(bright music) - [Announcer] This is a production of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

(bright music) (energetic music) ♪ Hey ♪ (energetic music) (energetic music) (audience applauding) - Welcome to Levitt In Your Living Room.

I am your host Apolonia Davalos.

We love the people that bring us here today.

So, first, a sincere thank you to Dan and Arlene Kirby, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation.

Levitt Shell Sioux Falls is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities.

Presenting a broad array of musical genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues bring together families, friends, neighbors of all ages and backgrounds.

Learn more at levitt.org.

Now, are you feeling dangerous?

(laughs) A vision to behold, whether performing as a solo act or quartet, seductive instrumental folk band Superior Siren unleashes ethereal waves into their open diary.

A story still untold out of darkness into light, lured into the studio, we surrender our hearts to the Siren of Lake Superior Laura Sellner who is Superior Siren.

(audience applauding) Laura, welcome to the studio.

(audience applauding) Thank you for being (audience applauding) with us today.

(audience applauding) - Thank you for having me.

- When I think of Siren, I think of "Jason and the Argonauts."

On the quest for the golden fleece, and then on their journey, have this hindrance from the Sirens, half bird, half woman (laughs) luring them to destruction, which is frightening.

So, how did mythology enter into your creativity, your passion and the origins of your band name?

- Well, it starts with my connection to water and growing up next to Lake Superior, swimming in the lake always.

I have felt like a mermaid.

I'm also a Pisces.

So that's tied into it.

And the mythological creature is alluring but dangerous.

And that really suits the music that I'm trying to make.

It is haunting, eerie, but also very beautiful.

- I love that.

I love this balance between haunting and beautiful because life is both things.

I would like to start off too by saying today August 7th is a very special day.

And I would like to dedicate this program to your mother Linda Ross Sellner.

Can you share with us her story and why today is important to you?

- Yeah, so today would have been my mother's 67th birthday.

And she was a very positive influence in my life.

We were very close.

She was a stubborn, strong woman, also environmentalist.

So, she really instilled a connection to nature in me.

And I think that inspired my connection to water.

And I often write about personal connections and relationships because I feel like those are our greatest teachers in life.

And like you said, writing about the good and the bad, the balance, I think that without darkness, you can't have light.

And yeah, today would have been her 67th birthday.

And in 2018, she died of a brain tumor.

And that was a very life-changing event for me and for my whole family.

And I wrote this song about her after an argument on the phone.

And there's a lyric in the song that says, "The time has come when the brain breaches connection."

And that almost was like a premonition of what was to come because a couple of years later after writing the song, she was diagnosed with brain cancer.

And that was a really hard time.

It's a pretty ugly way to go.

And so, after her passing, the song "For Mother" became a dedication to her.

And we also created a music video for that song and dedicated that to her.

And so, today to be performing, I feel I would not be here without her influence and without her bringing me into the world.

And so, I want to dedicate the show to my mom.

- And before we listen, "For Mother" will be the first song we get into today, you wrote a couple of poems for her as well.

And may you share those with us?

- Yes.

Yeah, I will share those.

So yeah, the grieving process is never ending.

And these I wrote I think during or shortly after she passed.

"All of a sudden, she's not there.

Six months go by, she loses her mind and the whole time you're wondering when she will die.

He listened to her breathing, he listened to her sleeping and all the while your heart is breaking from the loss of relationship, the loss of your mother's life, the solid figure who has always been there, created you in her uterus, let you out of the womb, raised you, scolded you, wanted the best for you.

And now she's gone and you feel alone like you don't have a mother anymore.

(paper rustling) I strive to be present, but the present moment is way too frightening, too real, too sad.

I lean on those around me who have strength to hold me up.

I find comfort in whiskey and yoga and men.

Your eyes had this distant glaze life was leaving you.

And I couldn't tell if it was the pain meds or the brain tumor, but I hoped you could hear me.

I have cried multiple times in the kitchen this week thinking of you and how you used to be.

