Well, to be honest, I was certainly not playing anything actually traditional (though Dan and Tiffany were, see below). The traditional styles of North India are a favorite of mine and so I have some idea of just how vast and deep they are and cannot claim to have anything near the skill and presence that those trained in this form have. But I did give it a go with my best impersonation Saturday night with Dan on Santoor and Tiffany on Tamboura at Seaside Church in Encinitas when we opened for Swami Nirvanananda.
It was just awesome. This style of music is at once meditative and ecstatic. What more could one ask for?
Well, maybe a few more days (or weeks or years) to practice. As for our rendition, we gave it our best with only one day of practice before the performance! LOL. For what its worth I thought we did fantastic. I certainly hope I get a chance to do something like this again.
We played for about 30 minutes with Dan leading the way into the beautiful raga Kaushik Dhwani. It was a great privilege to play in front of so many people.
My heartfelt gratitude to Dan and Tiffany for the privilege of playing with them as well (special thanks to Dan for holding my hand through it all); for all of their appreciation for the beauty of the music and easy-going company. Also to Swami Nirvanananda and his team for this great opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space.
Oh! And thanks to Roz for taking these videos!!
Technical note: I recommend listening with headphones if possible because the bass in the drum (udu) did not make it so much on the video. Sounded great on stage but apparently the audience could not hear it as well. Oh well. Check out part three of the videos below. You can find the intro and middle parts here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Ajikas.
This is my very first newsletter; issue one of the Ajikas Journey. This is my first time playing with a newsletter so I am sure it will evolve and take shape over time. At the very least I want to use it as a channel to update people on my musical adventures and provide some means for staying in touch otherwise. This issue will mostly be collecting all my current stuff into one place for ease of browsing.
For all the ways to stay in touch with me online please see the end of this newsletter.
In the Beginning
I have been really happy with all the developments that are happening so quickly. It was just over a month ago I started playing open mic nights and already I am starting to get offers to play cooler places! I am also getting the initial stirrings of some online notice – such fun! Embracing music as what I want to do with my life has been a long time coming. It was a real process of creative maturing that has lead me to this place. I am so grateful to be here.
What Does Ajikas Mean Anyway?
Ajikas (ah-GEE-kaas) is a word I made up years and years ago as a sort of unknown totem. I see it as a symbol through which to express energies that leaves the door wide open to move in any direction. In a way it is the name of my one-man band, a way to conceptualize at-a-glance the art object that my musical adventures produce.
Ajikas.com Redesigned
Yes, I have redesigned my site yet again. The site has gone through many forms to reach this one. IT was even in a very similar form not long ago! After trying on a few designs I feel like this one will suit me for a time now. But, I am a web designer, so I expect I will want to play with the design again soon. Let me know what you think: www.ajikas.com.
Also, please check out my blog at ajikas.com/journal. I write entries about my music, other music I am in to, articles about blogging (and social networking) and my various esoteric interests.
Free MP3 Downloads
I currently have three free MP3 downloads available through my site.
“Tuning the Psychospere” is the latest and reflects my current interests. For me the music is as much about the silence as the sound.
“Three World Portal” is an improvised piece I captured at the beach one day. I was really impressed with how clear the flute and ocean came through and so have provided it for others to enjoy.
“Heron Contemplates the Afternoon Moon” is also a flute track but with the inclusion of a crystal singing bowl and some nature sounds. It is largely and experiment as I learn to record, mix and master my own music. Plus it is a simple sketch experimenting with more of a sense of narrative and multiple sound sources.
Find all my downloads at ajikas.com. More free music soon…
In the Studio
I have two main focuses in my life right now, playing live and recording in my studio. The studio is still in the works. Right now I need a few pieces of gear to get it really happening. But I am just awestruck that I have a studio at all! What a gift.
Upcoming Live Performances
Here are the latest shows I have planned for August and September. These times and location may change as the organizers sort them out, plus I will hopefully be adding more too the list. The best way to find out about my current list of shows is to visit my site at www.ajikas.com/live/.
Aug 8th, 2010, 1pm (today)
Mission Trails Outdoor Amphitheater Facebook Event Page
San Diego Flute Circle
An open mic format gathering of native flute players from around the area.
