In celebration of Women’s History Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to contribute a series of essays reflecting on themes of identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.
Today, the Norwegian folk duo Oakland Rain presents their essay titled ‘Community, Sisterhood, and Lessons Learned from Judy Collins’ for Atwood Magazine’s Women’s History Month series. The duo expresses, “Touring with the legendary Judy Collins has been a transformative experience, not only because of her extraordinary voice and musical legacy but also due to her warmth, humor, and steadfast support for fellow artists. Her ability to foster a sense of community through music—making people feel acknowledged, included, and less isolated—has profoundly inspired us, and we are eternally grateful to be part of her journey.”
Oakland Rain consists of mirror twins Maren and Charlotte Wallevik, whose differing characteristics influence both their identities and their music. Their ambitious debut double album, ‘Twin Flames,’ explores the complexities of selfhood across two conceptually distinct albums: ‘Twin Flame Part 1: The Evergreen’ (August 2024), which embraces earthy Americana, and ‘Twin Flame Part 2: Heavenly Blue’ (spring 2025), which ventures into ethereal Nordic pop. Known for their cinematic songwriting and captivating harmonies, the sisters have accumulated millions of streams, performed internationally, and even played for Norwegian royalty. With ‘Twin Flames,’ they offer a deeply personal exploration of fear, freedom, and the delicate balance between the known and the unknown.
You can listen to ‘Twin Flames’ on your preferred music streaming platform, and read Oakland Rain’s essay for Women’s History Month below!
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Touring With Folk Legend Judy Collins Has Confirmed Our Strong Suspicions: Her Musical Light Represents Community & Sisterhood
by Oakland Rain
We received the call in the spring of last year—an invitation to tour with the legendary “song hunter,” Judy Collins, who is one of the most significant folk singers of her era. Now, as we enter the spring of 2025, we are on our third and longest US tour with this remarkable artist. Recently, we had the honor of celebrating her 85th birthday at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as a celebration at The Town Hall in New York. In this light, we decided it would be fitting to follow up last year’s essay for Women’s History Month.
This year, we aim to reflect on how Judy inspires us and countless others through her approach to life and the songs she sings.
For decades, her beautifully angelic voice has graced homes and stages, delivering music that has the power to captivate, heal, and dissolve the invisible barriers that can hinder vulnerability and emotion.
Her interpretations of songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen (who was inspired to start writing songs because of Judy) became internationally renowned. She played a crucial role in the 60s folk scene and the artistic movement flourishing in Greenwich Village and actively supported the Civil Rights Movement. Even today, she continues to tour and record albums, using her music to advocate for various causes, including UNICEF and other topics close to her heart. She has been candid about personal challenges, mental health, tragedy, and hope. We find her willingness to share her human experiences and serve as a beacon of hope and light incredibly inspiring.
While it is well known how exceptional Judy Collins is as a talent, fewer may recognize how extraordinary she is as a person—with her authenticity, intelligence, and kindness. And her humor… she is so remarkably funny.
There are countless ways to express how Judy inspires us, but one of the main reasons she serves as our guiding star is her inclusivity. Her music helps others feel less isolated, and that aligns with our personal mission and greatest aspiration as artists. Additionally, she generously shares her talent with numerous artists through her own renditions of different songs, as well as by providing a platform for emerging talents. Throughout her career, she has highlighted female artists and fostered a sense of sisterhood. The way she has taken us under her wing over the past year has greatly impacted us, and we are indescribably grateful. We have the privilege of being introduced to her incredible audience and witnessing an icon in her element on stage each night (high heels and all).
We believe this essay is less about what needs to be addressed and more about recognizing the solutions already present among us. It highlights the importance of feeling a sense of community, of shared humanity, and hope. It emphasizes the importance of music in making others feel less alone and encourages us to help each other build that sense of safety. In the spirit of Collins: no one should be left behind. – Oakland Rain
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:: connect with Oakland Rain here ::
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Stream: “Sister Hymn” – Oakland Rain
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Norwegian folk duo Oakland Rain presents their essay, "Community, Sisterhood, and Lessons Learned from Judy Collins," in which they recount their experiences touring with the folk music icon, as part of Atwood Magazine's Women’s History Month series!