I once sat at your bedside and played with your hair and face.

I now sit at your bedside and watch you die.

(paper rustling) And I wonder, where will the mother's love go?

And I finally felt that I needed to love myself, every part, every past, and I will love my lovers more, I will love my children more, and I will love you more."

- Wow.

There is such a divine sacred connection between mother and daughter.

And for those of us who are fortunate enough to have that, I feel like I see a great woman through you and through what you wrote and shared with us today.

And so, that is not an easy thing.

So, thank you for letting us in to hear about this relationship and her life through you.

- Yes.

Well, thank you for holding space for that.

It's appreciated.

- Yes.

So, thank you.

And in honor of Linda Ross Sellner, let's listen to "For mother."

(audience applauding) (gentle music) (gentle music) ♪ I called you just to say hello ♪ ♪ I called you to see how it goes ♪ ♪ And the time has come ♪ ♪ When the brain breaches connection ♪ ♪ And I tried to speak but the words I said ♪ ♪ They got blown away ♪ ♪ I called you just to say hello ♪ ♪ I called you to tell you I love you ♪ (gentle music) ♪ You're the only one who understands me ♪ ♪ Even the times I could not relate ♪ ♪ Your guidance does shine through me ♪ ♪ And your sacrifice for all our mistakes ♪ ♪ I called you just to say hello ♪ ♪ I called you to tell you I love you ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Your voice is like an arrow ♪ ♪ And your laughter brings me to tears ♪ ♪ Your cheeks are warm and friendly ♪ ♪ And your eyes dart through my fears ♪ ♪ I called you just to say hello ♪ ♪ I called you to see how it goes ♪ ♪ And whatever you see in the way ♪ ♪ It is not worth the time ♪ ♪ Oh, such precious time is just passing by ♪ ♪ I called you just to say hello ♪ ♪ I called you to tell you I love you ♪ (gentle music) (audience applauding) - Thank you so much.

(audience applauding) - I love the song so very much, and I just love how whatever we go through in life, if we allow it to ourselves to be vulnerable and authentic in this way and through you for music, it can just continue to enrich people's lives and hopefully let us all reflect to have deeper and meaningful relationships with people that we love, whoever that may be.

So, you have an all-female band.

How important was that to you especially as fellow Sirens?

- Yeah, so the all-women band definitely fits the Siren theme.

The mythical creatures on the rocks luring sailors to their death.

However, I worked with many different musicians throughout the years and worked with men and learned a lot through them and appreciated that.

However, I started to find out what kind of sound I wanted to really make.

And I met cellist Rachel Gobin.

We worked together.

And I thought that the cello would fit really well with this eerie music I was trying to make.

And so I brought her in, and then she was already working with Emma Deaner on a different project.

She's a drummer with minimal setup, and I thought that would work well.

And so, once us three got together, we thought it was best to seek out a female bass player.

And many people recommended this across.

And thankfully she was available and willing, and she joined and it became a really wonderful, loving collective.

- And there's a lot of like women empowerment.

This message underlying through your music and what you write.

Is that correct to say?

- Yes.

Yeah, I think that being an all-female band is pretty unique, and hopefully that changes throughout time.

Hopefully it won't be so unique.

And I especially love to connect with younger women and inspire them to follow their dreams.

There's often little girls at shows who stand right in front of the stage and meet us afterwards and are very excited.

And that is really moving for us because we want young women to feel like they can play music and they can do what we're doing.

- And you recorded your first full album together at the Sacred Heart Music Center.

And I think that's a venue you continue to frequent and you recorded some music videos there.

What does that space mean to you and other artists, especially being so integral through your journey?

- Well, Sacred Heart is an old church.

And so, I feel like it has like this lingering holiness to it.

And it's a beautiful structure inside.

And the acoustics are amazing.

And so, we have performed there many times throughout the years, and it really suits our sound well with the strings and the minimal drum kit.

And when I sing in there, my voice just carries so beautifully and it really enhances our experience performing.

