
KQED's Forum Forum from the Archives: Have You Lost Something That Once Defined You?
Jul 31, 2025
Greta Morgan, a talented musician and author known for her work with The Hush Sound and Vampire Weekend, shares her poignant journey after losing her voice due to a neurological disorder from COVID-19. She explores how this drastic change taught her to listen deeply, even experiencing the sensation of hearing the stars during a meteor shower. Topics include the healing power of songwriting, redefining her identity as an artist, and the emotional resilience required to navigate loss and adapt to new forms of creative expression.
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Music Reveals Hidden Truths
- Singing allowed Greta to access truths below conscious awareness.
- Music became a unique outlet for emotional processing deeper than conversation or therapy.
Facing a Lifelong Diagnosis
- Greta spent six months expecting vocal issues to heal with rest and treatment.
- Her eventual diagnosis of lifelong spasmodic dysphonia was a devastating shock.
Finding Comfort in Listening
- Losing the ability to perform shifted Greta from actor to witness.
- She found comfort in listening and observing rather than constantly doing or performing.



