Ancient Future Times: 2020 Vision
December 2019 Issue:
2020 Vision
•Ways to Help the World Fusion Movement Reduce Polarization
'Till 2020 Sale
•Recordings, Music Eduction, and Musical Scavenger Hunt
Global Guitar Summit
•12/6/19, Wu Wei Tea Temple, Fairfax
2020 Vision
In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. You can help our "fun raising" efforts to support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings:
- Make a Tax Deductible Donation. Ancient Future was accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations made through them on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law!
Fun Raising A.F.A.R. Past the Finish LineThe Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fun fan funded recording project, has over 86 minutes of music in it so far. Another set of studio tracks that will expand the project by over 50% are already in production.
Hundreds and hundreds of hours have already gone into the composition, rehearsal, pre-production, and recording the guitar and bansuri flute tracks for Beyond Kalyan, a new piece by Matthew Montfort based on Rag Kalyan. At around 30 minutes long, it is a very expansive, emotional, and difficult to perform piece. Mindia Devi spent several weeks practicing her bansuri flute parts, and all of the composed sections and most of her improvised solos have been recorded. The next step will recording Vishal Nagar's tabla tracks.
It's time for some "fun raising" to fund payments to master musicians so that they can carve out time to practice their parts and record them. We have raised 22% of our funding goal so far. This is substantial, but averages just a little more than 2% per year, so we need to greatly speed up our fun raising to complete the project.
Please consider becoming a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade to higher quality downloads until each supporter level is sold out. Once you become a supporter, you will receive all of the tracks in the archive (and all of the tracks that will be added in the future), and you will be eligible to buy a limited edition CD-R of the Best of A.F.A.R. So Far, which is includes all of the best tracks that will (barely) fit on a CD-R.
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2030)
- Recording Newsletter-$15 (receive 128 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $15.
- Download Supporter- $25 (320 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $25.
- Limited Edition CD Sponsor- $50 (all previous plus CD quality audio): Subscribe @ $50.
- Honorary A & R Representative- $75 (all previous plus video and 24 bit audio): Subscribe @ $75.
- Donor VIP- $??: Make Additional Donation.
- A.F.A.R. So Far CD-R- $20 Additional. (SALE $15): Buy CD-R Now.
Streaming payments to artists are absurdly low, and the switch from music ownership to ad supported streaming has greatly harmed artists' ability to create new work. But there are even more problems with streaming. The algorithms are set up to suggest artists who sound like the music that the listener is already listening to. So, how are people to find out about new directions in music or music from other cultures?
After you support the artists you enjoy by purchasing their work (FUN raise A.F.A.R.), you can help to support musical diversity by making and sharing your own playlists of Ancient Future with your favorite artists from different genres. This can help to expand people's awareness, rather than narrow it. Right now, due to heavily weighted major label playlists featuring Ancient Future with New Age artists popular in the 80's, Ancient Future is predominantly suggested by streaming services to fans of New Age music. This is very limiting for the world fusion music movement. Fans of New Age music have often enjoyed world fusion music, especially the slower tempo pieces. But this isn't helping the world fusion music movement to reach people who need to be turned on to more diverse music.
Apple MusicStream Ancient Future on Apple Music
If the above link doesn't work, search for Ancient Future directly in Apple Music. Apple doesn't have an ad supported tier, so it pays the most per stream of the major streaming companies at 65/100 of a penny net to Ancient-Future.Com Records, but that's nowhere near a sustainable payment that can support the creation of new recordings. It's much better to buy the downloads while you still can. Apple does allow you to make and share playlists. Please make public playlists with diverse artists and share them.
How to Make an Apple Music Playlist
SpotifyStream Ancient Future on Spotify
Spotify pays a lower streaming rate than Apple, but higher than YouTube. It is still extremely low, especially for the ad supported tier, where a stream nets Ancient-Future.Com Records only 17/100 of a penny, while the subscription tier nets 36/100 of a penny. All users of Spotify can create playlists.
How to Make a Spotify Playlist
Spotify playlists featuring Ancient Future with appropriate artists can be found at WorldFusionMusicRadio.Com.
PandoraStream Ancient Future on Pandora
Pandora pays less per stream than Spotify on its free radio format, but more than Spotify on its subscription tier. Ancient-Future.Com Records nets 8/100 of a cent per stream on Pandora radio playlists, and 41/100 of a cent for Pandora Premium. The free version of Pandora doesn't allow user playlist creation, but you can thumbs up and down tracks. The Ancient Future station on Pandora is populated almost exclusively with tracks by artists with no world music influences at all. Please thumbs down those selections. If you hear Ancient Future on any Pandora station, please thumb it up so that more people find out about world fusion music. If you are a Pandora Premium user, you can create playlists.
How to Make a Pandora Playlist
YouTubeWatch Ancient Future on YouTube
Stream Ancient Future on YouTube Music
YouTube Music pays the lowest of all major music streaming services. For example, 1,708,584 streams of a track by Ancient Future on our own label on YouTube's ad supported service overseas netted Ancient Future only $101.16. That's less than 6/1000 of a cent per stream! Yes, thousandths of a cent! If this had not been on our own label, the artist share would have been even less. This is a travesty. Perhaps it is best to listen to YouTube Music with the sound off. Their subscription tier nets Ancient-Future.Com Records 65/100 of a cent, which is on par with Apple Music, but less than 0.02% of the reported streams in 2019 were in the subscription tier, so the higher rate is just a PR stunt at this point. YouTube Music is available in more countries than Spotify and all users of YouTube can create playlists, so for the time being we are encouraging the creation of YouTube playlists to share with users in countries where Spotify isn't available. Just remember to do your own listening on other services.
How to Make a YouTube Playlist
'Till 2020 SaleRecordings, Music Education, and Musical Scavenger Hunt
Purchases at the Ancient-Future.Com World Music Store directly support the artists and the music, and this sale offers bargain prices until 2020!
Five for Fifty: Five Releases Just $10 Each
- Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-20302). Signed Audio/Video E-CD-R- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
- Planet Passion by Ancient Future( Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2010). CD- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
- Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017). CD- List $17.98.(SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
- Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2008). CD- List $17.98. (SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
- Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort (Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2012). Signed EP CD-R- List $12.98.(SALE $10): Buy 1 Now.
World Music Studies for Listeners and Musicians!Want to get more out of listening to music? Study of music traditions isn't just for musicians. For example, many listeners are attracted to the spiritual feeling of Indian classical music. But knowing the basics of tala (Indian rhythm cycles) will greatly enhance what one experiences while listening.
A great way to get started on a journey to become a better listener is to visit the education section of Ancient-Future.Com. Included are explanations of African, Arabic, Balinese, and Indian traditions along with some basic exercises to practice that require no instruments to perform. Your site surfing can even win prizes in this issue's Musical Scavenger Hunt! And as you learn more, you may wish to take a private Skype lesson to continue your studies.
Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort (Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2).
- Comb Bound Book- $46.95 (SALE $33.95): Buy 1 Now.
- Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95): Buy 1 Now.
- Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download (New Best Buy!)- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
- Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set (New Release!)- $34.95 (SALE 24.95): Buy 1 Now.
- Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95): Buy 1 Now.
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.
The new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.
Digital Liner Note Discounts
- Yearning for the Wind Digital Liner Notes. Download- $1.98 list (SALE $1.50): Buy 1 Now. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Features detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music.
- Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar Digital Liner Notes. Download- $2.98 list. (SALE $2): Buy 1 Now.17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper.
Study any of the musical traditions featured on the Ancient Future web site via private Skype lessons with Ancient Future bandleader and guitarist, Matthew Montfort. Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists, Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar (and other fretted instruments including ukulele, bass, mandolin, charango, and sitar) along with record production, composition, world rhythms, music theory, and repertoire for all instruments.
Skype Lessons- 60 Minute Lesson- $75. (SALE $60): Buy 1 Now. Custom private one hour online lesson.
- 45 Minute Lesson- $65. (SALE $48): Buy 1 Now. Custom private 45 minute online lesson.
- 30 Minute Lesson- $50. (SALE $36): Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson.
Gift certificates are available for online lessons worldwide via Skype and other webcam conferencing services. And for a limited time, an additional discount is automatically offered on a Skype tutorial with purchase of Matthew Montfort's book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India at Ancient-Future.Com!
Musical Scavenger Hunt
Hunt through Ancient-Future.Com to answer the scavenger hunt questions. All of those who get any answer right win an educational digital liner note download of their choice! Get all of the answers right and also win your choice of the Audio Guide or MIDI Groove companion tracks to the world rhythms training manual, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.
3 Scavenger Hunt Questions- Name six instruments utilized in an Eve percussion orchestra.
- What is the name of the more offbeat part of a Balinese kotèkan?
- What is the name of an 11 beat North Indian rhythmic cycle that includes two groupings of 1 1/2 beats?
This scavenger hunt contest is open only to subscribers to the Ancient Future Times. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering. Entries accepted through January 1, 2020. Send entries to info@ancient-future.com.
Global Guitar Summit
Friday, December 6, 8 PM
Global Guitar Summit
Wu Wei Tea Temple
1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Fairfax, CA 94930
No cover. Suggested donation: $10 - $20.
Info: wuweiteatemple.com
Facebook Event
Ancient Future leader and guitarist Matthew Montfort and German fingerstyle guitarist extraordinaire Teja Gerken return to the Wu Wei Tea Temple in Fairfax for an evening of music from around the world.
Matthew Montfort is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords.
Teja Gerken is known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings and two-handed tapping. His playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges.
Ali Hugo is a recognizable name in the indie music circles, one which increasingly needs no introduction. Hugo has been back in the music scene since 2015 and in that time, Hugo has been able to achieve 3 number one hit singles in the North American indie charts and “This Love Is True” became a number #1 Global hit single in the Global indie charts. Recently Hugo has been working on a new album titled “Hope for the Meek”. The album is a blend of Christian Rock, Gospel Music, Jewish Hymns and Islamic Qasidah. This new work is a radical departure from Hugo’s 2018 Gold-certified “Time Machine” EP. With “Hope for the Meek”, Hugo is inspired by the commonalities in the three monolithic faiths which trace their roots to the prophet Abraham, they are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Although the lyrical content of Hope for The Meek is spiritual, the music is radio-friendly straight-up pop music. The album is being released on Hugo’s Belief Records label. The first single from the album “Marching Saints” was supposed to be released this Christmas Eve, however, Phoenix FM in the UK picked it up early and prompted Belief Records to make the single available for streaming on various platforms before the official release date. So how does “Hope for the Meek” differ from the previous [Time Machine]? For one thing, there is a commonality between both records and that is they are both based on Hugo’s personal experiences. As far as “Hope for the Meek” is concerned, in 2000 AD Hugo picked up Karen Armstrong’s A History of God, a book that has had a lasting impact on Hugo. “What really struck me was the fact that many people view the three religions as being very different from each other instead of focusing on how the three are revealed by the very same source” “What Armstrong put across to me is the sequential theological progression of understanding the almighty through history’ ” As an artist, the book has definitely had an inspirational impact on the subject matters I want to write music about” is what Hugo conveyed when talking about “Hope for the Meek.” Hugo affirmed that “Hope for the Meek” is certainly not the soundtrack of any theological book. “I’m sure that there are better musicians out there who are more qualified at undertaking the task of creating a soundtrack to a theological or historical book” “Hope for the Meek, is just my way of saying I’m fully committed to praising Adonai, Jehovah and Allah” “Hope for the Meek” highlights what I’ve learned from A History of God which is “He is the one same God with many names”. “Quite frankly, I wouldn’t even attempt trying to write a soundtrack to any book let alone a book which deals with the themes of theology. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before, I remember reading Kenny Loggins book “The Unimaginable life” while at the same time listening to the book’s soundtrack. I was quite impressed at how Kenny was able to do well on that project what he has done for movie soundtracks. At the same time, I remember reading somewhere what a challenge it was for Kenny to get the book publisher and the record company to agree on anything ”The market of “Hope for the Meek” is of a different segment, whereas “Time Machine” was targeting audiences of “80’s & 90’s retro radio shows” along with stations that play contemporary Music. “Hope for the Meek” is taking the approach of gaining airplay on Gospel and Christian music radio stations and stations that also play contemporary music. Judging from the popularity Hugo has already gained from the first single of the album ‘Marching Saints’ which is currently getting extensive airplay in the UK, “Hope for the Meek” is likely to achieve more success than “Time Machine”. Whereas Canada was the home base for [Time Machine], The UK is the home base for “Hope for the Meek”. Hugo’s first single from the album will be available on YouTube Music by Dec 23rd.
By Belief Records PR Machine
New York native Jake Benjamin pens bold and intricate tracks that put his music on our radar immediately. The singer-songwriter brings an eclectic taste to the table that will leave his songs lingering in your ears for days to come. His latest single and video release for "Bound to You," showcases his soulful essence as he proves that he has staying power...without a doubt. With his upcoming EP due out early next year, titled "Finally Back Home," Benjamin will surely outdo himself with the depth of his songwriting both musically and lyrically. His vocals offer up a dash of heaven with underlying intricate tones that bring each of his melodies to life. Best described as "Jazz tinged Pop" Benjamin is truly in a class of his own in the current music world. It's noteworthy and shows that he will soon become a household name. These days, Jake is in New York music making within a community of musicians and friends. His next release, however, will showcase his solo artistry with a collection of songs themed around Vincent van Gogh. These recordings will highlight concepts of the psyche, the human condition, and they will showcase Jake’s innovative use of his looper station.
