By Jesse M. Gonzalez | [email protected]

Coming into a concert at South Salt Lake’s Center for Spiritual Living, with the one-woman act dubbed as a cross between Joan Baez, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Tina Fey, one may have thoughts circling in their head of what to expect.

On Oct. 2, Wisconsin born spiritual native Celia Farran made her way to the Center’s stage with an acoustic guitar and drum to perform her own fun-loving songs that have garnered a humble base of fans from around the country.

“I describe my music as Celtic, folk, irreverent, spiritual, comedy. I have been described by others as a singer/songwriter/comedienne/activist, a badass Bard-ess, red-headed Capricorn force of nature,” Farran said. “I serve up the most delicious concoction of the silly and the sacred.”

Being on the road and on tour is something Farran loves doing, though her stop in South Salt Lake would be her last before returning to her home on Whidbey Island in Washington State. Farran enjoys the life of being “geographically untethered” as she likes to say, getting the inspiration of the phrase from her longtime friend, Jana Stanfield, who is also a singer and songwriter.

Travel can be a tiring existence, but Farran has done it for a long time. “I have been performing since I can remember. I grew up in a very musical household and was inspired by my older brothers Marty and Brian who played the banjo and the guitar as a child duo. I remember getting my first goosebumps ever at a very young age listening to them play and sing harmonies together in a grade school gym. I was transformed forever. I remember thinking, ‘This is what I want to do. I want to create music and art that gives people this feeling of goosebumps.’”

While Farran has kept busy creating music for over 20 years, it is spirituality that has kept her grounded and in further search of herself and her music. “I feel that I continually and consistently uncover spiritually rather that discover it. I call myself an ‘anthropological philosopher,’” Farran said. “I love exploring life, human experience, human potential, and our relationship with all beings and the world we inhabit.”

Combining spirituality with music, Farran wants to write songs that really matter, that make a difference in other people’s lives. A lot of popular, modern-day songs don’t always deliver the most positive message to listeners. Farran wants to awaken and inspire others through music, with songs like “We Are Enough,” “Bringing in the Light,” and “Cleansing My Heart.”  She keeps her message light, humorous and inspirational.

“I love creating funny material as well as peaceful, spiritual material,” Farran said. “I feel it is the responsibility of creative artists not just to entertain but also to pull the truth, as we see it, from our experience and bring it through to our art. I’m a big fan of what Woody Guthrie said: ‘It’s not how good a song is…it’s what a good song does!’”

Jim Catano, a first-time listener of Farran who stumbled upon the concert with a friend, was impressed. “She blends talent with a wonderful, wonderful vibe, and expands several genres.”

After the show, many concertgoers gravitated around Farran for a chance to meet her, and to purchase some of her merchandise and CDs. She sat down after the 90-minute concert, greeting everyone and thanking them for stopping by. 

“I left it all out there,” said Farran, catching her breath, reenergizing herself after an animated, lively performance. “It is always my hope that people will walk away from my concerts feeling lighter, freer, healed and inspired with more energy and confidence. I love what I do. And I feel grateful for every moment I get to share my music and message with the world.  I am thankful for my family and friends for their love and support. Thank you.”