Cynthia D. Chambers
Nederland

Founding member of Elephant Revival and bassman Dango Rose was “diagnosed” with #hiatus during the spring of 2018. You can watch the video here, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uUecBymSRY&t=3s). It will explain everything. Now, being the resilient and always creative force that Dango is, he did not rest for long. The hiatus only launched yet another platform to provide endless music and art to the Colorado/Americana music scene.
As a seasoned musician, Dango knows the struggles of turning many ideas into a well-rounded presentable collection of music. This knowledge and natural ability to lead has inspired Dango to piece together his own vision into what has become Elephant Collective, an Artist Development Agency, Production House and Music Media Platform that is run by a team of professionals and creative souls. 

As Dango explains, “The production piece came natural, yet I didn’t realize at the time how much I would enjoy the Artist Development piece.”
He goes on to say, “Initially this involved mostly songwriting collaborations, yet very quickly transformed into Artist Empowerment Coaching.” Dango was inspired after attending the Unconventional Life Business Accelerator event in Bali this past November.

As a result, Elephant Collective has implemented “Mastermind.” This is an Artist Empowerment Program which is a 4-month immersion designed to accelerate the path of the artist. Artists will be encouraged to find their voice, and as a result, grow their own unique brand and fanbase with their music. Artists also gain the understanding and foundation of what it takes to be a professional artist. 

A couple months back, Elephant Collective put a call out for musicians to apply to the Mastermind Program. Among those accepted was Jalin Malin. Jalin had once been a resident of Nederland. While living in the mountains she played music and sold her art to locals and visitors for a living. Eventually, prompted by the floods, she traveled on and settled in New Orleans.

Jalin spent five years emmersed in the city and culture of what many refer to as the “dirty south” before finally landing in Marfa,Texas. Marfa is a small west Texas town with a long history and unexpected large concentration of artists. Her dream is to establish an artist in residency program and to finally publish some of the songs she has written through her life.

When asked how EC goes about accepting artists Dango replied, “The process of choosing artists has been an intricate one. “ He goes on to say, “Most importantly, there has to be a desire to learn, grow and thrive; in the artistic process itself and also in the commitment to professionalism.” He then explains, “this is directly related to writing, recording, collaborating and navigating the ever-changing music business.”

Jalin saw the announcement for the program online. Almost out of time she applied just days before the deadline. Once she saw the descritption of what the program offered, it stirred something inside of her that she could not let go of. She now sees an opportunity to reunite with the music she has missed so much, and the people that touched her along the way.

“There are so many songs I have recorded over the years that I wish to share with the world. However, as a songwriter and storyteller...so many more fall out of my pockets with every new step and experience.” Jalin says. She then adds, “I will always keep creating new songs, and hope to do so alongside Dango and the others.” She hopes to take away the full experience with a refreshed and renewed approach to her life as a poet and troubadour.

As Dango describes more about the program, “there will be a collaborative song share group throughout where all participants collaborate on snippets and song ideas.” This serves as a platform where Dango and a small team of production assistants offer real-time feedback to all current works.  The program results in a three day recording retreat at The Elephant Collective Studios in Boulder. And this is all really only the beginning.

All in all, being diagnosed with #hiatus isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a musician. 

Sometimes it ignites a new found path. Dango has found his which focuses on nurturing the artistic process of burgeoning creatives.  He ends with this, “doing so aligns with a core value of mine in professional work, that of surrendered leadership.  It is my honor to serve in this way.”
For more information on mastermind please visit  www.elephantcollective.agency/mastermind. If you would like to help Jalin in her musical journey and want to donate to her gofundme page, please visit @artist-empowerment-program.

Jalin Malin, artist and troubadore.