Benny Sinclair is an artist that has steadily been on our radar for the past few weeks. His new album "Assumptions," is an epic record that showcases Sinclair's intricated brand of Hip Hop. With roots in Australia, Sinclair is a burst of energy in the music scene, and as he launches himself into 2020, Benny Sinclair is the hottest thing heating up the Winter.We caught up with the up-and-coming rapper which will grab your ears as well.
When you are writing music, what comes first within the song? Melodies, certain tones, harmonies...
Firstly I listen to the beat then the melody, which prompts me to rap/flow or harmonise over it. Every time I hear new music, it triggers a unique flow in my mind.
What is the inspiration and aspirations behind the latest album release "Assumptions" which came out this month?
This LP is the 3rd instalment of 4 planned LP’s based on my life, my experiences & the four agreements which I use as a guide to personal freedom. I’m hoping to deliver a positive message to my fans & have an influence in their lives as well as entertain, provide great memories & get people moving on the dance floor, in their living rooms, in the gym or where ever they are when they hear my songs!
Can you tell us about the record? How did you create it? Were there any outside key players?
This LP is my favourite to date, & Im blessed to have had many talented people involved in its production. I recently set up a small studio for my business ‘Dime & Ruff’, where we recorded some of the tracks & mixed the LP. Other tracks were recorded at my producers studios.
What is the ultimate inspiration when penning the tracks, especially within the new album?
I’m inspired by inspiring others, with my words. I know with the single ‘Nothing Comes Easy’ I’ve had Boxers message me & say how much the words inspired them before their fights, this way is a more direct influence as in a fight you really need to mentally prepare yourself & from my experience its the most important thing, regardless of what shape you are in physically. Im hoping with other tracks I inspire fans in everyday life to give them strength & belief in them selves, & to enjoy my music & learn from the lessons I’ve learnt & express in some of the songs. I also wish to entertain & put a smile on peoples faces!
Do you produce and record your own songs, or do you head into the studio?
As I’ve mentioned I recently set up a small studio for my business ‘Dime & Ruff’, where we have recorded some of the tracks & mixed the LP. At the ‘Dime & Ruff’ studio I meet with my producers & we work directly from there. Other tracks are recorded at my producers studios, but the process is generally the same. I do the songwriting, rapping & singing, unless we collaborate with other artists on tracks & my producers take care of the music. I do have an influence during the production of the music & my Team is always happy to run with my ideas!
What are your key musical goals for the end of the year;and into the New Year?
My LP Assumptions is currently being played over USA college radio and getting air play on commercial radio stations. The support & response so far has been amazing! I’m beginning to write, get ideas & beats together for my 4th LP ‘The Best’ all going well so far. I have plans for ‘Dime & Ruff’ in the new year, & would love to come out to the states to perform & collaborate with producers or artists focussing on my next LP.
Connect on Social Media & Listen Loud with Benny Sinclair :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennysinclair/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennysinclair/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1lwECiFWy7HZ5PwDWCtzDo
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/au/artist/benny-sinclair/1193497488
Soundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/bennysinclair
Website: www.bennysinclair.com
Lesley Ann Foster is a Montreal based singer-songwriter, D.J., and radio host who has been a staple in the Montreal music scene. From UK dance, soul, cumbia, reggaeton, hip hop, and dark R&B, Foster’s sound draws from her eclectic musical taste and her growth as a collaborator. After a cross-Canada tour this summer, she's gearing up to release a new EP titled, "All My Lost Chances Are Beautiful."
Listen to her new single is out today called "Keep Faith" which accompanies "Cruel Love," her previous released single.
- The @WAKTM opera is based on a story by Chris Eales with music by Rupert Cheek.
- Mentorship, Management & Education provided by others involved in the festival
- Fairly Paid Work for those involved
- Skills sessions & workshops delivered by leading professionals e.g. live sound & production, how to make space in your community for events to happen, marketing advice, artist management, or how to work with booking agents.
- Practical support & guidance about marketing, fundraising, budgeting, logistics, and all aspects of event production. Tangible skills gained about effective event management.
- Have your work featured on the Cheeky Fest website & social media channels. The curators selected will have the opportunity to jointly curate an event at the next Cheeky Fest.
- Networking opportunities with other curators on the programme, professional artists & the Cheeky team.
- Financial support available for event programming & bursaries for e.g. travel.
- Platform for & investment (via @CheekyVentures ) in arts / music / events Startups & businesses - an 'opportunity' to share ideas & connect with potential partners, clients & customers. We will look for Startups whose technology / hardware / software / instruments could be used in the Opera.
Blues and Ballads, my latest digital album, has been released at Bandcamp.
I consider blues and ballads to be two pillars of jazz. The originals in this collection explore both conventional and unconventional approaches to these genres.
The 8-track album is $7. The music can be streamed (with the free Bandcamp app) or downloaded. As another option, individual recordings are $1 per track. Purchases help to fund new recordings of my originals.
My recent digital albums comprise a 6-volume collection with 45 recordings of my originals. Each album has its own character, styles, and moods.
Here is a link to the album: Blues and Ballads
New Fiddle Music, my latest digital album, has been released at Bandcamp.
Stylistically, the music includes jazz, modern Appalachian, Celtic, and ragtime...often blended together in unusual ways.
The 8-track album is $7. The music can be streamed (with the free Bandcamp app) or downloaded. As another option, individual recordings are $1 per track. Purchases help to fund new recordings of my originals.
Here is a link to the album: New Fiddle Music
A digital album of my original sambas and bossa novas -- and a tango thrown in for good measure -- has been released at Bandcamp.
The musical moods span contentment to get-up-and-dance exuberance...and lots in between.
The 7-track album is $7. The music can be streamed (with the free Bandcamp app) or downloaded. As another option, individual recordings are $1 per track. Purchases help to fund new recordings of my originals.
Here is a link to the album: Sambas, Bossa Novas, and a Tango
A digital album of my original music for mid-size jazz ensemble has been released at Bandcamp.
I am a fan of the mid-size ensemble and the creative possibilities it offers.
My vision for a mid-size ensemble is to use a woodwind quintet as a role model – that is, with each instrument having a distinct tone color – instead of thinking of it as a smaller version of a big band. This concept can be explored with either conventional or unconventional combinations of instruments. The ensemble can also have a level of flexibility and creative freedom that is usually associated with a small group.
Stylistically, this music is eclectic...spanning American roots to avant-garde.
The 8-track album is $7. The music can be streamed (with the free Bandcamp app) or downloaded. As another option, individual recordings are $1 per track. Purchases help to fund new recordings of my originals.
Here is a link to the album: Mid-Size Jazz Ensemble
Jaywalker brings some insight regarding the track:
The inspiration for the song came from only having one day off a week on the road. That is usually Sunday. On the way home the guys always ask what I am going to do with the day off, my reply would always be,” Just kickin back and hanging with my wife a kids” Can’t think of a better way to spend the day.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jaywalkercountry
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jaywalkerlive
Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/jaywalkercountry
YouTube: http://www.smarturl.it/JWYTChannel
Spend some time with Average Gypsy and you'll quickly learn that they operate out of pure love and integrity. Their tireless work ethic, dedication to continuous improvement and to honing their sound is reflected not only in their live performances, but also in their production. Their new single "Panda Bunny" highlights their high-energy, multi-genre blend of deep, rolling basslines and bouncy beats. The duo will have you obsessed within every listen as their driving beats will bring the party right to your headphones.
Listen in here: https://soundcloud.com/average-gypsy/panda-bunny/s-bGD9q
Built on a solid foundation of local support, Average Gypsy have earned a reputation for always delivering a top-notch performance. Known for their captivating stage presence, quick mixes and ability to flow through a wide range of selections, which are always cutting edge, never predictable and always dance-worthy. They’ve played numerous shows and festivals within Canada, such as Astral Harvest Music Festival (AB) and Motion Notion Music Festival (BC), and are starting to gain the attention of a global audience, playing festivals such as Genius Loci (Baja, Mexico) and One Love Fest (California, US). Recently, Average Gypsy have played several shows in the Southern California region as well as Spain, Mexico, Taipei and England.
Average Gypsy hustles. Their tireless work ethic, dedication to continuous improvement and to honing their sound is reflected not only in their live performances, but also in their production. Their debut EP, “On Yo Block!” reached #1 in Future House Releases and #30 of all releases on Beatport. Their most recent EP, "Get Some Money" reached #1 in Bass House Releases on Beatport and was played at Coachella and on Diplo's Revolution on SiriusXM. Josh & Dani have just finished producing their debut album, which is 7-track story album. Each track represents a pivotal moment in their journey together thus far.
Let's get this party started!
“I keep reminding myself that I’m only human and this DIY approach has its limits, I mean; I’m still obligated to promote “Time Machine” especially now that it is picking up in Honduras, Turkey and Japan but I’m also receiving pressure from my hardcore fans to announce the expected date for the release of “Hope for the Meek”, and that’s why my team and I decided that we should at least have the first single out by this Christmas” Hugo promised.
My main objective with this project is to be able to present my music and the culture of my country to the rest of the world. I think that these genres have much to offer world culture and that I can be a good link between Puerto Rico and the rest of the world. My music includes not only the traditional of my land, but also fuses it with Caribbean elements such as merengue and salsa and American elements such as jazz, funk and hip hop. The Nunez Project has a lot to offer and this production is a portrait of that.
The group is very special. The group itself includes Michael Rodriguez (Chick Corea) on trumpet , Janice Maisonet (Emina) on saxophone , Marcos López (Lila Downs) on drums , Camilo Molina (Eddie Palmieri) on congas-barriles and Jonathan Montes (4 for One) on piano. The beauty of this group is that we all know each other and have been working together for some time on other projects, therefore, there is an atmosphere of brotherhood. I am fortunate to have these musicians with me and have agreed to be part of this recording.
A digital album of my original tangos has been released at Bandcamp.
I am deeply attracted to tango nuevo and Astor Piazzolla 's music. My tangos are written in a personal style and are not intended to be like conventional ballroom tango music. They draw upon jazz and at times have a touch of contemporary classical. In a curious way, several musician friends have told me that they hear a Frank Zappa influence in some of my tangos. I suspect that is due to the humor that runs through much of my music.
The 7-track album is $7. The music can be streamed (with the free Bandcamp app) or downloaded. As another option, individual recordings are $1 per track. Purchases help to fund new recordings of my originals.
Here is a link to the album: Tangos
Up-and-coming Canadian songwriter Mark Martyre is no stranger to the world of music. With an epic collection of albums under his belt, he has just released his skillfully penned new record "Light Years," which came out on August 23. Hailing from Canada, Martyre brings to us his new single "Wait," which has us adoring his music with each and every listen. The peaks and valleys of the track set the true tone for the record; enchanting, well written, and stunning. "Wait," is filled with tinges of blues that bring the track, as well as the album, full circle.
A new video has been added to my page. It presents six of my original compositions for mid-size jazz ensemble. Think of it as a virtual concert. The visuals are only title screens and one photo for each piece. Please focus on the music. Imagine that you are in an audience listening to a performance by a live band. If you are not able to watch the video's 23-minute length at one time, take it in segments.
https://form.jotform.com/72060343501139
Ancient Future Times: Spectacular Summer Show in the Sierras, School Sale, Scene Seeks Support
Summer 2019 Issue:
Ancient Future in the Sierra Nevada September 1
•Music at the Mine in Sierra City for Your Labor Day Weekend Holiday!
Back to the Ancient Future Back to School Sale
•Recordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Musical Scavenger Hunt
3 Ways to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement
•Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future, Make a Direct Donation, Support A.F.A.R.
Ancient Future in the Sierra Nevada September 1
Pictured: Matthew Montfort (guitar), Aditya Kalyanpur (tabla), Doug McKeehan (keys).
Sunday, September 1, 3 PM
Music at the Mine
Kentucky Mine Amphitheater
100 Kentucky Mine Rd.
Sierra City, CA 96125
Tix: $22 adv., $25 door, $10 kids 7 to 17 years old. Kids 6 and under are FREE! Buy Tix.
Info: Call Chris Stockdale at 530-862-1076 or email cstockrock@gmail.com
Facebook Event
Press Release
Ancient Future returns to perform at the Music at the Mine series at the Kentucky Mine Amphitheater for the first time since 2000. This outdoor amphitheater is in a stunningly spectacular setting nestled below the Sierra Buttes.
This uptempo program features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, virtuoso keyboardist Doug McKeehan, and world famous Indian tabla phenomenon Aditya Kalyanpur, who is flying in from India for the event!
Montfort and McKeehan have played hundreds of concerts together with master musicians from many different traditions, and Montfort and Kalyanpur are known for their duet program that emanates strains of passionate flamenco and ethereal Indian raga and fires up crowds at outdoor festivals. This virtuoso trio's uptempo program is an exhilarating and improvisatory take on Ancient Future's broad repertoire.
