instruction to schools in need.