Songs from the Sea

A Wild Tongues Production

An original jazz-theater hybrid exploring oceanic themes. Featuring original jazz compositions paired with spoken word and performance art.

Created by Samantha Hafey and Thomas Meyer

What is “Songs from the Sea?

‘Songs from the Sea’ is a bold attempt to “put an ocean on stage”. What began as an eco-feminist exploration of ‘sirens’ and their teachings and symbolism in our world, has expanded throughout the devising process to an open conversation: about how nature acts as a mirror or tool for us to attempt to understand our psychology or at least channel and unify our deeper emotion via shared human experiences.

What happens then, when we lose access to nature? When we exist in concrete jungles, breathing fumes instead of oxygen, climbing escalators instead of trees, tethered by devices rather than roots, riding subways over the ocean’s currents, do we then disconnect to our sense of self and ultimately our humanity? This is a challenge our work faces, and one we wish to aid performatively, so that the LA community may awaken to the potency and healing potential of nature, specifically that of the water element.

This monolithic work takes form as a jazz-theater hybrid form featuring thru-composed score, performative improvisation, poems spoken word, drawing heavily upon group flow. ‘Songs from the Sea’ is mutually led by musical director Thomas Meyer and artistic director Samantha Hafey in collaboration with devisors and contributors Riston Diggs, James Geng, Raul Rivera and Ryan Embola.

Videos

Ocean Song (Prologue) – live at Dizzy’s jazz club in San Diego, California

Rip Current – live at Modbom Acid Vault in San Diego, California

Ocean Song (Lullaby for Those Who Listen Closely) – Live at California State University Northridge Campus Theater in Los Angeles, California

Press

LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO – Music performances on the coast this week

Dizzy’s Brings Top Talent to Its Stage During Summer 2022

Testimonials

“The show felt like being immersed into another world, due to the multi-sensory experience of music, thoughtful props/lighting, and storytelling through lyric and text. The performers were very sensitive to the emotions of each song, and the show covered a spectrum of feeling, from longing to eviscerating (literally, with the song about the gutted fish). The themes of life and death, conveyed through the lens of ecological disaster and rebirth, were deeply moving.” – Melissa Lai

“I loved it so much. The music was immaculate and the added touch of theater from Sam was an extra treat. So lovely the whole thing.” – Jackson Shaffer

“It was such an amazing beautiful show every single individual involved is so talented and creative!! I remember having tears because it was so special” – Ausha