Featured MusiciansAditya Kalyanpur (Indian tabla)
Beginning his studies at the age of five under the vigilance of tabla maestro late Ustad Allarakha and tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, Aditya Kalyanpur is considered as one of the most promising torchbearers of the Punjab Gharana style of tabla performance. Aditya was first seen with his guru Ustad Zakir Hussain for the famous "Wah Taj!" television commercial at the age of 11. Having the honor of being recognized as an "A" Grade Artist of All India Radio, he has given public performances along with his guru. Since then he has lent the enchanting music of his tabla to numerous commercials. We hear his tabla ringing in the background of the film "Everybody Says I am Fine" where Zakir Hussain composed the background score. To quote the acknowledging words of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain for his young, talented disciple; "Even a young player like, say, Aditya Kalyanpur has the ability to approach the instrument with much more expertise than someone of his age would do 30 years ago." Honored with the title of 'Taal – Mani', Aditya Kalyanpur is the recipient of I.T.C's prestigious "Vidyasagar Award" as well as the "Sangeet Visharad." He has performed with many famous groups in a variety of genres, including the Rolling Stones.
Doug McKeehan (keys)
Doug McKeehan started his piano studies at age five, and began his first professional work at the age of twelve. He studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory, Kent State University, and the University of Otago (New Zealand). He has toured Europe twice and spent considerable time in India studying with notable Indian music teachers such as Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Kursheed Khan and Pandit A.G. Bhattacharya. He has composed original music for stage and T.V. productions in San Francisco and Los Angeles and has been musical director of two original musical comedy productions. He cofounded Air Craft with violinist Bruce Bowers, which released a highly acclaimed progressive jazz album, So Near, So Far (Crafted Air CA 30100). Since joining Ancient Future in 1985, he has performed hundreds of concerts with the band.
Matthew Montfort (band leader, scalloped fretboard guitar)
Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. He is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). Montfort spent three months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. In 2009, he released his first solo guitar recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, which debuted at #8 on Zone Music Reporter's Top 100 February 2009 World Radio Chart, and held the #34 spot on the Top 100 of 2009. He has performed concerts worldwide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona and the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay. He has performed live on national radio and TV shows such as the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.
Back to the Ancient Future Back to School SaleRecordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Musical Scavenger Hunt
Purchases at the Ancient-Future.Com World Music Store directly support the artists and the music, and our back to school sale offers bargain prices!
Five for Fifty: Five Releases Just $10 Each
- Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Signed Audio/Video E-CD-R. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
- Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2010. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
- Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
- Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2008. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
- Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2012. Signed EP CD-R. List $12.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
The Ancient-Future.Com Record Store is the only place where all of the Ancient Future band recordings, including out of print major label recordings, are available on CD. The site also features releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records, the band's artist coalition label, and side projects by Ancient Future band members on other labels.
Educational Materials Sale: Get More Enjoyment Out of MusicWorld Music Studies for Listeners and Musicians!Want to get more out of listening to music? Study of music traditions isn't just for musicians. The more you know about music, the more you will get out of listening to it. For example, many listeners are attracted to the spiritual feeling of Indian classical music. But knowing the basics of tala (Indian rhythm cycles) will greatly enhance what one experiences while listening.
A great way to get started on a journey to become a better listener is to visit the education section of Ancient-Future.Com. Included are explanations of African, Arabic, Balinese, and Indian traditions along with some basic exercises to practice that require no instruments to perform. Your site surfing can even win prizes in this issue's Musical Scavenger Hunt! And as you learn more, you may wish to take a private Skype lesson to continue your studies.
Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2.
- Comb Bound Book. $46.95 SALE $33.95. Buy 1 Now.
- Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Files. $74.95 SALE $53.95. Buy 1 Now.
- Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download. New Best Buy! $69.95 SALE $49.95. Buy 1 Now.
- Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set. New Release! $34.95 SALE 24.95. Buy 1 Now.
- Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set. $39.95 SALE $29.95. Buy 1 Now.
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.
The new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.
Digital Liner Note Discounts
- Yearning for the Wind Digital Liner Notes. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Features detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
- Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar Digital Liner Notes. 17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper. $2.98 list. SALE $2. Buy 1 Now.
- Sympathetic Serenade Digital Liner Notes. 9 page .pdf of liner notes for Sympathetic Serenade for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Features explanations of musical concepts. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
- Planet Passion Digital Liner Notes. 11 page .pdf of liner notes for Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Features comprehensive notes detailing a mythical story of love through the musical traditions of the world. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
Study any of the musical traditions featured on the Ancient Future web site via private Skype lessons with Ancient Future bandleader and guitarist, Matthew Montfort. Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists, Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar (and other fretted instruments including ukulele, bass, mandolin, charango, and sitar) along with record production, composition, world rhythms, music theory, and repertoire for all instruments.
Skype Lessons- 60 Minute Lesson. $75. SALE $60. Buy 1 Now. Custom private one hour online lesson.
- 45 Minute Lesson. $65. SALE $48. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 45 minute online lesson.
- 30 Minute Lesson. $50. SALE $36. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson.
Gift certificates are available for online lessons worldwide via Skype. The lessons can also be conducted through other webcam chat and conferencing services. And for a limited time, an additional discount is automatically offered on a Skype tutorial with purchase of Matthew Montfort's book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India at Ancient-Future.Com!
Musical Scavenger Hunt
Start the school year with this scavenger hunt to win music education materials and learn about the ancient musical traditions of the world! Hunt through Ancient-Future.Com to answer the scavenger hunt questions. All of those who get any answer right win an educational digital liner note download of their choice! Get all of the answers right and also win your choice of the Audio Guide or MIDI Groove companion tracks to the world rhythms training manual, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.
3 Scavenger Hunt Questions- Name six instruments utilized in an Eve percussion orchestra.
- What is the name of the more offbeat part of a Balinese kotèkan?
- What is the name of an 11 beat North Indian rhythmic cycle that includes two groupings of 1 1/2 beats?
This scavenger hunt contest is open only to subscribers to the Ancient Future Times. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering. Entries accepted through September 15, 2019. Send entries to info@ancient-future.com.
3 Ways to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement
1. Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future
Your tax deductible contribution can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings.
In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. You can help by supporting it financially:
- Make a Tax Deductible Donation. Ancient Future was accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations made through them on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law!
- Make a Direct Donation (not tax deductible). This works well for those who are not part of the top 10% of U.S. taxpayers expected to benefit by itemizing deductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Help Push A.F.A.R. Past the Finish LineThe Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, has over 86 minutes of music in it so far. Another set of studio tracks totaling 43 minutes are already in production. The new tracks will represent a 50% expansion of the project!
We have raised 21% of our funding goal so far. This is substantial, but averages just a little more than 2% per year, so we need to greatly speed up our fundraising to complete the project. Please consider becoming a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade to higher quality downloads until each supporter level is sold out.
Once you become a supporter, you will receive all of the tracks in the archive (and all of the tracks that will be added in the future), and you will be eligible to buy a limited edition CD-R of the Best of A.F.A.R. So Far, which is includes all of the best tracks that will (barely) fit on a CD-R.
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030)
- Recording Newsletter. $15 (receive 128 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $15.
- Download Supporter. $25 (320 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $25.
- Limited Edition CD Sponsor. $50 (all previous plus CD quality audio): Subscribe @ $50.
- Honorary A & R Representative. $75 (all previous plus video and 24 bit audio): Subscribe @ $75.
- Donor VIP. Make Additional Donation.
- A.F.A.R. So Far CD-R. $20 Additional. SALE $15. Buy CD-R Now.
Hundreds and hundreds of hours have already gone into the composition, rehearsal, pre-production, and recording the guitar tracks for this new piece by Matthew Montfort. Beyond Kalyan is based on Rag Kalyan, but takes it in new directions, even altering the basic recipe for the raga, hence the title. It is a very expansive, emotional, and difficult to perform piece. Mindia Devi spent several weeks practicing her bansuri flute parts, and then did a five hour recording session, nailing all of the composed parts. The next step will be to record her improvised solos. After that, it will be Vishal Nagar's turn to contribute tabla tracks.
Right now, we need to raise funds to pay musicians so that they can carve out time to practice their parts and record them. To complete the project, it would really help to have funds coming in more quickly. Please sign up to support the project!
The renowned Australian and English musicians Rebecca Daniel and Fiona Joy Hawkins present a powerful exploration of loss and beauty amidst life's sadness in an uplifting Classical Crossover style.
On this new album, The Lightness of Dark, the two explore the many facets of life and loss, the search for something positive in the crippling shadows; the resulting album is an example of the potential beauty that can emerge from mourning and sadness. Hawkins and Daniel will be supporting the Classical Crossover-style album with U.S.-based performances in Fall 2019, at Dizzy's in San Diego (https://bit.ly/2GHaa4E), also in Colorado, Julian, CA, and at an exclusive ticketed event in Los Angeles; updates on the duo's Facebook page.
“We believe our album will connect with everyone because we all experience loss in varying forms,” Hawkins says. “It can be the loss of youth, a loved one, a pet, your health...life changing events where we are left to mourn because of loss. People only face their own issues when you lead them to a safe place to do this.”
Both Hawkins and Daniel know that when real life becomes art, experiences can be shared, learned from and resonate with others who are going through similar challenging situations in their lives. Both were channeling the effects of difficult personal experiences into the music they were creating on their own, and soon realized their intent, ideas and visions for what this project could ultimately be melded perfectly.
Music critic Jonathan Widran observes, "While The Lightness of Dark is most-richly experienced in its entirety as the duo converse and ultimately merge their expressions into a singular statement of grace, several pieces stand out thematically" on the 11-track album, including "Interwoven Threads of Chance" and "Ghosts, Insanity, Angels."
The Lightness of Dark weaves its lush, cathartic narrative via music with varying instrumentation depending on the emotions the two are expressing. The opening track “Heavenly Voices” blends string quartet (featuring The Kanimbla Quartet) with organ, piano and vocals. Other tracks, feature solo piano (“Ghosts, Insanity, Angels”), piano/violin duet (“Elegy”), piano with quartet pads (“Lake of Contemplation”), string quartet only (“Interwoven Threads of Chance”), string quartet featuring piano (“Empty Moments”) and other combinations uniquely fitted for the compositions they imbue.
Daniel’s fascination with Trauermusik (mourning or funeral music) began with the study of Paul Hindemith. Hindemith wrote a famous piece of Trauermusik for solo viola and string orchestra, and since performing this in the UK, Rebecca has embraced the rich and layered sounds of viola with string accompaniment. She says, “I drew inspiration for the Theme and Variations on a Ground Bass, from Hindemith's ‘Trauermusik’ and Purcell's ‘Dido's Lament’, which I have performed in the UK. Both pieces are powerfully tragic, and yet the beauty that comes through is deeply moving and engaging, in a way that leaves you uplifted, and wanting the experience again. On the title track ‘The Lightness of Dark,’ for instance, I use viola as a solo voice, as did Hindemith, and a simple descending bass line in the strings and piano, as a repetitive foundation for solo lines, as used by Purcell. The piece is written for string quartet, piano and vocalist, and uses repetition and simplicity to convey an emptiness and yearning, juxtaposed with rich chords in the strings and piano. The listener should be left emotional, yet content and at peace.”
The duo have enjoyed a long history of collaborations, and enjoyed working together with renowned Australian Producer Llew Kiek on the project. Daniel and Hawkins have performed over 50 concerts together including at the Sydney Opera House for the 2012 MusicOz Awards, New Orleans for 2014 ZMR Awards and 2017 Sydney Women’s International Jazz Festival; Daniel has appeared on nearly every one of Hawkin’s solo albums. The two have played together as part of Hawkin’s Blue Dream Ensemble, and Daniel produced the group’s album, Live at the Q.
Rebecca Daniel studied violin and chamber music with Emanuel Hurwitz and the Amadeus String Quartet at The Royal Academy of Music. She worked with Trevor Pinnock and Simon Standage, and The Australian Chamber Orchestra, and was Orchestra Leader for Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast. She has recorded and performed with, John Denver, Bread, James Galway and the Chieftains, Will Ackerman, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand, Men at Work and INXS.
Fiona Joy Hawkins, a Conservatorium-trained pianist, renowned for her romantic, melodic songs and lush arrangements, is a prolific composer, who regularly tours China and the USA and is also a member of the Contemporary New Age instrumental group FLOW (Fiona Joy, Lawrence Blatt, Jeff Oster, Will Ackerman). Fiona’s song “Grace" is on a 2014 GRAMMY-Winning album, and in 2016 she won two Independent Music Awards at the Lincoln Centre in New York. She has several Best Piano Album ZMR Awards and regularly works with Producer Will Ackerman (Founder Windham Hill Records) and Cookie Marenco (Blue Coast Records) for hi-resolution audiophile recordings.
The artists invite fans to connect on social media to share stories of loss and healing through music:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FionaJoyHawkinsRebeccaDaniel/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/fionajoymusic
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RebeccaDmusic
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fionajoymusic/
San Diego Concert Info:
Location: Dizzy's Arias Hall
Date: 10.4.19, doors open 7:30pm
1717 Morena Blvd., San Diego, CA, US 92110
Cash or Venmo at the door, or tix online: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4306933
The Lightness of Dark is available today for purchase at Amazon, Bandcamp and other fine retailers, as well as streaming at Apple Music and other platforms worldwide, including Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6bsketAtyg6m3ay0iRBFuA
Sangeeta Kaur's new album COMPASSION is an astonishingly-beautiful recording of outstanding performances and deeply-emotional expression.
"My inspiration for producing this album Compassion was from seeing and feeling the world’s suffering," Kaur shares. "Everyday, there is something tragic that is happening in our world, with our children and with our planet. Some days, I feel an unbearable weight for people, for my loved ones, for the strangers we pass by."
