Otter BewITCHed is the creative collective of Darleen Marie Muhly Simkins. Darleen is a singer-songwriter, poet, storyteller, and bard whose music celebrates the rhythms of nature and the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

I love the process of music creation and sharing. I have been drumming since at least age 4 when I woke the neighborhood banging on pots and belting out "Let's Have a Parade" the morning after seeing the Macy's Day Parade. 

I started playing professionally after finding a supportive community of musicians at Rhythms Coffee where I regularly perform and share new material at Monday open mics.

My music moniker is in honor of the love and support I receive from my husband. During a particularly hard time for our family, he told me, “Let’s be like the otters and hold hands so we don’t drift apart.” This became our mantra for caring for each other in times of trouble.  I am so grateful for him and the many others that reach out and support me. 

Otter BewITCHed also alludes to the power of women as child and knowledge bearers. The otter bitch is one of the four transformations of the Welsh goddess or witch, Cerridwen, in her pursuit of knowledge and poetic inspiration (Awen) for the love of her son, Morfran, deemed too ugly to be listened to. My songs celebrate the sacredness of all voices and perspectives.  Through songwriting I explore emotions as powerful catalysts for change and advocacy.

I have performed at Rhythms Coffee, the River City Playhouse, Owl’s Nest Coffee and Pastries, Pike Place Market, the Pig Bar, and the Lair Forest Festival. I released seven songs in 2023 and will be releasing eight more in the coming months.