Project Calm Issue 9

We're feeling the sunshine this issue and all the joyful colour that light waves bring to our world. It had us thinking about our own responses to colour (it's all about chakras on page 33), the way we seek it out (see our travel feature on page 120) and the importance of the shades we choose to surround ourselves with (read our interiors special on page 42). Which colours soothe you? Use your colour wheel gift this issue to find the perfect combination for your next creative project. Light waves turned our attention to sound waves (and a section devoted entirely to mindful music, starting on page 12), and from there, the watery variety. We take a closer look at tides and what they can teach us about patience, from page…

1 FIND YOUR TRIBE ONLINE Sisterhood Camp is known for its creative and inspiring women’s retreats. This summer it’s creating an online haven for women to connect, learn and grow: Sisterhood Camp Community. Each season you’ll be offered the chance to develop your ideas, make new contacts and top up your inspiration with likeminded sisters across the globe. Your three-month membership (special introductory price £150) includes e-courses, guides and insightful articles on business development, wellness, health and creativity. You’ll also be given the chance to join the vibrant online community forum, take part in fun creative prompts and get discounted tickets to future Sisterhood events too. To find out more, just visit sisterhoodcamp.org or follow Sisterhood on Instagram @sisterhood_camp 2 A DAY FOR RELAXATION Ever wish there was a pause button on life…

“Music has never been lucrative to me. It’s therapy. It makes me feel awesome, happy, centered and balanced. It’s what keeps me going and breathing.” At the base of Grammy Award-winning singer, Erykah Badu’s decade-spanning career is a need for self-care, and it’s not uncommon for creative people to find themselves through this kind of self-expression. The arts can be a tool for many to communicate what would otherwise be unspoken. Music has an innate power over the brain and almost healing properties. The inner workings of the brain are intrinsic to our relationship with music. In fact, researchers believe that while musical instruments appear to be a recent innovation, music itself is significantly older. Some studies suggest it may have allowed our ancestors to communicate before the invention of language…

1 WASSILY KANDINSKY, ARTIST The father of abstract art, Wassily Kandinsky, was born in 1866. He painted sounds as if they were shapes and colours. He said: “Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.” 2 DANA EL MASRI, PERFUMER The founder of Parfums Jazmin Saraï in Montreal creates scents based on clients’ music tastes. With a background in sound production, Dana El Masri switched things up to study at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in France. With a holistic appraoch, she meets with her clients and asks them to fill in a detailed questionnaire before listening to their favourite songs and mixing together their perfect…

1 SONG EXPLODER Join host Hrishikesh Hirway every fortnight as he invites popular artists to dissect one of their songs, telling the stories behind how they’ve come together, from production to lyrics to the moment they realise the track is complete. He finishes each show by playing the song in full. Get ready to add a ton of new tracks to your playlists! songexploder.net 2 DISTRACTION PIECES WITH SCROOBIOUS PIP Revered rapper and label boss, Scroobious Pip invites a host of artists along for in-depth conversations. He’s made a big push to address the gender balance of guests via excellent interviews with Holly Ross from The Lovely Eggs/Angelica fame on motherhood and touring with a baby, 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, as well as more recent numbers with pals, Paloma Faith and former Radio…

Do you have any creative rituals? I always try and start out with a pencil and a piece of paper and work through the basic idea of what I want to create before I use the computer or do anything too finished by hand. What do you do to stay calm amidst a busy period at work? I’ve been a competitive runner since I was 12 and it’s a great way to escape daily life. I usually run before work or in my lunch break, and often again in the evening. We’re lucky enough to live close to a network of footpaths and bridleways that spread for miles out into the countryside. It’s always given me time to think and resolve any problems. We have three kids, and Jane (who is also my…