Collaborating with Kaur are GRAMMY®-winning percussionist MB Gordon as well as GRAMMY®-nominated cellist Eru Matsumoto, with renowned composer and trusted producer Nicolas Neidhardt featured on piano and keyboard, while Duy Tran and Danaë Vlasse gift their talents in choral writing. Performances are enhanced by the sonic simplicity of crystal singing bowls, improvised by Sangeeta Kaur and GRAMMY®-winning soprano Hila Plitmann.
According to Felicia Tomasko, Editor-in-Chief of LA YOGA Magazine and President of Bliss Network, "Sangeeta Kaur is a unique talent. Her soaring and transcendent vocal range is expressive throughout a wide variety of musical styles. In songs like 'May the Long Time Sun' Sangeeta offers a completely fresh interpretation of a classic that is played and sung in Kundalini Yoga communities. Each of her albums and live performances feature exquisite musicianship that provides the personal soundtrack to our modern-day spiritual experience. Sangeeta Kaur's New Age/Classical crossover album Compassion is a must-have addition to the modern-day seeker’s playlist.”
Compassion is based on mantras from different lineages and practices that promote compassion, some with original lyrics and others without. “Rise Up” is an anthemic song to lift the spirits of those who are falling deep into darkness and who need a push into light, while “Transcendence” and “We are One” create an experience of wonder and bliss to help the mind stay in an elevated space, without words. Deep yet uplifting to the soul, Kaur’s hope is that Compassion can be a first step in raising one’s vibration and spirit to a place where he/she can at least have a sense of hope. Once there, infinite possibilities arise for listeners embracing the music.
A series of live concerts are planned to share Compassion with the world. To all of her music, Kaur brings a passion for performance and an award-winning pedigree aligning classical opera training, Kundalini yoga and a deeply personal Tibetan Buddhist practice. Her unique style and commitment to honoring her dharma as a Voice for the sacred path has taken Kaur all over the globe from world renowned U.S. venues such as the Broad Stage and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Follow concert dates at https://www.sangeetakaurmusic.com/events
Compassion was produced by Sangeeta Kaur and Nicolas Neidhardt, recorded and mixed by Gerhard Joost, and mastered by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering; it was recorded at East West Studios and The Village Studios, and mixed at Groove Mountain Studios.
Previous New Age/Classical Crossover albums by Kaur include MIRRORS, Ascension, and Niguma, which was the first work of its kind to congruently combine Ancient Sacred Wisdom of the East with a cinematic visual choreography on the stage, building a bridge between the worlds of sacred chant, classical opera and modern dance.
Track List:
1. Om Tare Tuttare Ture Sona
2. Rise Up
3. Transcendence
4. May the Long Time Sun
5. Song of Compassion Feat. Hila Plitmann Vocals & Danaë Vlasse Crystal Singing Bowls
6. Om Vajra Sattva Hum
7. We are One
8. Sa Re Sa Sa
9. Voices and Crystals Feat. Hila Plitmann
10. Voices of Compassion Chorus Medley
About Sangeeta Kaur:
Sangeeta Kaur (Teresa Mai) is a Vietnamese-American trained opera singer, mantra singer, producer and Global Peace Song Awards 2016 winner. She is a sound artist who is inspired to bring healing and awakening through music and yoga. Sangeeta was musically trained at California State University of Long Beach Music School and also at The Boston Conservatory of Music, with focuses in Opera and Voice. She has performed many different operatic roles throughout the US and Europe. Her love for mantra music began when she met her spiritual teachers in New York City who then guided her toward the practice and studies of Tibetan Buddhism, Kundalini Yoga, Yoga of Lady Niguma and the Yoga of Sound and Mantra.
About Compassion:
Compassion is an astonishingly-beautiful recording of outstanding performances and deeply-emotional expression. Sangeeta Kaur's fourth New Age/Classical Crossover album presents fresh collaborations with the Hungarian Studio Orchestra, Hungarian Studio choir and Los Angeles based choir The Sterling Ensemble, which raise her heavenly soprano vocals to angelic levels. Renowned composer and producer, Nicolas Neidhardt, features again on piano and keyboard, while Duy Tran and Danaë Vlasse gift their talents in choral writing. Enhanced by the sonic simplicity of crystal singing bowl, improvised by Sangeeta Kaur and Grammy winning soprano Hila Plitmann, Compassion provides a vocal healing balm for our souls, expressed deeply & emotionally from Sangeeta's loving heart.
Social Media:
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/sangeetakaurmusicofficial/
Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/sangeetakaurmusic/?hl=en
Twitter-https://twitter.com/sangeetakaur111
Compassion is available for purchase in physical and digital formats at Amazon (https://amzn.to/2SZPM3Z) and fine retailers, and is available for streaming at Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/3O1N0Y2cRJiSCCs0TP1xMn), Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/compassion/1473520689) and other platforms worldwide.
#SangeetaKaur #Compassion #NicolasNeidhardt #Mantra #NewAgeMusic #MusicforMeditation #MusicforHealing #ClassicalCrossover #ContemporaryClassicalMusic #ChoirMusic #Soprano #TheSterlingEnsemble #HungarianStudioOrchestra #HungarianStudioChoir #FemaleComposer #VietnameseAmericanComposer #TeresaMai #DuyTran #HilaPlitmann #DanaëVlasse #KundaliniYoga #TibetanBuddhistpractice #AsianArts
The music of healing and survival, romance, meditation, and perfection. What you will hear is entirely instrumental but every note tells a story with a reverent lingering familiarity. Precisely articulated emotions, the story is told in the notes and the space between the notes. Hear a man with gifted fingers and a piano, the perfect heartfelt connection. The songs are peaceful, packed full of romance and yearning, seeking love in all the right places, carefully, note by note; true, slow, and thoughtful. Let your tension evaporate in this cool resting place. Let your mind return to the oldest mysteries of the heart.
Romantic, contemplative and dreamy, Cupid Blindfolded is a 10-song album filled with the gorgeous melodies and air that has made Whalen an internationally-celebrated recording artist and film composer. Recorded, mixed and mastered earlier this spring by Tom Eaton at Will Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studios, Cupid Blindfolded was recorded on the studio’s famed Steinway B in single, full takes without editing, while being simultaneously filmed by 6 cameras; Whalen debuted a mini-documentary called “The Making of Cupid Blindfolded” for his fans in May.
“Making this album is the fulfillment of a dream and it represents a wonderful new era for my music,” Whalen commented. “I am so excited about partnering with Real Music on Solace. Having my own imprint label is a dream come true. The name Solace says everything you need to know about the intention of the music. After decades of creating recordings and content on my own, I am so happy to have a team of great people to create with, collaborate with and plan the future with. Cupid Blindfolded is the first of some really exciting music we’ve planned. I can’t wait!”
The New York Times once wrote, “Michael Whalen’s music echoes in your soul...” and his return to solo piano is already resonating with music writers. Kathy Parsons of MainlyPiano.com, who interviewed Whalen extensively in June, shared her opinion, writing “With his first purely solo piano album since 1999, Michael Whalen returns to his “unplugged” roots and pours his heart into every note. Cupid Blindfolded will certainly stand as one of the best albums of the year as well as one of the best piano albums of the decade.”
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3GB7FW/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_F13jDbYB2W8BA
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/5f1oYzbHZPBLxRChozOMcJ
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cupid-blindfolded-solo-piano/1468881661?ls=1&app=itunes
Track List:
1. “Cupid Blindfolded” (4:05)
2. “All Of My Heart. All Of My Soul” (4:10)
3. “Reflection Of My Affection” (3:56)
4. “Sunrise in the Desert” (3:59)
5. “The Muse” (3:56)
6. “At The Touch Of A Lover” (3:09)
7. “Standing in the Rain” (5:04)
8. “Serendipity” (4:38)
9. “Isle Of Skye” (4:26)
10. “City Of Lights” (5:15)
About Michael Whalen: Known for his beautiful melodies and gorgeous textures, Michael has fused his expertise with sound design and his love of soaring cinematic melodies into a unique sound that has been loved since his first commercially-released music on Narada (Universal) in 1993. Michael is an expert on music copyrights, music monetization and is seen frequently on panels and on-line talking about the future of the music business. Michael has been adjunct professor at the Berklee College of Music, The City College of New York, NYU, The New School and now teaches at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
After many years of shying away from the camera, Ali Hugo recently collaborated on a photo-shoot with Vogue Italy photographer William Clay Autery. Autery who is originally an American from Dallas Texas owner of Anthology Media Group is well known in the fashion industry for working on projects for GQ and Vogue amongst many of the other magazines in the fashion industry. The photos from the shoot, as well as a short documentary on the collaboration, will be posted on Hugo's website by August 12th 2019.
Ali Hugo PR Team
Belief PR Group
#vogue; #italy; #voguecafe; #urbanbehavior; #alihugo; #clayautery; #anthologymediagroup; #beliefrecords;
Many people are of the notion, that good music travels. This notion has proven to be reality for the Agorsor Band, led by Nyorwunofia Agorsor who have received a warm reception since the release of critically acclaimed Hugadem album.
With media rounds for the album leading Agorsor band to wide audiences on Joy News and other news and entertainment platforms, the lead vocalist has remained resilient in creating environmental awareness. Beyond interviews, awareness is also raised through songs on the album; making the album a Pan-African music journal.
Agorsor seems to have infected the airwaves with these messages preached on their album. With Beat FM playing “I Do Not Know”, on Abuja’s busiest morning show, it is easy to say that Nigerians political class have come to terms with the messages of Agorsor’s album. The live music band has also received airplay from Kiss FM in Lagos and Kasapa FM in Accra.
This, as described by the members of Agorsor Band, is encouragement to reach more corners with art, music and awareness. “Music is a way to create change and if our music is being accepted, it is a sign that we’re making our change. But we must not stop”, Nyorwunofia said.
The band said in an exclusive discussion, that it is set to release visuals to put the music even further. “We want to serve audiences across the world, live music in every form. We’ve recently completed production for our live music videos and will be announcing to the media, when they are ready for consumption”, a member of the band explained.
http://www.zonethree6.tv/agorsor-band-set-to-release-live-music-videos-after-great-reception-in-nigeria/
A look into Agorsor Band, reveals the mysteries of the shrine, art and the need to keep our environment safe.
Agorsor Band, Led by Nyornuwofia Agorsor featured a month ago, on Joy News TV. The news feature took a long look at art, music and our world through the eyes of the socio-conscious band.
Watch Nyornuwofia Agorsor, speak to Mzgee on Music, art and the shrine.
The feature was broadcast across 26 African countries.
The bands views have remained consistent, as they interact with the press, in the quest to promote their debut body of work, HUGADEM.
Also speaking on the album which has racked impressive digital streams and is set to be released in vinyl, during a conversation with ENews TV that spanned many topics, the band, shared their music and views, that represents a classic Pan-African utopia.
https://www.modernghana.com/news/925434/agorsor-band-reveals-mysteries-of-the-shrine-and-more.html
By Emmanuel Oscar Ugoh
Sitting behind a desk on a cool Sunday evening, it became extremely important to begin this review as close to perfect, as I could. I had met with Kofi and Nyornuwofia Agorsor a few hours ago, at their home in Accra. Despite the time spent at the space which could be best described, as an art hub; dripping with coloured canvases, chipped wood and important conversations, I was now meeting them, through the idea of their music and the effort of their production.
HUGADEM means THE ABSOLUTE IS MARRIED TO ME.
On the 8 track HUGADEM album, released quietly on music trading platforms in December 2018 under AGORSOR RECORDS, the AGORSOR BAND brings to your ears the true spirit of Afro World Music. Taking pieces of where they come from, fusing these pieces on a clean line of live instruments and delivering a series of stories that are told with the voice of Nyornuwofia.
One will be quick to judge the album, composed by Kofi and Nyornuwofia Agorsor, and it’s content, as “Traditional Music”, considering it’s instrumentalization and natural breeze of the African countryside that one walks through, as he/she begins to get lost in the nature of the music.
However, my interaction with Kofi and Nyornuwofia earlier equipped me with the insight to properly identify the music. With members of the band like Kofi Agorsor, Emmanuel “Chico” Napour, Julius Quaye and Dzimesah “Yoga” Boku providing the spirit of Nyornuwofia’s vocal storytelling with the souls of the Xylophone, Conga, Gome, Flute and Gonje, a full body of art is created and the air of composition presents different identities, that bring an individual face, sound and mannerism to each track.
From the first track, the instruments and vocals appear like a typical African family, where it’s a taboo for parents to show favouritism to any ward; carefully carrying the responsibility for each child to maintain his/her individual identity and stand in the spotlight at the most appropriate time, while remembering to give way for the next sibling soon enough. On “Am not talking to you” for instance, the flute stands alone for a while, as it brings peace to a defiantly told story. Giving the spotlight to this particular instrument provides an oasis on this eight-minute opener to an eight-track album. This is then lifted by injecting the xylophone and percussions to create the right curve- an intersection that gives enough room to ponder on what has been sung by Nyornuwofia and prepare for what is to be said next.
The Xylophone sounds like the eldest member of this family, for most of the album. On tracks like “HUGADEM” it is heard setting the tone for the song’s melodic pattern before the vocalist infuses her story. The percussions are middle children that help diversify the sound on each track; always composed differently, like a painter’s attempt to create dapple images with the same colour pallets. This may be a silent way of telling us that the Agorsor band and its debut album was born on a foundation of visual art. The penchant to create and recreate different emotions, stories and images with the same basic composites is awoken throughout the album. This begins to sound like a walk through any of the AGORSOR exhibitions, like the recent one at Brazil House during the 2018 Chale Wote Street Art Festival.