Aug 14th, 2010, 7pm
Seaside Church Facebook Event Page
Swami Nirvanananda Children’s Benefit
I will be playing the udu (clay drum) as accompaniment to my friend Dan Blanchard who will be playing the Santoor.
Aug 26th, 2010, 6pm
Encinitas Library
Encinitas Fresh Open Mic
The acoustics in this room are fantastic. In July there was a full string quartet that showed up to play. This is an open mic like no other open mic.
Sep 19th, 2010, 3pm
Mission Trails Outdoor Amphitheater
San Diego Flute Circle special concert for the Mission Trails Visitor Center reception
This should be sweet. It will be an all native flute concert at the outdoor amphitheater.
Ajikas Online
Here are all the ways I would love to connect with you online:
Facebook Band Page – I am loving Facebook! Please become a fan (*like*) this page and share it with your Facebook friends who you think might like it too.
My Facebook Main Profile – For general connecting. I am trying to post different content to the page above and this, my main profile, so please friend me at both places.
Twitter – Twitter is starting to get real fun as I am figuring out what to do with it.
Myspace – I just started this one up. Anyone out there into Myspace? Yea, I didn’t think so. But let me know if you change your mind.
This Newsletter (Ajikas Journey) – Please share this with anyone you think might like it and let them know they can sign up themselves to get future issues at ajikas.com.
And for those in the know with online music sites:
That about covers it for this issue. Thanks for being in this amazing world with me.
Peace,
Gabe
You can subscribe or unsubscribe from my email list at any time by visiting ajikas.com and using the newsletter signup/cancel form on the right of any page.
The Mission Trails Flute Circle is one of the best places to play and listen to flute music I have found. The space is an outdoor amphitheater built right into the desert rock, surrounded by vast stretches of chaparral and hills. It is a very inspiring place.
One of the big perks of this event, as a flute player, is the amazing solar powered audio system rig provided by Jon Sherman (who also happens to make and play some astounding flutes!). It is just awesome – a work of art in itself. To be able to play out in the desert, in this carved rock amphitheater AND have mics… wow.
The best part of the day, though, is being able to sit back and take in all the different flute voices from the myriad players that show up. So many different flutes and styles make for an afternoon of creativity, energy and insight.
Starting in August 2010 the Circle will be held on the second Sunday of each month at 1pm. In September it will be a special show for a reception at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. Don’t miss it!
You can now download my solo flute improvisation track “Three World Portal.” I recorded it yesterday at Grandview Beach in Encinitas. You can hear the ocean in the background and if you listen real close you might catch a seagull playing along.
Please feel free to download and enjoy this mp3 (see link below). All I ask is for your email address so that I can stay in touch with you about future Ajikas news.
Last week I kicked off the “My World” Tour. Is it silly to have a site and tour for an artist playing at open mic nights? Yes. But I think it is good fun and want to experiment with the idea of “become the change you want to see.” So here it is, “My World” Tour. Which basically means a tour around my world; all the local venues that will let me play. So check the Live page for upcoming shows and come on out to see what I am up to.
And remember, so far all the shows on the tour are free!
For yesterday’s holiday celebration we decided to take a jaunt out to the most northwest point of the contiguous United States, Cape Flattery (just past Neah Bay). This means a full day of driving, about 4-5 hours one way, but at the still point between is one of the most beautiful places to stand I have ever been. I just couldn’t help myself and had to squat down (to avoid the wild winds) and play a little tune of gratitude. Just after that a family of Sea Lions made their playful way across the open ocean below us.
Along the way we saw a Bald Eagle land on a beach, a big family of Elk dining in a wooded field and at the last we were bid a fond farewell from a singe Doe who made her way to the side of the road to see us off in the twilight.
My thanks to the Makah people for not only providing us access to this amazing place, but also for all the hard work and money they have put in to the trail upkeep. It is an absolutely beautiful trail to this wondrous lookout point.
The view to the South from the lookout point.
View to the North.
The view West, Tatoosh Island, named for a Makah chief.
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Apparently so.
