MaMuse

“Ma” as in Mama; “Muse” as in the one who inspires.

MaMuse was born out of a collaboration between songwriters Karisha Longaker and Sarah Nutting. 2008 was a year of great alchemy. Fires erupted in Northern California and a great wind of inspiration blew through, catalyzing a series of songs written from the soil and rivers, ash and heat of Chico where these two musicians met.

In the early days, these troubadours toted instruments around town by bicycle and shared their songs at farmers markets, community gatherings, small cafes and festivals. Not too long after, these two voices became iconic to the Chico community, representing idyllic values of friendship, community, love for nature, and care for self and world. The love spread and sisterhood held strong through 14 years of life that included children, relationships arriving and dissolving, and making home in many new places.

MaMuse songs such as “We Shall Be Known” and “Hallelujah” have sprouted wings and are now sung at the bedsides of birthing mothers, around campfires, at weddings and funerals—all places where people are gathered to celebrate and to mourn. These are songs born of the folk lineage—songs for all of us.