The lack of hurry is also felt, as lyrics are spaced out long enough for you to ruminate their value and instruments run long enough for the listener to catch the soul. This leaves us with long tracks, in a world where most musicians limit themselves to three minutes and a few seconds. The AGORSOR band brings to life, the belief that music must take you on a journey, which characteristically takes time and must not be rushed. The track titles On HUGADEM are also consistent with whole sentences. “I do not know what they need”, “Why do we give away”, “Just a little sleep” and other titles, carry on the ideology that nothing on this project is a rush. The band gives you a foresight of the stories to be told, yet still manages to surprise you with the manner in which they are told.
On the album, Nyornuwofia provides a voice for the different tribes of Africa, as she tells their stories in a beautiful Kaleidoscope of languages. This to the untrained ear usually comes out as one language. On “No More” which is a few seconds shy of six minutes, the vocalist unifies the languages of the GAs, Ewes, Ashantis, and other tribes in her story. This creates the seemingly complete spirit of her motherland, as the different languages come together like varied shades of paint to create a pied beautiful, as she sings about the gloomy history and effects of colonization. As the song fades away, we experience four other stories, they are ushered into “Seventeen Days” by the xylophone.
By the sixtieth second of this track, we all eagerly join Nyornuwofia under the baobab tree. We are now hungry to find out why she has been instructed to stay put for seventeen days. This eagerness is quickly transformed to excitement, as Nyornuwofia’s vocal modulation and the live instruments come together to quickly lift your countenance. The natural feel beneath the baobab tree enters you, as you begin to sway gently. The AGORSOR band are the gentle midnight breeze that has now transformed you to a branch on this tree, before quickly sending you on another journey.
On “Two Minutes” the band weighs the human conundrum of repeatedly falling in the same trouble. Now the listener joins Nyornuwofia, as an observant little girl. The purity of her voice carries the story as she meekly questions why we repeat mistakes. The track is prepared in a manner that encourages self-evaluation. By the end of this particular journey, I was left wondering why I find myself repeating mistakes -a flaw I had just noticed after the AGORSORs pointed me in the direction.
One track takes six and a half minutes to ask the question, “Why do we give away”. It’s hard to tell if this and other tracks like it on the album are an act of passive resistance or active resistance. The strong messages and colourful instrumentalisation, help create this conundrum. However isolating the lyrics, it is clear that the vocalist is unhappy about colonization, our attitude to it and the mentality that it came with. This mood has been set, by her dissatisfaction with the African school system. Which in her observation, breeds servitude.
Even though she speaks English (The language that we inherited with colonialism) she avoids trying to sound UnAfrican; retaining her thick West African accent and constantly reminding us where she hails from, by bellowing the local languages that existed long before the first slave ship reached our shores.
Listen to the album HERE
by Emmanuel Oscar Ugoh
Music crosses borders, transcends barriers, bridges gaps and reaches the places other art forms can not reach. Your heart and soul benefit greatly from submitting to the Rhythm! www.radio-woyaya.com
In the Western world, "World music" refers either to music that doesn't fall into the North American and British pop or folk traditions or to hybrids of various indigenous musics. Certain styles -- such as Jamaican reggae or Latin pop -- grew large enough to be classified as their own genre, but everything else, from traditional Chinese music to African folk, is classified as world music. Worldbeat is something different than world music, since it's usually the result of Western hybrids and fusions, yet it still falls under the world music umbrella because it borrows styles, sounds and instrumentation from various indigineous musics. Radio Woyayas diverse and eclectic mix with upbeat global grooves runs daily featuring all kinds of Rhythms from Africa and around the world. Any and all styles may be featured from the wide world of music in all genre eclectic and diverse shows guaranteed to get "Granny" tapping her toes!!!!
It's important to expose children to diverse types and styles of music. Expanding children's horizons by offering a variety of music from other lands and ethnic groups is one useful way of accomplishing the goals of a multicultural education.
Over the weekend Nancy and I went to the Four Seasons Bookstore in Shepherdstown, WV. As I looked through the used book section, a particular book jumped out at me. It was Emergence by Steven Johnson (2001).
As Johnson describes, emergence is what happens when an interconnected system of relatively simple elements self-organizes to form more intelligent, more adaptive higher-level behavior. It is a bottom-up model rather than being engineered from top-down. Emergence begins at the ground level when agents residing on one level start producing behavior that lies on a scale above them.
This is exactly how I envision deep changes coming about in today's world. That is, largely through grassroots collaborative movements springing up as more people begin to remember who and what they are (as spiritual beings currently having a human life on Earth). As this happens, we will naturally outgrow deeply entrenched social divisions.
Interestingly, this is also one of my core music concepts in how I envision ensembles going beyond what is written on the page to create music collectively that is fresh and different each time it is performed. I have had this vision for many years and now there is a word for it.
David Arivett died on March 23rd. He was one of my closest music friends even though he lived in Arkansas and I only knew him on Facebook. For those who know my music, you will know David's name. For the past 5+ years he recorded many of my scores and tunes. Each recording is a gem. And, David was a person who would have been a great friend in real life. I will be forever grateful to him.
Here is a message that his son posted at the Jazz Arranging group that David started on Facebook:
"My name is Aaron Arivett and I am David Arivett’s son. On behalf of my dad I wanted to share that on March 23rd he passed away due to complications related to a heart attack. He was incredibly passionate about all music, but certainly had a great love of Jazz. It inspired him to found this group, along with others, as a means of sharing the creative and meaningful with fellow colleagues and friends.
He was my mentor, idol, father and friend. I’ll cherish that relationship for the rest of my life.
We are forever grateful for his love, indelible spirit, passion, sense of humor and musical genius that we will endeavor to continue through the lives we lead moving forward."
The last recording that David made for me was New Tango No. 7. He finished it in February. It occurred to me that it might be among the last recordings he created. Right off the bat, you will hear David's joy and sense of fun. He used only my lead sheet for the recording and put much of himself into the music.
Prolific, award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Lily Frost made her start in the Vancouver Lounge scene of the 90’s, quickly becoming a placement darling with songs synched in Grey's Anatomy, Crazy Beautiful, Workin’ Moms, Charmed, Felicity, and Degrassi, promotions for Chevy Cobalt, and Gemini-nominated work on the theme song and score for international hit TV show Being Erica.
After the Colorifics, Lily was signed as a solo artist to Nettwerk Records, which led her back to Toronto where she signed with publisher Aporia Records, her home for the last 12 years. Lily is now independent, and her latest album, Retro-Moderne, is her finest work yet.
Lily is also known for her charismatic and dynamic stage presence, working the crowd. Her style can emulate Audrey Hepburn’s cocktail sophistication, become tongue in cheek like a 60’s stewardess, or take a leap to the savvy edge while at other times she is as soft and breathy as an actress in a Jean-Luc Godard film.
Lily has promoted shows like Big City Social, Vintage Vixens and Bebop Babes, which bring together art communities in the city to present stylish and high quality shows you can’t find anywhere else.
With 14 album releases under her belt, she shape shifts through genres touching on topics like secrets, stonewalling, forest fires, feminism, desire, motherhood, dreams and the intriguing entanglements between men and women. Lily collaborates with writers and producers in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.
Give a listen to her new single "Cruel World (Nickel & Dime)" online:
auvic, initially compelled by the legends Daft Punk, encapsulated himself in the aggression of Wolfgang Gartner and SebastiAn, the ambience of KOAN Sound, and the prowess of Franz Liszt and Frédéric Chopin.
Using powerful, story-driven melodies to take the listener on a journey, auvic's music resonates with the gaming community with hits such as "Indignation" and "Heal Me." After returning from Berklee College of Music in 2015, auvic followed up with the sequel "Heal Within," and his new Soulfire Album Series, taking roots back to classical, funk, jazz, and hip-hop.
From California to New York, auvic treads the electronic world as an independent artist and we are intrigued!
Listen to the new single, "Inspire" here: https://soundcloud.com/auvicmusic/inspire
ROMEO and JULIET coming Off-Broadway in a World Premiere Jewish adaptation by David Serero
ROMEO and JULIET coming Off-Broadway in a World Premiere Jewish adaptation this June 2019 at the Center for Jewish History (15 west 16th Street New York NY 10011). This unique production is adapted and directed by David Serero, who is also starring as Romeo. One family is Sephardic and the other one is Ashkenazi, featuring classic Ladinos and Yiddish songs as well as others surprises. Instead of Verona, this adaptation takes place in Jerusalem.
The Cast includes: David Serero (Romeo), Ashley Brooke Miller (Juliet), Lisa Monde (Lady Capulet), David Mohr (Rabbi Laurence), Martin Bonventre (Tybalt), Patrick Clark (Mercutio), and Felix Jarrar (Piano).
David Serero is widely known for his signature of theatrical adaptations (which he adapts, directs and produces) introducing classics to a broader audience with unique adaptations, by adding what he calls his "touch of champagne". His recent adaptations are "Cyrano de Bergerac" featuring Jazz standards, "Othello" in a Moroccan style, "The Merchant of Venice" in a Sephardi style, and many more. David has also brought operas in a more accessible format (Don Giovanni, Nabucco, Nozze di Figaro) with unique adaptations, as well as bringing back to life important works of literature such as the Jew of Malta, The Yiddish King Lear, and Napoleon by Stanley Kubrick.
Five unique performances of Romeo and Juliet: Thursday June 13th at 3pm; Sunday June 16th at 6pm - Opening Night - Followed by an After Party; Tuesday June 18th at 8pm; Thursday June 20th at 8pm; Sunday June 23rd at 6pm - Closing Night - Followed by an After Party.
Tickets are $26 and $36 (VIP tickets include gold seating and access to the After Party) can be purchased at ASFRomeoandJuliet.bpt.me or 1.800.838.3006.
Hosted by the American Sephardi Federation, the performances will take place at the Center for Jewish History located at 15 West 16th Street, New York NY 10011.
DAVID SERERO - Romeo / Director / Adaptor
Actor and baritone, David Serero, has received international recognition and critical acclaim from all over the world. At 38 years old, he has already performed more than 2,000 concerts and performances throughout the world, played in over 100 films and recorded 20 albums. He entered the prestigious WHO'S WHO AMERICA for demonstrating outstanding achievements in the entertainment world and for the betterment of contemporary society. In 2019, he received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, the Morocco Day Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Trophy of the Culture of Morocco. David Serero is a member of the RECORDING ACADEMY and of the TELEVISION ACADEMY and a voting member both of the GRAMMYs and EMMYs.
He has given concerts in Paris at the PARIS OPERA GARNIER, OLYMPIA, EIFFEL TOWER; in New York at the LINCOLN CENTER, CARNEGIE HALL, TIMES SQUARE; in London at the ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, WEMBLEY STADIUM; and in Moscow at the TCHAIKOVSKY HALL; in Amsterdam at the CONCERTGEBOUW, the BUDAPEST OPERA conducted by PLACIDO DOMINGO and more. He made his sold out WEST END debuts at the Dominion Theatre. He has sung more than 30 lead roles in Opera, Operetta and Musical Theater. In 2012, David Serero performed Don Quixote from MAN OF LA MANCHA in Paris and the title role from the revival of Duke Ellington's only musical: BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY and also starred in the cast album recording. In 2013, David performed with JERMAINE JACKSON in YOU ARE NOT ALONE, a musical written, directed and produced by David Serero. He has also produced and arranged I WISH YOU LOVE an album of Jazz standards for Jermaine Jackson. In December 2013, David shared the cover of Theatre & Performances with Barbra Streisand in London, and made his BROADWAY solo debut at the Snapple Theatre in New York. In 2015 and 2016, he played Off Broadway the lead roles of SHYLOCK (MERCHANT OF VENICE), and OTHELLO's title role with both critical acclaim. In 2015, he performed two open air concerts on TIMES SQUARE (New York) for BEST OF FRANCE with the presence of the French President Mr Francois Hollande. He also played NABUCCO (Nabucco) in New York; and the title roles of DON GIOVANNI and RIGOLETTO at the CARNEGIE HALL. In his extensive discography, he has recorded Cast Album Recording of iconic roles such as Shakespeare's RICHARD III and World Premiere adaptations.
During the 2017/2018 season in New York, David Serero starred as CYRANO DE BERGERAC (Rostand), DON GIOVANNI (Mozart), BARABAS (Marlowe's Jew of Malta), KING AHASUERUS (from musical Queen Esther's Dilemma), KING LEAR (Jacob Gordin's The YIDDISH KING LEAR), NAPOLEON's title role from NAPOLEON by Stanley Kubrick.
For the 2018/19 season in New York, David stars as NABUCCO's title role, ROMEO (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in a Jewish adaptation), FIGARO (Mozart's Marriage of Figaro) and OTTO FRANK (Anne Frank, The Musical).
