Julie Fowlis’ 5 tips on writing for wellbeing treatments

Julie Fowlis: “Pacing is everything – and musical pace takes on a different meaning when you are working within the spa world.”

Dream of composing music for spa experiences? Follow a multi-award-winning singer’s top strategies for creating transformative, journey-based soundtracks with purpose

On 27th September 2024, LUSH releases Highlands, an album that immerses listeners in the Scottish Highlands and blends traditional folk music with cinematic soundscapes. As heard on the single Cailleach Beinn a’ Bhric, the record features Julie Fowlis, a multi-award-winning singer from the Outer Hebrides. Fowlis, known for her work on Disney Pixar’s Brave, brings her deep connection to the Highlands, where she is now based, into the project. The album, developed with Lush Spa therapists, also merges music and massage to create a unique experience. Pressed on eco-vinyl, it includes bonus content and unique artwork celebrating Scotland’s rich culture.

Now it’s over to Fowlis to share her five key recommendations on how to write the best possible songs for spas and other wellbeing treatments…

1. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE TREATMENT?

Where are the music and lyrics transporting the client to? Think on the lyrical – but also the subliminal – messaging in your soundtrack, and what the treatment is trying to achieve. During the Highlands massage, I thought lots about, not just the songs themselves and the lyrics, but also the sounds and the delivery of the words – how they are sung, and what kind of response that might evoke from a client.

2. THE JOURNEY

Any spa treatment should have some sense of a journey. It is really important to consider dynamics within the treatment. Pacing is everything – and musical pace takes on a different meaning when you are working within the spa world. I loved being able to meander musically through the Highlands treatment – taking time over each section of the journey, like savouring chapters of a book. One of the real highlights was working with Jody [Bailey – spa therapist] on the rhythm and feel of the massage, and trying to create soundscapes to match her work at each step of the massage journey.

3. BRING YOUR TRUE SELF TO THE PROJECT BUT ALSO BE OPEN TO COLLABORATION

On the LUSH treatment, it was a pleasure working with such brilliant musicians; Ewen Henderson, Simon Richmond and, of course, my husband Éamon Doorley. Everyone was generous with ideas, and ready to both contribute and collaborate. It sounds like such a simple thing – but when you have musicians on board who are open and good-natured, it makes all the difference. 

4. PUT THE CLIENT FIRST

This is where, musically, you have to be flexible and be ready to let go of potential control or preconceived ideas; you need to work as a team both within the studio with your fellow musicians, but also with your spa team who kept us on the right track, reminding us of the key journey points and outcomes we were collectively trying to achieve through the treatment.

5. MAPPING

If you would like to write music for spa treatments, I’d recommend that you think about the journey and outcome carefully, map it out – on paper, using musical notes, or electronically. Then start to compose around the journey, always thinking on the message or feeling that you want the client to receive through the process. Is it a deep sense of calm? Is it something which is more challenging? Is it place-based, transportive or otherworldly? Think of it as a musical map – and compose in a way that takes the client on that journey.

Highlands, the new album featuring Julie Fowlis, is out via Lush on 27 September. For more music and news, juliefowlis.com

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