And so, we wanted to record the album there to capture that sound.

And then also wanted to work on a music video there because in the music video, we were trying to capture this divinity that's present there.

And I think that Sacred Heart is a very special place to the Duluth community.

And it remains to be.

- You have this message through your merch too of don't underestimate me.

And you did a partnership with Safe Haven Shelter, which is a place of safety and healing for women, children, anyone, any survivor of domestic violence.

How did that partnership come about?

- Well, the music video that we created for "Trying Too Hard," which has that lyric, "Don't underestimate me," it became about empowerment, honoring the divine feminine and supporting one another.

And so, when we decided to make the shirts, we wanted to give back and support an organization that was doing more and helping people who are suffering to heal.

- And I think that is absolutely wonderful.

Is I think the arts, artists, musicians are essential.

That's one of the big questions of this past year.

And it's inspiring when you learn about artists who are finding ways to use their platform to give back.

So, thank you (laughs) for bringing awareness to this organization, and something we all need to be aware of.

- Yes.

So, for our (speaks faintly), we talked about "Trying Too Hard" and how this song is mentioned in it.

What else is this song about?

- Well, I wrote it when I was somewhat lost and trying to maneuver through different relationships and trying to figure out myself and feeling over and over again that I was being underestimated or that I was being judged wrongly or there was these expectations that were set in place by society, by myself or by others that I wasn't meeting or didn't want to meet.

And there's a lot of sexuality within the song too, within the lyricism.

And I think that it all comes together to really show a point of strength and a point of standing up for yourself.

- Yeah.

Well, get ready to stand up for yourself.

Let's listen to "Trying Too hard."

(audience applauding) (gentle music) (gentle music) ♪ Trying so hard to feel something ♪ ♪ Worth something ♪ ♪ That means something ♪ ♪ Trying so hard to be something for you ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be ♪ ♪ Is always better than it should be ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be is always better than it is ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Lips locked, undressed, nothing to impress ♪ ♪ Left lost in the thought of the past ♪ ♪ Eyes locked, hold, stop ♪ ♪ Empty is the pot ♪ ♪ Stale coat of the lump in my chest ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Trying so hard to feel something ♪ ♪ Worth something ♪ ♪ That means something ♪ ♪ Trying so hard to be something for you ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be ♪ ♪ Is always better than it should be ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be ♪ ♪ Is always better than it is ♪ (gentle music) ♪ My teeth bite the shoulder ♪ ♪ Cut the noose to let you under ♪ ♪ I am hot, I am wet, I am mint ♪ ♪ Slide the leg, let you under ♪ ♪ Leave us both lost in wonder ♪ ♪ Cold shower to ignore our intent ♪ ♪ I will walk out on you ♪ ♪ I will never be true ♪ ♪ I hang my hat and I leave it ♪ ♪ No regrets ♪ ♪ Don't count on me to be there when we're through ♪ ♪ I am rock, I am solid, I am it ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Trying so hard to feel something ♪ ♪ Worth something ♪ ♪ That means something ♪ ♪ Trying so hard to be something for you ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be ♪ ♪ Is always better than it should be ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be is always better than it is ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ I am a vagabond, baby ♪ ♪ I will roll over you ♪ ♪ I will roll over you ♪ ♪ I am a heartbreaker, baby ♪ ♪ I will never be true ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ I am a vagabond, baby ♪ ♪ I will roll over you ♪ ♪ I will roll over you ♪ ♪ I am a man eater, baby ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ And I am trying so hard to feel something ♪ ♪ Worth something ♪ ♪ I am trying so hard to be something for you ♪ ♪ The idea of what it could be is always better ♪ ♪ Oh, the idea ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ ♪ Don't underestimate me ♪ (audience applauding) Thank you.

(audience applauding) - This song is also catchy in a lot of ways, (laughs) and it's kind of like an anthem song.

- Yes.

- So, I for one appreciate.