In American Television, he has appeared in: The Hunt with John Walsh (CNN), Mysteries at the Museum (Travel Channel), Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall (NBC), Six Degrees of Murder (Discovery Channel), Checked Out, On The Case with Paula Zhan (Discovery ID), Rabid Beast (Animal Planet TV), Suddenly Rich (TLC TV), Whistleblowers (Spike TV), Blood Feuds - Gangs of New York (Discovery Channel), We Speak NYC, Crimes of Fashion (Discovery ID). More info on: www.davidserero.com
ASHLEY BROOKE MILLER - Juliet
Ashley Brooke Miller is a NY based actor and recent graduate from Hofstra University with a degree in Theatre with minors in Musical Theatre and English. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ashley has appeared in several University productions and films as well took part in sound designing, musical directing and directing shows at Hofstra. She was most recently seen as Buckingham in Richard III, during Hofstra’s 70th Annual Shakespeare Festival. Other credits include: Elizabeth in Laundry and Bourbon (James McClure), Prince Edward in Henry VI part 3 with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Amelia in The House of Bernarda Alba (Frederico Garcia Lorca) and Daisy in Student Body (Frank Winters). Ashley has begun writing a book of short plays and was awarded High Honors in her field of study for her completely original play “trepidation.”
DAVID MOHR - Rabbi Laurence
David Mohr is a New York based actor. He is best known for his Bat Mitzvah dancing in The Sitter. A graduate of Emerson College, he has had many incarnations such as a motion picture editor and executive at HBO. He also directs, writes, is a musician, does comedy, I think he has ADD. David has worked previously with David Serero in Truffles a Dinner Murder Mystery and Napoleon by Stanley Kubrick. David Mohr is thrilled to be working again with David Serero on his adaptation of the Bard’s great tragedy (Shonda). David Mohr’s work can also be seen on YouTube and Vimeo in many web series such as Quick Brick Tips.
LISA MONDE - Lady Capulet
Lisa began her acting, singing and directing career in Europe. After touring with various shows and working with renowned European theater companies, she moved to NYC to continue her pursuits. Lisa graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, and the New York Film Academy. Since then, she has worked Off-Broadway in various plays and musicals. Recent credits include: Dali's Dream (Coco Chanel); Arsene Lupin VS Sherlock Holmes (AJ Raffles Holmes); The Elizabeth Taylor Story, musical (Elizabeth Taylor); Ghost Writers (Mary Shelley); Strangers in the Night, a Tribute to Frank Sinatra (Gale Storm); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hippolyta); Of Mice and Men (Curley's Wife); La Cage Aux Folles (Jacqueline); Dracula. Finding of a Shadow (Mina Murray); Teach Me How to Die (Poet). Lisa also appeared in the web series "Existentialism," and "Callie and Izzy." In 2018, Lisa landed a leading role in her first feature film - "The Most Dangerous Man UVX" by Future Proof Productions, which is set to premier in October 2019. In Lisa's portfolio, there are eight (8) CD's with original songs, a great number of concerts, performances, and radio/TV broadcasts. She has produced, written (book and music) and directed eight staged musicals and seven plays.
MARTIN BONVENTRE - Tybalt / Father Capulet
Martin is thrilled to be playing Tybalt in this new musical production of Romeo and Juliet. Most recently he played Steve Hubbell in A Streetcar Named Desire at New York’s Greenwood Lake Theater. Martin’s favorite roles include appearances in Annie (Rooster), Sister Act (Joey), Ragtime (Houdini), Zorba the Musical (Manolakas), A Chorus Line (Mike), Grease (Sonny), and The Music Man (Olin Britt). Along the way, Martin has entertained audiences in NYC cabarets, and sung as a member of Essential Voices USA with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
PATRICK CLARK - Mercutio / Father Montague
Patrick Clark is thrilled to be a part of this new adaptation of Romeo & Juliet! Patrick recently performed in the premiere of a newly revised version of RAGS as Sal Russo at NYU, where he just graduated with a M.M. in Musical Theatre. Before his NYU training, Patrick received a B.F.A. in Vocal Performance from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Favorite regional: Mamma Mia, 42nd Street, Les Misérables. Patrick would like to thank David for this incredible opportunity.
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Ancient Future Times: Soon to See in San Francisco + Summer Circuit
June 2019 Issue:
Ancient Future at S.F. International Arts Festival
•Soon to See if San Francisco Still Supports its Scene
Ancient Future 'World Without Walls' Lineup Press
•Articles Covering Ancient Future 1990 to 1994
Ancient Future Summer Circuit
•Central Coast and Sierra Nevada Festivals
Ancient Future at S.F. International Arts Festival
Soon to See if San Francisco Still Supports its SceneAncient Future 'World Without Walls' Reunion Concert
Note: This is the ONLY Ancient Future concert booked for the rest of the year in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is only the fifth time that this historic lineup has performed since the 90's when they toured and performed hundreds of concerts. DON'T MISS THIS VERY RARE PERFORMANCE.
Photo by Irene Young of Ancient Future circa 1990
Sunday, May 26, 2019, 5 PM
San Francisco International Arts Festival
Gallery 308, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tix: $25 general. $30 reserved table, $35 reserved front table, $15 youth 17 and under.
Box office: 415-345-7575.
20% Off Tix (Enter Discount Code Future20 at Checkout. Case Sensitive. No Spaces)
Press Release
Invite Friends on Facebook
Poster (1.1 MB .pdf)
The exact lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings will reunite to perform at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. The reunion show features the original lineup of Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, Jim Hurley on violin, Doug McKeehan on keyboards, and Ian Dogole on percussion, plus Kash Killion on bass and Mariah Parker on santur.
This lineup of Ancient Future played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995, more than any other lineup of Ancient Future. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was re-released by Capitol Records. Twenty two years after its initial 1990 release, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012. This show at the San Francisco International Arts Festival will be their fifth reunion concert.
'World Without Walls' Reunion Video
YouTube Video of Ancient Future Performing Bookenka at 'World Without Walls' Reunion
Support the Concert with a Tax Deductible Contribution!
Ancient Future's 40th Anniversary Concert at the Freight and Salvage was a big success in no small part due to an anonymous last minute contribution that made it possible to pay for advertising we would not have been able to afford otherwise. World music concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area can not pay for themselves through ticket sales alone, so we are very thankful for the help of those who can afford to give.
By making a tax deductible donation to Ancient Future through InterMusic SF, you can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings.
Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!
You can also help by signing up to support Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings.
Ancient Future 'World Without Walls' Lineup Press
'World Without Walls'
Reviews & Articles
'Asian Fusion'
Reviews & Articles
Asian Fusion Media Report (11.4 MB)
Articles Covering Ancient Future 1990 to 1994
The world music scene in the early 90's was very vibrant, and there were a lot of articles written about Ancient Future in local, national, and international publications. A few have been compiled here.
They include everything from very in-depth articles and reviews to a humorous but rave record review extolling the benefits that amass for dentists who include Ancient Future on patient playlists. Probably this dental review should stay buried deep in the Ancient Future archives, but it's funny so here's an excerpt and you can read the entire review if you wish (probably you do):
"I played this CD over my office audio system, and it was just like Novocaine. The patients love it! I can go right in and fill their cavities, yank their wisdom teeth, drain gum abscesses, whatever, when they go into their open-but-very-distant-eyed, puffed-cheek trance upon hearing this stuff...Great, authentic performances from Chinese board zither performer Zhao Hui and Bui Huu Nhut, whose dan bau (single-string Vietnamese instrument) plucking adds color and resonance to already beautiful songs." – Biff Mockowski, D.D.S., Secret Guide to Music
Ancient Future was very early on the world music bandwagon, and at the beginning was often confused with New Age music. This led to to comparisons such as the one in the Boston Rock review on page 58 of the 'World Without Walls' Media Report that calls Ancient Future "Shadowfax with teeth," although Shadowfax wasn't really a New Age band either, and Ancient Future never bit anyone.
But by the early 1990's, world music was finally getting coverage in the media. It was a promising period, but the progress that world music made was to some degree erased by the fear of foreign cultures that come to the front after 9/11.
In the current age of polarization, world music is needed now more than ever, as is professional writing in respected publications that care about facts. Download some of these articles and have some fun looking at the birth of world music into the mainstream media through the way back machine.
Jazzziz: Percuscapes
11/1/1990
Urban Street Tribal Village
by John Diliberto
Talking Leaves
6/1/1991
Creating a World Without Walls
by Matthew Montfort
San Francisco Bay Guardian
6/5/1991
Music Sans Borders
by Derk Richardson
Roland Users Group
9/1/1992
Ancient Futures
Random Noise
Philippine News
7/21/1993
World fusion music festival
by a Staff Reporter
India-West
8/13/1993
Ancient Future Releases 6th Album
by a Staff Reporter
S.F. Chronicle
8/15/1993
East and West Meet in Ancient Future
by Calvin Ahlgren
Pacific Sun
8/25/1993
East meets West with Ancient Future
by Greg Cahill
Secret Guide to Music
10/1/1993
Just Like Novocaine
by Biff Mockowski, D.D.S.
Tower Pulse! Top 10
11/1/1993
Ancient Future absorbs Asian sounds 12/1/1993
by John Diliberto
Oakland Tribune Cue
2/17/1994
Ancient Future blends sounds
by Dave Becker
Central Coast and Sierra Nevada Festivals
The summer festival season is coming, offering a chance to see Ancient Future in a wonderful vacation setting!
- Sunday, July 28, 5 PM, Ancient Future, Mosaic Festival, See Canyon Fruit Ranch, 2345 See Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. Tix: $40 grass, $60 table. Buy Tix.
- Sunday, September 1, 3 PM, Ancient Future, Kentucky Mine Amphitheater, 100 Kentucky Mine Rd., Sierra City, CA 96125. Tix: $22 adv., $25 door, $10 kids 7 to 17 years old. Kids 6 and under are FREE! Buy Tix.
Do you know of a festival in your area that might hire Ancient Future? Send contact information to info@ancient-future.com and we will follow up.
Ancient Future Times: Secret Code for the Future
May 2019 Issue:
Future40 Secret Code
•40% Off Tix for 5/26/19 @ SFIAF
Guitar A.F.A.R.
•First Recording of Martin Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
World Fusion for the Future
•Movement Needs Young People
Honoring the Departed
•In the Ancient Future Beyond
Free Sonoma County Library Concert Series
•Each Concert Program Features Different Material!
Future40 Secret Code
Photo by Irene Young of Ancient Future circa 1990
Sunday, May 26, 2019, 5 PM
San Francisco International Arts Festival
Gallery 308, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tix: $25 general. $30 reserved table, $35 reserved front table, $15 youth 17 and under.
Box office: 415-345-7575.
40% Off Tix (Enter Discount Code Future40 at Checkout Through May 11)
Press Release
Invite Friends on Facebook
Poster (1.1 MB .pdf)
The exact lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings will reunite to perform at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. The reunion show features the original lineup of Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, Jim Hurley on violin, Doug McKeehan on keyboards, and Ian Dogole on percussion, plus Kash Killion on bass.
This lineup of Ancient Future played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was re-released by Capitol Records. Twenty two years after its initial 1990 release, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012. This show at the San Francisco International Arts Festival will be their fifth reunion concert.
'World Without Walls' Reunion Video
YouTube Video of Ancient Future Performing Bookenka at 'World Without Walls' Reunion
"Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own." - Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN
Releases Featuring This Lineup
World Without Walls by Ancient Future (Sona Gaia/MCA 163).
Asian Fusion by Ancient Future (Narada Equinox ND-63023).
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010).
Guitar A.F.A.R.
Montfort's custom guitar is the result of a collaboration between Montfort, Dick Boak of the Artist Relations Department of C.F. Martin & Co., and San Francisco luthier Alan Perlman. Starting in 2014, Dick Boak worked with Montfort to help design the instrument, which features a very large sound hole to add volume, an extra upper bout sound hole so that Montfort can hear the guitar better, a cutaway with extra frets protruding into the sound hole to accommodate his extended playing range, and a short scale yet wide neck to allow for greater string bending capability. Master luthier Alan Perlman scalloped the fretboard and added other finishing touches to complete this amazing instrument in 2016.
The instrument is now broken in, and the first recording featuring it is in the works. The rehearsals for the Ancient Future's 40th Anniversary Concert helped put a focus on a new 30-minute suite in production for the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project that already includes over 86 minutes of music available exclusively to supporters.
Hundreds of hours have already gone into the composition, rehearsal, pre-production, and recording some of the guitar tracks for this new piece by Matthew Montfort. Beyond Kalyan is based on Rag Kalyan, but takes it in new directions, even altering the basic recipe for the raga, hence the title. It is a very expansive, emotional, and difficult to perform piece.
The focus of A.F.A.R. this spring will be recording Mindia Devi Klein's bansuri flute and Vishal Nagar's tabla tracks. Right now, we need to raise funds to pay musicians so that they can carve out time to practice their parts and record them. Please sign up to support the project and receive tracks as they are created!
You can also make a tax deductible donation through InterMusic SF to support new compositions and recordings.
World Fusion for the Future
Movement Needs Young PeopleAs of this moment, all types of virtuoso instrumental music are suffering from a lack of young audience members. At concerts of top performers in jazz, classical, and world music, there is a lot of gray hair in the audience. There are very few people in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, and often the few in those age groups turn out to be musicians themselves.
In honor of our 40th year of world fusion, we recently embarked on cleaning up the Ancient Future postal list in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in the process found the vital statistics that are compiled in the chart below:
Scary ChartAge GroupFans in Group< 402.4%40's6.5%50's20.2%60's41.1%70's23.3%>806.6%Young MusiciansMusic pedagogy has come a long way since Ancient Future was formed, and we are producing wonderful young virtuoso performers. But we've cut music education in public schools, so new musicians are coming from those few school districts who have found a way to keep music programs, or families that can afford to pay for private lessons. But there aren't many performance opportunities for young performers because we haven't also developed an audience with musical knowledge. People need to be exposed to the elements of music to develop an interest in the higher forms of the art, and if that exposure doesn't happen in the formative years, music loses its base.
