Posts Tagged ‘Blog’

Greetings everybody,
I am proud to say that I’m going to be leading some Kirtan at a local fundraiser for Haiti Relief. Check out Love For Haiti Dot Net for more info. There are a boatload of performers in store, including Bands, Belly Dancers, and Story Tellers; Artists have donated their time and their creations for a silent auction; food will also be available for an additional charge. All of the time that’s gone into this has been donated by a core of Charlottesville folks who are taking no money for their efforts – every last penny will be going to Charities related to the Haitian Earthquake disaster.

In a time like this, the scope of damage done and lives lost can feel completely overwhelming. You may think that, no matter what you do, it won’t help; it won’t even be a drop in the bucket. Every single dollar, every single penny that you donate, be it by coming to the event or by donating directly to a charity, will make a massive impact on the lives of the survivors. Beyond that, I firmly believe that by coming together to create a fellowship with others in the spirit of rebuilding, even for us who are so far away, will have an effect on the world over, and that positivity can be directed towards those who are still suffering and indeed have just a great an impact as monetary donation.

The event is at Random Row Books and starts at 5pm. Come out early and be prepared to stay late!

Hi Everybody, I just wanted to write a quick hello and happy new year message. 2009 was a pretty cool year, with the release of my first chant album, Waves, and lots of live kirtan, in and around Charlottesville; as far north as New Lebanon NY, and as far south as Pensacola Florida. Thanks to everyone for all of your support; 2010 will only be a step up for all of us!

Om shanthi,

Jdavyd

Whew, we’re back from the Florida trip. I had a blast, and while the weather was a bit rainy at times it was nothing compared to the 800 feet of snow that got dropped on charlottesville while I was gone! But seriously, this was the first time that I had ever been to Florida and I can’t say enough good things about it.

I especially can’t sing the praises of Jan Atkins and Fish Tree Yoga enough. Jan responded to an email from me, a singer that just released his first album this year, and who had only lead kirtan outside of his home town a handful of times, and opened up her home and studio to us warmly. I can’t think of a person that has ever treated me as well as Jan did, nor a studio that was such a joy to play at.

Walking onto the grounds at Fish Tree Yoga is really like walking into a fairy tale. It is truly one of the most peaceful, serene places that I have ever been to, let alone sang at. Since we’ve come home there have even been plans made to create a lake outside the studio! I promise that any trip taken to FTY will be worth your while. It certainly became a home away from home for me.

Back here in cville, the snow is melting… slowly but surely. Don’t forget!!! We’re having a kirtan show at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar on Monday the 28th. It will be an excellent way to connect your christmas & new years celebrations! Why let the party stop?

A dear friend asked me if I would post the lyrics to the last song on Waves. At Sea is a pretty old song, originally written for and performed by my old band, In Tenebris, and released on the album From Blood and Water, which can be downloaded from the In Tenebris website free of charge.

At the time I wrote the song, In Tenebris was playing shows very regularly in the Norfolk/Va Beach area, and we were doing a lot of recording through the kindness of friends in that area as well. I had, to that point, lived a pretty land locked life, so exposure to large bodies of water was a new thing for me. Seeing the water had a calming, centering effect for me that I didn’t really understand. Somehow, seeing all that water, I seemed to gain a new perspective on my life, my feelings, and the negativity and problems I had. I walked away feeling new. This still happens to me, whenever I’m near that much water.

The essence of that feeling is what I wrote the song At Sea about – in particular a beach in Buckroe Va that doesn’t actually look out onto the ocean, but the bay. Pictures from that beach are where the cover and outside tray artwork from Waves came from.

Sometimes things happen that can get you down. People, places, things. When that happens, when you feel like the world is weighing on you, what is more comforting than picking yourself up and going off into a safe place with someone you love? That safe can be anywhere, and that person can be a lover, a friend, God…

A lot of the songs on Waves were composed in the same kind of way. When writing more “Pop” oriented music, I tend to start a brainstorming session by putting together a drum loop, or a groove with a basic chord change, and then just listen to it looped for a while. Invariably, the melodies just start to come into my head, and I use a keyboard or guitar to work them out. With Waves, this process was a little different; I’d start out with the tanpura drone, and try to build a kind of… atmospheric presence with synthesizers. For the curious, Native Instruments played a big part in this album, particularly Absynth and Reaktor. Once I had built this atmosphere, I would just sit and listen to it for a while, and try to see if there was a melody or mantra waiting in it for me to find. I did this one day, and started pecking around on the keyboard for a melody; before I knew what was happening, I was playing the old familiar piano melody from one of In Tenebris’ signature songs. I hadn’t intended to rebuild any old songs, but the lyrics and feeling of this one seemed to fit the mood of the album so far… and I also decided that including a new version of an old song would be a (probably less than) subtle nod to Peter Murphy’s album Dust, which had been a huge influence on the direction of Waves.

The version on Waves contains an extra verse, which, again, I hadn’t originally intended on doing, but as I was recording the vocal tracks, for one take I just left it running, and the sound of the tanpura inspired me to keep singing.

Rain outside the window paine

Reminds me of the life I used to lead

No one to be

Every day the others come

And tell me all the things I should believe

And what to see

This is no life to live

Come and take my hand and we will leave

And wait for the wind, At sea…

The future’s calling me

Leading us away to soon be free

To live and breathe

Trust me now and don’t look back

I know that you are hurt and long to sleep

And feel relief

From this life

Come and take my hand and we will leave

And wait for the wind, At sea…

Come and take my pain away

I’ve always tried to live as they would have me

But still they leave

Here and now, I’ve found myself

And I have never felt so well believed

When you hear me

I would give all that I have

And never think of what they take from me

When no one sees

With you I will walk away

We’ll never need the things that they would bring

And we will wait, At sea…

Throw away your restless thoughts

Realize the truth within your being

And do not flee

You and I are of one heart

Cast aside your doubt and you will see

This is my plea

Open yourself to the sound

Follow towards the names, the waves, be free

And wait for the wind, At sea…

I hope you enjoy it. Om shanthi,

Jdavyd

Hey Florida!
I’m going to be in Pensacola for a week in December, and would love to share some Kirtan while I’m there. If you have any ideas on venues, yoga centers, or interested parties to contact, send me an email.

Om shanthi,
Jdavyd