It is I think all of your music, both albums that you have is each track you listen to over and over and over again because there's something that you can pull and kind of use and just reflect about as we all grow.

Life is a growing, it's a journey.

So, with that female empowerment, do you consider yourself a feminist?

And what is like feminism in your own words?

- I do consider myself a feminist.

I think that to me, being a feminist is about supporting one another.

Anyone who identifies as a woman.

And not criticizing yourself or criticizing others and also doing what you can to break down the structures in place that are suppressing women or limiting their opportunities.

- Yeah.

And us being here, I'm glad we can share the stage, (laughs) build this platform.

I want to thank our sponsors on that note.

(laughs) So, for bringing us together here today, thank you to Dan and Arlene Kirby, the South Dakota Arts Council and the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation.

And to learn more about Superior Siren, her journey, visit her website, superiorsiren.com.

Now, something fun, you through your social media, you started these hashtag sock dancing videos.

(laughs) So, how did this start?

Because I think this is something that should go viral.

It's very fun and totally normal.

- Well, thank you.

Yeah, that is just something I started doing on my personal Instagram page.

I love to dance and I've always been moved to dance since I was young and I wanted to capture it.

Sock dancing is fun because it allows you to glide and slide around.

(Apolonia laughs) And it's interesting.

I've had a pretty positive response to those sock dances.

And I hope it inspires other people to dance.

I think that's the intention.

- It definitely brought joy to me.

(laughs) I was like, yes, this needs to be a thing.

And it is the best.

You think of who was it?

"Risky Business"?

Was it like Tom Cruise who slides across the wall?

(laughs) Things like that just kind of pop up.

With movement and body, loving to dance, and how important is music and movement to oneself, to healing?

I think you do yoga.

So, how has that been instrumental in your life and how they come together?

- I definitely feel like in order to heal the mind, you need to heal the body.

And often trauma is stored in the body.

I recently became a certified yoga instructor.

And I love yoga, the lifestyle of yoga.

I'm very thankful for all the teachers that have come before me to allow me to study yoga and be in the presence of yoga.

And moving the body helps to work through things that have been stuck or harbored, and helps to unravel these traumas or these sadness that you didn't know that you're holding on to.

And I found that yoga and music are both vessels in which you can process these hard things and work through them and be creative with it.

And so, my intention is to allow myself to heal, but then also help others heal through sharing this music, being vulnerable, sharing hard feelings, and maybe inspiring others to dig a little deeper within themselves.

And then also to share yoga and all of the benefits that go with that.

And dancing is something that anyone can do.

And I love to dance.

I think it's a beautiful form of expression.

So if I inspire others to do that, that's an added bonus.

- (laughs) And there's so much of an added bonus with your poetry, with your, yes, dancing and music.

There's so much that you offer.

So please continue creating.

We need artists like yourself.

And with that, there's also this self-growth that kind of takes place that we all need to do.

And I feel like our relationships that we carry and keep close also impact us as human beings and perhaps our art.

We discussed earlier your relationship with your mother, how integral have your relationships been in what you continue to create and craft?

- I think that it really does take a community to grow.

And when you can co-regulate with people, it really allows everyone to operate at their best ability.

And so, I grew up in a very supportive family and also I have three older sisters.

And so, I think that I was used to the four women dynamic.

And so, bringing the women together in the band, it fit really well.

And I think that is a beautiful dynamic within those four women.

And I think I really enjoy relationships.

I really enjoy connecting with people and having interesting and maybe difficult conversations about life.

And I think it helps you to learn more about yourself and to learn more about others.

And so, I enjoy any opportunity to connect with others.

- Have you had a response from your audience in regards to how your lyrics have impacted their life?

- I have, yes.

There have been many people who have reached out saying that the music and the lyricism has helped them heal.

Especially in grieving, they can relate to it and it has helped them process some hard things.

And I think our music really is good for like a rainy day and when you just need (Apolonia laughs) some downtime and maybe have a good cry.

- The next song that we're gonna be listening to, "Darkness and Light," and this is from your newest album that was just released.