Americana in the Age of PolarizationIn the past decade or so, Americana has enjoyed a resurgence at music festivals, venues, and radio shows, with young musicians joining the ranks. This has been a bright spot in music. However, since 9/11, support for world music has declined in America. Americana shows have replaced many world music shows on public radio, and even supposedly left leaning outlets like KPFA have cut world music programming. While it is important to keep Americana alive, it should not be at the expense of opening up people to music from cultures other than their own. World music can help alleviate the fear of "the other" that is so prevalent in public discourse today. America has always been a melting pot, so Americana shows should embrace American-made world fusion music. But they tend to favor music with a lot of Irish influence, undervalue the role of African music in American music forms, and ignore Asian influenced music altogether.
What You Can Do About It- Take younger relatives and friends to concerts.
- Share playlists of high quality world fusion music. Free streaming should be abolished due to absurdly low artist payments, so it is best to purchase music. But streaming is how young people experience music, so we need to reach them before it is too late for an interest in higher art forms to develop. That said, streaming is a low quality music experience, and the subtleties of high level music get lost between data compression and lo-fi phones. This is quite a puzzle to fix. For now, here are some playlists to share:
- World Music Connections. World fusion music and the traditional music that inspired it side by side.
- Indian Guitar. Guitarists working in Indian music utilizing everything from slides to scalloped fretboards.
- Interspecies Music. Intriguing music influenced by interspecies interactions and nature, from live jams with Pacific tree frogs from Ancient Future's Natural Rhythms to elephants playing instruments!
- World Jazz. Jazz that influenced Ancient Future along with some more recent world jazz recordings.
- Asian Fusion. World fusion music with Asian themes.
- Send younger friends to the music education pages at Ancient-Future.Com.
- Contact your local public radio station and ask them to bring back world music shows.
Honoring the Departed
Photo of Phil Fong Circa 1979 by Geoffrey Chandler
In the Ancient Future BeyondUpdating Ancient Future's mailing list resulted in almost 100 sad discoveries of fans of Ancient Future who have passed away, including the loss of visionary artist and musician Geoffrey Chandler (1951-2017), who took three of the photos on Ancient Future's first recording, Visions of a Peaceful Planet, including the above photo (originally in beautiful color, but the original is hopefully to be found buried deep in the Ancient Future archives) of original member Phil Fong (1954-2016). Also in the ancient future beyond are composer and flautist Randy Mead (1954-2012), who is prominently featured on the Quiet Fire release, and Mahanaim Satya (1945-2010), a noted jazz musician and producer who held down the bass at a number of Ancient Future concerts in the early 80's.
We've just received the very difficult news that Elias Lammam, Arabic accordion master and brother of Ancient Future performers Antoine and Georges Lammam, passed away on April 23 after suffering an aneurism on stage during a tour in Florida. This is a huge loss to the music world and our musical community. Our deep condolences go out to his family.
We want to honor all of our departed fans and fellow musicians by passing the torch to future generations and working to bring more young people into the world fusion music movement.
Free Sonoma County Library Concert Series
YouTube Video of Very First Meeting of Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang
Ancient Future bandleader and scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer will be joined by master musicians from many traditions for this series of hour long free concerts at libraries in Sonoma County. Each show will feature different material from recordings by Matthew Montfort, Ancient Future, and the master musicians he is performing with. Press Release.
- Saturday, April 27, 2 PM, Guitar and Pipa Duet with Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang (pipa), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707- 996-5217 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, May 4, 2 PM, Ancient Future Duet, Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park Expressway / State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Free. Info: 707-584-9121 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, May 11, 2 PM, Ancient Future World Jazz Trio, Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
Our new EP Orient Calling is out on Global Hybrid Records: https://globalhybrid.bandcamp.com/album/ghr16-orient-calling
1. Sahara (06:08)
2. Agadez Cross (08:16)
After months of wandering through sandy deserts, from Morocco to rajhastan, gathering tribal rhythms and hypnotizing melodies; Cardamohm present you: Orient Calling.
The first track, Sahara, will bring you to the tuaregs, mysterious men dressed in blue, walking step by step in the burning sand. You will be guided during this journey by the windy sound of the kawala (an Egyptian flute) and heavy basses will give you the rhythm.
The second part of the journey also blends electronic components with traditional sounds from the ancient world. On the second track: Agadez Cross; you will travel east to meet the voices of Berber women guided by the bamboo flute, also know as bansuri, while tribal drums are taking possession of all bodies and souls. We hope you will enjoy the journey
Mix & mastering by Adrien Glineur
adrien.glineur@gmail.com
Design by Tôhm
www.facebook.com/dathomscat/
Distrub. Press. Promo. by Global Hybrid Records
All Right reserved
Cardamohm :
www.facebook.com/cardamohm/
www.cardamohm.com/musique/
Global hybrid Records :
www.facebook.com/globalhybridrecords/
www.soundcloud.com/global-hybrid-records
www.instagram.com/global_hybrid/
www.youtube.com/c/GlobalHybridRecords
Members of what would become Love & Rescue met while performing at church. The burgeoning band became sacred ground for a bunch of young musicians weaned on rock, metal, pop, Southern rock, indie rock, and pop-punk. As the band’s sound and lineup began to stabilize, the four-piece group found themselves gravitating toward modern country. It was a natural fit because of its eclectic musical pedigree mirrored by contemporary country’s melting pot sensibility. Cementing the band’s direction was Ryan’s country music upbringing and the soulful twang that is signature to his singing.
Love & Rescue became an official band in 2015, and, since then, has issued two singles, and the EP There & Back. The band’s low-key visual vibe, offset by its world-class musicianship, has wowed audiences regionally. Currently, Love & Rescue is planning more comprehensive tours while putting the finishing touches on its second EP to be released late March 2019. The four-piece band’s original sound fits snuggly alongside tracks by Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, and Brothers Osbourne, among others.
It’s an exciting time to be Love & Rescue and it shows in the band’s upcoming EP which bursts with peppy pop-punky tempos, and engaging lyrics that intriguingly contrast the upbeat and fun musicality inherent in the songs. Reflecting on the road ahead, Ryan says: “Our love for what we do has been our guide, and we pour that into our music. We’re excited to share our purpose and passion with others.”
Their new single "Find Her" is out now via digital outlets.
Connect with Love & Rescue:
http://www.loveandrescueband.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/page/311841655678515
https://twitter.com/loveandrescuesc
https://www.instagram.com/loveandrescueband/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzQ-ASw68CZDZe_agpjZvQ
https://www.reverbnation.com/loveandrescueband
Clara Casey is an artist on the rise with her new single and video for "Physical."
Clara’s sensibility melds sensual electro soundscapes and deep bass with pop songcraft, dynamically expressive vocals, and emotionally raw lyrics that reveal bare truths. Clara has garnered favorable comparisons to James Blake, Adele, Portishead, and Amy Winehouse. Her lyrics reach under the hard shell of strength she’s cultivated to share dark confessions and intimate struggles. Her searing vocals emote like a jazz singer, effortlessly shifting from rich low tones upward to soaring high tones.
Up next, Clara will put the final touches on other unreleased groove gems and begin actively performing in the New York tristate area. Her narrative is a powerful lesson in self- development and boldly following your passion, no matter what. In summary, Clara says: “I was put on this earth to do this. The lesson I hope to share is: Never let anyone underestimate you. You can do more than you think you can.”
Connect with Clara Casey via:
https://www.facebook.com/ClaraCasey/
https://twitter.com/claracasey
https://www.instagram.com/claracasey/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3X52RVgx1QsEDR8LxoD5VP?si=2VaS8CvZSv2EEW4kYi4huw
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHFZAngB_2nFXl3EudhH9SQ?view_as=subscriber
Lauren Waller is a Los Angeles-based artist bridges the divide between 1980s dark wave and modern electro-textured indie pop. Her aesthetic also encompasses the jagged artiness of alternative rock, embers of the smoldering expressiveness of R&B, the confessional and poetic intimacy of the singer-songwriter idiom, and the thrilling satisfaction of modern pop. Her soulful pop has earned her favorable comparisons to Lorde, Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, Adele, and Ingrid Michaelson. To date, Lauren has released two EPs, and garnered press accolades from New Music Express, Young Hollywood, A&R Worldwide, Music Existence, Coming Up Magazine, The Spotlight, All Access Music, and Broadway World, among other outlets. Select performance highlights from Lauren’s resume include performing on RTE, Ireland’s National Television, at the International Rose of Tralee Festival, and appearances at the iconic Viper Room and the esteemed tastemaking club The Hotel Café. An impresive resume for sure! Her new single "Quicksand" blends tones and creates a stunning melodic atmosphere that will have you craving more. Be sure to give a listen below and discover an artist on the rise.
Listen in, here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7BPQmLfe4wPJ130uRlSx2H
Connect with Lauren Waller:
Website: https://lwallermusic.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lwallermusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lwallermusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lwallermusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7BPQmLfe4wPJ130uRlSx2H
MGSP comes alive todasy with their newest single to drop, "Signs."
MGSP is a pure synergy of modern electronic music and rock&roll roots consisting of childhood best friends, Gregg Sgar and Matt Pelosi. The duo is a product of experimentation, who are looking to play an essential role in the evolution of music for generations to come. MGSP fearlessly pushes boundaries by blending sounds of rock, pop, EDM, r&b, industrial, and hip hop while paying respect to who came before them. With vulnerable and relatable lyrics on their interpretation of the modern world, MGSP makes a statement. By touching on their own experiences of coping through loss, pain, love, relationships, community; and by touching on their interpretation of the modern world through lyrics and visuals, MGSP provides a distinct environment for their fans’ personal freedom. Through creative live instrumentation of acoustic and electronic elements, their raw energy takes you on a journey of emotion and gives the audience a sense of familiarity and relatability. Years of performing rock and EDM enabled. Matt and Gregg to come together and showcase their experience into an unconventional live performance highlighting their chemistry, and raw energy in a contagiously unique pop-centric sound.
MGSP comes alive todasy with their newest single to drop, "Signs."
MGSP is a pure synergy of modern electronic music and rock&roll roots consisting of childhood best friends, Gregg Sgar and Matt Pelosi. The duo is a product of experimentation, who are looking to play an essential role in the evolution of music for generations to come. MGSP fearlessly pushes boundaries by blending sounds of rock, pop, EDM, r&b, industrial, and hip hop while paying respect to who came before them. With vulnerable and relatable lyrics on their interpretation of the modern world, MGSP makes a statement. By touching on their own experiences of coping through loss, pain, love, relationships, community; and by touching on their interpretation of the modern world through lyrics and visuals, MGSP provides a distinct environment for their fans’ personal freedom. Through creative live instrumentation of acoustic and electronic elements, their raw energy takes you on a journey of emotion and gives the audience a sense of familiarity and relatability. Years of performing rock and EDM enabled. Matt and Gregg to come together and showcase their experience into an unconventional live performance highlighting their chemistry, and raw energy in a contagiously unique pop-centric sound.
Ancient Future Times: Early Bird Gets the World
April 2019 Issue:
Early Bird Gets the World Without Walls Reunion Concert
•$15 Tickets for 5/26/19 @ SFIAF Available Through 3/31/19
Progress A.F.A.R.
•Beyond Kalyan
Free Sonoma County Library Concert Series
•Each Concert Program Features Different Material!
Contributions to Ancient Future Make a Difference
•Tax Deductible Donation Helped Make 40th Anniversary Concert a Success!
Early Bird Gets the World ...
World Jazz featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Jim Hurley (violin), Doug McKeehan (keyboards, piano), Ian Dogole (percussion)
Photo by Irene Young of Ancient Future circa 1990
Sunday, May 26, 2019, 5 PM
San Francisco International Arts Festival
Gallery 308, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tix: $25 general. $30 reserved table, $35 reserved front table, $15 youth 17 and under. $15 general admission early bird tickets available through March 31 while supplies last. Box office: 415-345-7575.
Buy Early Bird Tix Now (Price Goes Up April 1)
Invite Friends on Facebook.
Poster (1.1 MB .pdf)
The exact lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings will reunite to perform at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. The reunion show features the original lineup of Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, Jim Hurley on violin, Doug McKeehan on keyboards, and Ian Dogole on percussion.
This lineup of Ancient Future played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was released digitally by Capitol Records for the first time ever at major digital retailers such as iTunes. Twenty two years after its initial release in 1990, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012. In September 2012 they performed at the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then at the Freight and Salvage in October 2013. This show at the San Francisco International Arts Festival will be their fifth reunion concert.
'World Without Walls' Reunion
YouTube Video of Ancient Future Performing Bookenka at 'World Without Walls' Reunion. Shown: Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Jim Hurley (violin), Doug McKeehan (keyboards, piano), Ian Dogole (percussion), Kash Killion (bass), and Mariah Parker (santur).
"Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own." - Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN
Releases Featuring This Lineup
World Without Walls by Ancient Future (Sona Gaia/MCA 163).
Asian Fusion by Ancient Future (Narada Equinox ND-63023).
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010).
Progress A.F.A.R.
Ancient Future's 40th Anniversary Concert at the Freight and Salvage was a tremendous success, with two standing ovations and over 200 people attending on a Tuesday night in the midst of the rainy season and safety issues on the Richmond-San Rafael bridge! The rehearsals for the event helped put a focus on a new 30-minute suite in production for the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project that already includes over 86 minutes of music available exclusively to supporters.
