We’re always stoked when we get the chance to get to know our community beyond the follows and likes. Earlier this year we connected with Liz Derstine, who had tagged us with her cushion from our recent collaboration with Parks Project. Liz shared that she was using it on her piano stool, and as we connected some more, we learned that she is a composer and performer, as well as a record holding trail athlete; performing and competing under the name @pinkfeathers.
We caught up some more over video (where Liz casually dropped that she holds a time record for the Appalachian Trail). We also discussed her musical and touring life, including performing at Coachella, and her return to the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Boston, to complete a dual Master of Music in Collaborative Piano and Composition. Damn Liz... leave some life accomplishments for the rest of us!
Liz graciously agreed to share some photos of her at home with her Peace Cabin cushions (thanks @willthenomad for capturing Liz’s vibe so well!), as well as answering a few questions for us about how she manages her busy life and interests.
PC: Quick intro, anything you want really, but where are you from and where do you live now?
LD: I was born in Salem, Oregon. I grew up in Schwenksville in southeastern PA. I lived in Portland, Oregon for 13 years. And now live in Greater Boston (Medford, to be exact).
PC: Yes! Shout out for South Eastern PA, the home of Peace Cabin! What about a favorite place you’ve lived, plus one thing everyone should check out there:
LD: I love my life in Boston. It's one of the best cities in the world to be in as a musician, both as an artist and concert-goer, with funky venues like the Lilypad to a world stage like the historic Symphony Hall. My school, Longy School of Music, hosts a multitude of free concerts featuring renowned artists and students throughout the year. You can check out the calendar here.
There are some beautiful local trail systems including the Middlesex Fells and Blue Hills Reservation. I also love that I can pop up to the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a day or weekend trip.
PC: You’re a highly accomplished performer both musically and athletically, what are some things that drive you or inspire you to hit next level personal goals in what you do?
LD: I'd say a combo of curiosity and love for the craft! Even at a young age I'd make up little adventures like running to the next town over, or biking from Oaks to Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River Trail, just to see if I could. Then thinking, "I bet I could do it faster next time." Sometimes I'll hear a piece of music that moves me and think, I must play that! For example, I listened to the Dvorak's Piano Quintet No. 2 on repeat
while running the Swiss Via Alpina a couple summers ago. The final movement made me feel alive. Now, in a couple of weeks, on April 19th, I'll be performing it (more info here)! It's been really difficult to learn, but it feels worth it because I want to share it with others.
PC: Do music and running fulfill different needs for you mentally, or are there overlaps common to both?
LD: I think music plays to my creative side and running plays to my physical side. I start to feel restless when I have too much of one and not the other. I think the overlap is that they are both a form of release. I'm a pretty emotional person, and have to let it out somehow–whether that means writing it into a song, or blowing off some steam on a run.
PC: You compose and perform your own music, are there any regular themes that inspire your writing?
LD: Nature comes up a lot, which makes sense, given I spend a lot of time outside–my first piece for orchestra "Wildwood", which premiered in Boston at the end of March, begins with instruments mimicking literal bird sounds that I remember hearing on my early mornings on the Appalachian Trail. I'm always trying to blend the more classical tradition that I've studied more formally, with pop music, which was my world while touring around with an indie pop band for several years. I like creating melodies that you can sing along to, and get stuck in your head (hopefully in a good way).
PC: You’re nearing the end of your latest stint at Longy School of music, with a dual Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano and Composition. What’s next for you after this?
LD:
LD: This summer I am planning to run and hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,651 mile trail that traverses the entire states of California, Oregon, and Washington! Beyond that, I plan to stay in Boston continuing my path as a pianist and composer. I'm also lucky enough to have my dream job as an athlete with Mountain Hardwear–we have a lot of exciting projects in the works. I am so looking forward to this next chapter!
PC: Wow, sounds incredible, good luck! What are some ways your preparation will be different for this compared to when you did the Appalachian Trail?
LD: Thank you! So my hike on the AT was fully supported. I had a one-person support crew that met me at nearly every single road crossing along the way, and I had many friends, family, and "trail angels" that came out to support. I never had to carry more than a few items with me at a time, and I had a lot of company and moral support along the way. This hike will be different in that I'm backpacking, carrying my own supplies, sending myself resupply boxes, and mostly camping the entire way. It will be my first traditional thru-hike on a trail of this magnitude. I just spent my spring break practicing hiking longer distances with my full pack, to get used to carrying everything with me. I definitely notice a difference in terms of how quickly I can move, and the impact on my feet, so that will take some getting used to.
PC: We'll be following along on your @pinkfeathers account - amazing! So tell us about music when you’re running - do you need to match the tempo, or can you listen to whatever you want and still hit your running goals?
LD: I typically run without music and use that time to let my mind wander, and sometimes I even make up music in my head while I'm running and hiking. That makes it easy to match my footsteps! I'll often take little voice memos on my phone so that I can remember the musical ideas for later. I have found music to be greatly helpful in a time of need though, especially on longer hikes when I need a mental boost. It makes a big difference!
PC: We’re living in what can feel like some pretty intense times right now, plus you seem to pack a lot into life! What are some ways you clear your head and find moments of calm in your life?
LD: Write it down. It really helps me to verbalize, or put into music, how I'm feeling. Sometimes I keep it to myself, sometimes I share it. It can feel scary to share how you're feeling in such a tumultuous time. I try to consider that I may be in a position to speak on something I feel strongly about when others aren't able to–and it might help others to know someone is in their corner.
PC: Love that, we agree, sometimes writing it down helps you put it into context too, or just feel like you've got it out a little bit. OK so one last question: dinner with 3 musicians living or dead - who’s at your table?
LD: Conan O'Brien - yes he may be a comedian, writer, and tv show host, but he's also a guitar player! I'm just a lifelong Conan superfan. He's meticulous and excellent at what he does, he's multi-faceted (along with being a Harvard grad, entertainer, and musician, he's also an avid cyclist), he drives a 1992 Ford Taurus that he bought new and still owns today, he speaks up on issues that are important to him, and just seems
to be an all-around cool person. (PC - we just watched Conan's Hot Ones episode. A-mazing... watch and enjoy if you love Conan and haven't seen)
Kris Bowers - I first heard some of his music right before starting the Appalachian Trail in 2020, and it really stuck with me throughout that experience. He has a way of capturing emotion in his music with relative simplicity (which is really hard to do). His musical style has had an influence on mine. I'd love to hear more about his creative process and experience navigating the film and music industry as a modern composer.
Maggie Rogers - I just saw her perform at TD Garden in Boston, which she shared was a big dream of hers. She said one of her former professors was in the audience–I love a full circle moment! It would just be fun to chat with her about Boston, music touring life, her songwriting process, and her transition from fledgling artist to playing sold-out stadiums.
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