Tell us about what that song is about.

- So this song, "Darkness and Light," I was inspired by self-love and having hard relationships and learning from them and moving through that and returning back to myself, and kind of realizing my worth and valuing myself more.

The solo EP is about letting go.

The title "Kill Your Darlings" is a literary reference, which means to rid of the unnecessary elements for the sake of the overall story.

And so, I connected with that because these songs have been within me for years since we last released the full length album.

And so, it was a way for me to let go of these past relationships, these past versions of myself, and also just get new music out there and stay connected with listeners.

And so, this song really is an ode to myself I feel.

And it's had a positive response to listeners.

- Awesome.

Well, get ready to another side of Laura for "Darkness and Light."

(gentle music) ♪ Out of the darkness ♪ ♪ Comes the light ♪ ♪ And I see myself more clearly ♪ ♪ Out of the depths ♪ ♪ Comes the fight ♪ ♪ And I feel myself more freely ♪ ♪ I am not a lonesome woman ♪ ♪ Seeking shelter from the storm ♪ ♪ I am not a foolish woman ♪ ♪ Who will give up before she's done ♪ ♪ I'm vision to behold ♪ ♪ I'm treasure to unfold ♪ ♪ I'm story still untold ♪ ♪ And I'm here with you to grow old ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Out of the darkness ♪ ♪ Comes the light ♪ ♪ And I feel myself more freely ♪ ♪ Out of the depths ♪ ♪ Comes the fight ♪ ♪ And I see myself more clearly ♪ ♪ I am not a lonesome woman ♪ ♪ Seeking shelter from the storm ♪ ♪ I am not a foolish woman ♪ ♪ Who will give up before she's done ♪ ♪ I'm vision to behold ♪ ♪ I'm story still untold ♪ ♪ I'm treasure to unfold ♪ ♪ And I'm here with you to grow old ♪ (gentle music) (audience applauding) Thank you.

(audience applauding) - "Darkness and Light" is such a beautiful song, and I feel so much of your music is the perfect lyric dance (laughs) modern dancers and ballet.

I just feel my imagination, choreographing, beautiful dance pieces to your music that just really plucks at the heart strings.

So I hope there's a whole show dedicated to what you continue to share with us.

(laughs) - Yes.

- Do you have any words of hope for somebody who's pursuing music, who's continuing to heal?

We did discuss relationships, movement through trauma, but any other thing that we may not have discussed that kind of gets you out of bed every day and keeps the hope alive?

- Yeah, I think what comes to mind is something actually my mom would always say.

Is to be authentic and to have integrity.

And I found what's most important to me is to operate with intention in everything that I do.

And my advice for anyone who's pursuing a career in music or an art is that it's hard and you have to make sacrifices and commit to it in order for it to work for you.

You'll probably also need some side jobs to get you by, (Apolonia laughs) but I think it's really important to stay true to yourself and true to your vision, but also to be open to criticism and feedback - Yes.

- and allow for change to happen because it's natural for things to change.

- It is.

Thank you for sharing that wisdom.

And I think being authentic or true to self is key so we don't lose our soul, lose our purpose.

And we all have a vision that only us as the individual you can provide.

There's no one else who is bringing to the table your music, your lyrics.

So, I want to thank you for that advice.

Laura, you are so wonderful, Superior Siren.

Ladies and gentlemen, whatever you want to do within your life, as long as you go through intention, be welcome to feedback as Laura mentioned, you can persevere with joy amidst life's struggles.

So we thank you.

Please check her out on her website, superiorsiren.com.

Give her follow on social media.

We'd like to thank our sponsors: Dan and Arlene Kirby, the South Dakota Arts Council, and of course, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation.

And we're so thankful for their mission to build community through music.

I am your host Apolonia Davalos.

And I love you.

(smacks lips) (energetic music) ♪ Hey ♪ (energetic music) ♪ Hey ♪ (energetic music) (energetic music) (audience applauding)