Becoming Visible is a creative experiment by Seattle-based songwriters Alex Rasmussen and Amy Laybourn. The song’s title comes from an anthology of twelve Seattle poets, including Amy (whose poem, The Turnaround, inspired the title) and Alex (who curated the collection).

The book was released in February of 2024 by Pacific Northwest publisher Common Meter Press with a reading at the Rabbitbox Theatre in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. For the event, Alex and Amy crafted this tune with the intention of commemorating the publication and bringing the evening of readings to a musical conclusion.

During the songwriting session, Amy had the unique idea of taking lines from various poems and fitting them like puzzle pieces into the song’s chrodal framework. This approach worked surprisingly well as, with the exception of a few lines, all lyrics came directly from the book.

Poets whose words are woven into the tune include Owl Scarey, Lucas Van Linden, Oscar Mejia, Nick Zettell, Erin Roth, Hailey Magee, Henry Wong, Alex Rasmussen, and Gemma Maliszewski.

The song is about stepping out of the darkness of fear and doubt, and using one’s unique experience—no matter how painful—to propel you toward a bright new future.

Recorded and mixed at Vertigo Studios in Seattle, WA, by Brad Kaminski. -- Mastered by Blake Bickel of Dynamic Sound Service in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Acoustic Guitar and Vocals: Alex Rasmussen -- Drums: Coleman Ayers -- Bass: Dune Butler -- Keys: Charles Wicklander -- Electric Guitar: Dylan Welsh -- Harmony Vocals: Fae Wiedenhoeft

Photo: Jon Robinson