First, I want to thank the people at Mountain Xpress for the kind review of my music [“Soundtrack,” Nov. 26] and for the benevolence of everyone I have spoken and worked with at the paper.
[However,] there are some points I would like to clear up that were in the article and do not hold truth for me:
• I did not have a “hard upbringing.” There were events that occurred early in my life, outside of my immediate family, that were hard. But if it were not for my upbringing and the amazing support of my parents, siblings and partner, I would not be as strong and clear and surviving as I am today. I want to apologize for anything that I may have said to Jake Frankel in our interview that could have been misinterpreted as having a “hard upbringing.”
• I am not a “victim of abuse.” I am a survivor. The two are very different. When you break the pattern of abusive behavior in your life and continue to live consciously and with every effort and action to maintain vitality and clarity, constantly gaining more awareness and helping yourself and those (you can) around you to do the same, you are no longer a victim.
• My song “Decompose” was a collaboration, not a tribute. After my friend—whose poem brought the song about—committed suicide, it seemed we had created together a prediction of her death that I was saddened by, while being thankful for the amazing song that came from our meeting.
• I have never worked with any producers.
This music for me is a huge gift, spoken from a place of seeing and choosing and coming from great love and knowledge beyond me.
— Jonah Michea Judy
Horse Shoe
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