Hundreds and hundreds of hours have already gone into the composition, rehearsal, pre-production, and recording the guitar tracks for this new piece by Matthew Montfort. Beyond Kalyan is based on Rag Kalyan, but takes it in new directions, even altering the basic recipe for the raga, hence the title. It is a very expansive, emotional, and difficult to perform piece. The focus of A.F.A.R. this spring will be recording Mindia Devi Klein's bansuri flute and Vishal Nagar's tabla tracks.
Support for A.F.A.R. has been substantial but slow to come in. Right now, we need to raise funds to pay musicians so that they can carve out time to practice their parts and record them. To complete the project, it would really help to have funds coming in more quickly. Please sign up to support the project!
Free Sonoma County Library Concert Series
YouTube Video of Very First Meeting of Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang
Ancient Future bandleader and scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer will be joined by master musicians from many traditions for this series of hour long free concerts at libraries in Sonoma County. Each show will feature different material from recordings by Matthew Montfort, Ancient Future, and the master musicians he is performing with. Press Release.
- Saturday, March 30, 2 PM, Ancient Future World Jazz Trio with Matthew Montfort, Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Free. Info: 707-546-2265 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, April 20, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Arabic Percussion Duet with Matthew Montfort and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Central Santa Rosa Library, 211 E Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Free. Info: 707-308-3020 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, April 27, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Pipa Duet with Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang (pipa), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707- 996-5217 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, May 4, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet with Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park Expressway / State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Free. Info: 707-584-9121 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
- Saturday, May 11, 2 PM, Ancient Future World Jazz Trio with Matthew Montfort, Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit sonomalibrary.org. Facebook Event.
YouTube Video of 'Yearning for the Wind' Featuring Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar
Contributions to Ancient Future Make a Difference
Tax Deductible Donation Helped Make 40th Anniversary Concert a Success!An anonymous contribution to Ancient Future through InterMusic SF was a big help in making Ancient Future's 40th Anniversary concert at the Freight and Salvage a success. Receiving the contribution before the concert allowed us to spend more money on promotion and pay for travel and other costs that ticket sales alone would not have covered. THANK YOU ANONYMOUS!
The sad truth is that ticket sales alone are insufficient to support this music. In the past, many fine arts concert presenters were supported with grant money and so our concert fees were often subsidized, which helped cover travel expenses, booking costs, and fees for the master musicians required to perform this music. But with drastic cuts to arts budgets and so many extremely famous artists on the road most of the year now because they can't make money anymore from their recordings, concert fees have declined and subsidized concerts are now few and far between. This has made it difficult for Ancient Future to tour.
But you can help us bring music to the world in our 40th season of world fusion music. Your tax deductible contribution can provide seed money to help cover travel costs to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, or support new compositions and recordings.
Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!
Other Ways to Support the MusicNot part of the top 10% of U.S. taxpayers expected to benefit by itemizing deductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act but still want to contribute?
You can make a direct donation (not tax deductible), or sign up to support Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings.
The Fire Opal is a richly red-orange colored stone in Mexican folklore that is believed to have been created in the heavens, and imbued with mystical powers of healing and protection.
Massergy’s expressive album, FIRE OPAL, seemingly transforms that myth into music, a sonic blending of his analog recordings and the great outdoors.
He has created other albums, two can be heard on bandcamp (https://massergy.bandcamp.com/), A Novel Sense of Calm and Mestizo. He candidly shares with us that "A Novel Sense of Calm was inspired by the passing of my younger brother. In my culture, death is embraced and celebrated as an important phase of life. It’s customary to give ofrendas or offerings to the dead in the form of food, drink or other tokens to refresh the spirits and ease the burden of their journey. This album is an ofrenda to my brother, his guidebook for traveling in the hereafter and a soundtrack to the lucid dreams I share with him."
The album Fire Opal was "captured" in Austin, Texas 2015. It was nocturnally improvised and recorded in an undisclosed nature preserve. All sounds are true to the original performances and have not been treated in a studio. Anomalies and imperfections were left intact. No software was used to generate or alter this music. No sequencers, loops or stretchers were employed. No post-effects were added and no compression or limiting was applied.
1) Vinesong (03:21)
2) The Shepherdess (10:24)
3) Lunar Cinema (06:25)
4) Cold White Smoke (17:57)
5) Fire Opal (17:17)
6) El Viajero (05:25)
7) La Extraña (09:25)
With a mystical light through impossible colors a slow mood unfolds. The title song “Fire Opal” (17:17) includes little sparkles that are hidden in darkness, an ethereal old church organ holds slow notes and the mood suspends time, cautious steps in unseen territory, timeless echoes with birds somewhere far overhead. It wanders near what appears to be the seaside, for a few moments you can hear the surf in the darkness. For a few moments time stops as you simply try to comprehend the beautiful miracle.
“My ‘studio’ is a small elevated balcony in the middle of a nature preserve, essentially my backyard” Massergy reveals to us. “The preserve is home to several coyotes, owls, deer and other creatures. Think 2AM with a huge sky full of stars, eerie moonlight, and the sounds of strange creatures. I can see my own breath, there’s a light mist in the air, it’s very sleepy; that’s the kind of atmosphere where my magical moments often occur.”
This album’s musical theme was inspired by a Mexican ceremony called “Velada” which is a psychedelic healing ritual performed by Mazatec Indian doctors and healers referred to as “curanderas” The purpose of a Velada is to break the boundaries of our plane in order to commune with gods, spirits and divine beings. This is achieved through mantra, meditation and the use of sacred entheogens native to the Mazatec region like psilocybin mushrooms or salvia divinorum. It’s important to note the reverence Mazatecos hold for these substances. They are not seen as recreational drugs –they are medicinal tools used to enhance one’s own growth and help the user overcome personal challenges. A Velada can reveal profound visions, uncover buried secrets and evoke several contrasting emotions. Ultimately, this deep experience grants divine healing and knowledge. Fire Opal is a tour through various stages of a Velada, essentially the stages of a non-recreational psychedelic experience. Each track a different stop along the journey with the sole traveler bearing a Fire Opal stone for safe passage.
You can find Fire Opal on the Spotted Peccary Music website:
https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/fire-opal/
Tags: #Massergy #Fire Opal #Spotted Peccary Music #Velada #Mazatec #Austin Texas #Electronic ambient #Experimental music #Deep listening #Atmospheric
Akuphone presents « Doomsday Survival Kit », PRAED’s fourth album. This is the ultimate kit to prepare calmly for the sixth extinction! The Lebanese duo delivers a raging interpretation of the chaabi – popular Arabic music – using synthesizers, drum Machines, samples and other devices. The result is hypnotic and psychedelic, on the verge of trance. The clarinet of Paed Conca and the soaring lyricism of Raed Yassin sound like distant calls for help emerging from a world that is falling apart and slipping away. The record itself is enhanced by its sleeve – designed by the Lebanese artist Raphaëlle Macaron – printed in 5 Pantone colors making it as explosive as the music.
Swiss/ Lebanese duo Praed aren’t interested in building things slowly and developing their music over time on their fourth album. Not at all. They’re all about the bombast, they’d rather drop you midway, or perhaps mid frenzy into electronic maelstrom of electronic beats, electrics and clarinet. Their sound is heightened, psychedelic chaabi (Arabic popular music), electrified, relentless – these hyper energized slabs of breathless energy.
By Bob Baker Fish on January 20, 2019
Listening to the album can feel like being spun in circles: you don’t know whether to surrender to the vortex, or get out while you still can. It’s evocative of the kind of intensity and tension that pulses daily through globalized megacities like Cairo, where massive population growth and urbanization, economic uncertainty and political repression manifest in ways big and small. “The album is a reflection of our contemporary world,” Conca explains in an email. “Wherever you look, it feels like we are heading into the apocalypse very soon, whether economically, politically, or environmentally speaking. There is a limitation of movement and freedom, a difference in possibilities depending on where you’re from.”
read the full article here:
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/egyptian-beats-for-the-global-apocalypse
To communicate a thought or a feeling from within myself through a song is not an easy thing. Even when a song that took five minutes to write turns out great, it doesn’t mean its creation was simple. It just happened to be that it was its time to come out, but everything that went into its pre-construction and evolution, even behind the scenes, was also part of the process.
The truth is that most of the time I sit down to write, I have no idea what I want to say. It’s through the writing process itself that I become aware of what’s really going on inside of me, and as I keep writing I get more clarity. As a lyric comes together I begin to see where it’s taking me, and try to stay focused and connected to the journey. As the idea becomes realized, choosing the right words becomes crucial to the exact image I am trying to create while expressing the thought. When I’m done, I have hopefully learned something about myself and my outlook through the words I have been guided to write.
Determining the music that will be the right vehicle for these words and will help to convey the idea and become a partner in the transmission of the message, is another undertaking. Sometimes the music comes with the words, but still must be developed to become its own artistic expression. Other times a melody might come into my head without any words and I’ll go through my lyrics to see if I’ve already written something that goes well with the tune. Sometimes the words have to be changed a bit to fit the phrasing, while retaining the essence of the message. Other times I’ll just sit down at the piano or pick up my guitar and start singing as I hit the first chord and a miracle happens. I hardly ever think of the words and music at the same time, although there have been those rare occasions when the sound of the harmony and the idea it evokes comes together with words that make sense and just say it like it sounds.
My musical influences go back a lot further than the Easy Listening music I heard in my home as a child in the early 70’s, the American Top 40 Pop of the late 70’s and early eighties, the hard rock of my teens, and classic rock, which remains my favorite. I believe that deep within me I was born with a connection to a certain sound, a certain rhythm, a beat that I move to; a unique voice that’s right for my specific message with an attitude and outlook that is who I truly am as a soul. I believe that any song that I’ve ever liked has had within it a spiritually familiar element that speaks to my own soul.
To bring out a positive message that I want to share, in a song that sounds good, is moving, enjoyably received, appreciated, and uplifting to another, is what I have been striving for in my journey as an artist. The commitment that I have made to my art is one that is unconditional; whether there is fame and fortune in my future has nothing to do with my mission to create and be true to whom I am and my art.
The more I work on developing my craft the better I become at sharing my message. I have learned a tremendous amount from hearing the music of other artists. Being open to personal change and growth and willingness to explore new ideas and to rewrite has helped me to mature as an artist and to look at all of my songs, even ones that I have already released, as a work in progress. I have no problem changing a tune at a performance or on a future recording if I see a better way to express the idea.
Finding my own sound as a singer/songwriter has been a long road. One of the reasons is that I lost myself as a youth by trying to be someone that I wasn’t, and subsequently had to find myself again. Pursuing an image that I looked up to for the wrong reasons caused me to overlook my true voice and message as an artist. In a sense, finding my own voice was something that coincided with finding myself, and as I become comfortable and happy with who I truly am, I’m finding that I feel more satisfaction and harmony expressing it through my art.
Performing in front of an audience hasn’t been difficult. I mean, I really just sit behind the piano and sing my songs with my eyes closed. I do this not because I’m nervous, but in order to get into the song. I haven’t yet felt my performance has come together. I would like more of my personality to come through at a show. I feel like I have the potential to strongly connect with an audience and to have an unbelievable experience, and I’m looking forward to the day that, with help from heaven, it will all come together.
My first two album releases, With Help from Heaven and Son of Israel are collections of piano and vocal tracks. With my latest release Man of Faith, I have begun working with producer Craig Levy of Little Pioneer studios in Soho, who has helped me to begin adding some layers to my sound.
Finding a balance between writing, practicing new material as well as the old, booking and promoting gigs, recording, working on my on-line presence and social media, marketing and advertising etc… isn’t easy. It’s a blessing to have a wife and children who are supportive of my endeavors.
Wishing you only good things,
Gedalya
Hot on our radar is international group Urban Fu$e who have been bringing down the house in a major way. The brainchild of songwriter and coordinator Suzanna Lam, she has assembled a strong force of musicians both male and female across the world. What ties the unique individuals together is their love and passion for music, as Lam brings a strong songwriting element to the group. One of our current favorites, Splurge, helps to show a piece of the artists and the Urban Fu$e name... one you will certainly remember. With an EP to drop this Spring they show no sign of slowing down; making them a standout in 2019.
Check our Splurge here! https://youtu.be/dwugFEB9f14
The Meridianum Ensemble is overjoyed to announce the release of the first live music video from its recent Hiemalis tour in the UK, 2018. This one is 'Souleimane', a beautiful Morrocan piece by Saïd Chraïbi and featuring Soufian Saihi on oud with the rest of the group. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfGCFb83-nI
Akuphone presents « Doomsday Survival Kit », PRAED’s fourth album. This is the ultimate kit to prepare calmly for the sixth extinction! The Lebanese duo delivers a raging interpretation of the chaabi – popular Arabic music – using synthesizers, drum Machines, samples and other devices. The result is hypnotic and psychedelic, on the verge of trance. The clarinet of Paed Conca and the soaring lyricism of Raed Yassin sound like distant calls for help emerging from a world that is falling apart and slipping away. The record itself is enhanced by its sleeve – designed by the Lebanese artist Raphaëlle Macaron – printed in 5 Pantone colors making it as explosive as the music.
get the album here: https://akuphone.com/catalog/1pRd1timEEwy#content
book us for festivals/concerts here: http://www.paed.ch/praed
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