68 Music with a Mission: Award-Winning Musicians Stand Up for Dakota Grasslands and Their Communities

In a lively interview with Buz Kloot, Joe Dickie and Lynn Betts, Maygen and Noah of the band Maygen & the Birdwatcher delve into the origins and evolution of their musical journey and their collaboration with the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition. The discussion began with Maygen recounting her unexpected path into music, having grown  up with 90’s country music in the house thanks to her mother. After having children, she overcame her fear of performing and began as a studio vocalist, eventually forming a duo called Sparrow's Rising. This partnership led to an opportunity to open for the Indigo Girls, where she met Noah, a talented guitarist who shared her passion for music.Noah's background contrasted Maygen's as he grew up disliking country music, influenced by his father's farm boy roots but personally drawn to classic rock and metal. His appreciation for country music grew over time, and when Maygen and Noah met, they clicked immediately, both musically and personally, leading to the formation of Maygen & the Birdwatcher around 2018.Their collaboration matured, with Noah stepping into songwriting and contributing significantly to their melodies, lyrics and message. The pair continually pushed each other to learn and grow, resulting in a dynamic and evolving musical partnership.The conversation then shifted to their acclaimed project, "Where Good Things Grow." Lynn Betts, a consultant for the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, recounted how he discovered Maygen & the Birdwatcher while searching for the perfect band to create a song for a campaign promoting the benefits of grasslands. He spent considerable time listening to various Midwest artists before finding their sound ideal for the project.Maygen and Noah eagerly embraced the challenge. Inspired by the coalition's work and their own experiences touring the grasslands, they crafted lyrics that captured the essence of the landscape and the interconnectedness of its ecosystem. They wrote two songs initially and combined elements from both to create the final version of "Where Good Things Grow," which resonated deeply with the themes of the campaign.The intention from the start was to produce a music video, which eventually featured the band performing amidst the prairie, visually complementing the song's message. The result was a powerful and evocative portrayal of the grasslands' beauty and significance.In recognition of their outstanding work, Maygen & the Birdwatcher received an award from the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, underscoring the impact and excellence of their contribution. The project not only showcased their musical talents but also highlighted the importance of preserving natural landscapes, blending art and advocacy in a compelling way.Overall, this interview highlights the band's journey, their creative process, and this meaningful and innovative collaboration with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition that defines new ways music and advocacy can intertwine.Links: https://wheregoodthingsgrow.org/Watch the full video for ‘Where Good Things Grow” athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklZNJWNxcYTo find out more about Maygen and Noah, go to: https://www.maygenandthebirdwatcher.com/or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. @maygenandthebirdwatcher