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Music
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Bio: Rara Avis combines over 15 years of multi-genre musical study with an intuitive understanding of modern technology. His instrumental training partnered with his passion for electronic dance music results in original lush techno-infused compositions that are enhanced with psychedelic live guitar,... more
Bio: Rara Avis combines over 15 years of multi-genre musical study with an intuitive understanding of modern technology. His instrumental training partnered with his passion for electronic dance music results in original lush techno-infused compositions that are enhanced with psychedelic live guitar, vocals, and a healthy dose of improvisation from his jazz and classical roots.
Music is the deepest medicine and Rara's journey has so far been all about infusing his songs with a powerful intention of healing for all, himself included. From his projects with Shiva Rea, Shaman's Dream, Jai Uttal, Desert Dwellers, to his solo work with Six Degrees Records, Rara is a prolific creator and a consummate collaborator in the realm of sacred music fusion and self expression through collaborative performance and ritual work.
His latest co-creation is the revamping of world famous trance/jam fusion band 'Medicine Drum'. The band, founded by Earthdance creator Chris Deckker, has been rocking dance floors across the globe since the mid 1990's... this promises to be a powerful vehicle for expressing sacred dance music now infused with conscious hip hop and a rich array of highly evocative beats and basslines.
A final note is that Rara's music is often used to enhance many different types of practice... from yoga to tai chi, massage to meditation... Rara's soundscapes are a favorite among those who seek supportive music to create, relax, or workout to... what's interesting is that aside from yoga most often people remark that it is great music to Make Love to. While this isn't the intention of Rara's creations, it is a deep and wondrous honor for him to be channeling music that enhances intimacy and trust between lovers - for no matter what your Sadhana, we all can use a little sexual healing.
Aho and Namaste hide
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YM: Who are you and where did you come from?
RA: Philosophical answer: "I am nameless, and come from the Infinite, that which is beyond space and time". Common Answer: "My given name is Alex King-Harris... I was born in Southern England, grew up in Newfoundland, Canada until the age of 16, then moved to British Columbia for the end of high school and 3 years of music school. This was a very formative time for me. I moved to Los Angeles for about 6 years to get my creative endeavors off the ground. I am now living in Ashland, Oregon and loving every bit of it. My tribal name is Rara Avis - many know me as that... it means 'Rare Bird' in Latin... it was gifted to me by perhaps the greatest downtempo DJ of all time, Tha Roman. If you've ever been gifted with a mix tape of his, you know what I mean. I love you Roman.
YM: Describe your music in 5 words.
RA: Temple/Ethno-Techno/Deep/Sexy/Funky
YM: Where did you get your funky beats?
RA: My parents have an amazing music collection - all the original vinyl from the 60's and 70's. I learned much from absorbing this as a child. Thankfully my Dad has a passion for high end stereo systems... in the house or car, we were always bumpin'. I also studied percussion among other things at music school. I then learned many secrets of electronic music production from the gifted and glorious members of the Southern California dance collective known as Moontribe. 15 years and going strong, throwing 'by donation' full moon dance event in the vast expanse of the Mohave Desert. Learning Rhythm is a life's study in and of itself that is always unfolding into new and amazing levels of expression. Learning how to make beats on a computer takes a constant search for people creating new ways of making sounds... which is why collaborating with others is a blast - you learn so much. These days I have a HUGE sound library of drum sounds. I try to create as much on my own as possible, then fatten things up with some tasty loops... and don't forget the BASSLINE - gotta have good bass interacting rhythmically with the drums and harmonically with the tune.
YM: Why Mantra?
RA: Because Sanskrit Mantra in particular is one of the oldest known forms of sacred or channeled language. It has been sung for thousands of years with the intention of harmonizing one's body, mind and soul with all that surrounds us. It is a holy gift to be able to sing, and to chant the words of such powerful languages is truly divine. English, while poetic at times, is also a very commercial language... therefore to release one from the grip of modern survival, ancient song often helps bring a sense of relief and union with that which is timeless and eternal...
YM: What do you want to be when you grow up?
RA: A healthy, humble, loving, giving person... and a respected elder.
YM: How do you manage to mesh so many forms of music and devotion?
RA: Technology. I know it gets a bad wrap, but it's ultimately just a tool, it's all about what you do with it. I create collages of music that span genres from old school to new. At no time in recent history have Humans been capable of doing what we're doing right now... ironically with tools that were originally designed for warfare. All music comes from the same source, the harmonic structure of the Universe (or One-Song) permeates all levels of being... the relationships found in songs follow the same rules that nature does when it's building a leaf, or for that matter when we build a church or even a bridge. Thus all genres are related and can be fused together using computers. The power of the modern CPU is off the charts, and we are able to harness all that light and power and turn it into a virtual studio capable of almost anything you could imagine.
YM: What is your favorite part of working in this business?
RA: Collaboration. So many amazing musicians, performers, dancers, poets, saints, healers, priests, gods and goddesses - throughout the world, willing to come together in the spirit of communion, togetherness and peace - to create a positive vibration for healing our culture. This is what I am here for. What I was born to be a part of...
YM: What is your theory on life?
RA: Love yourself and those around you, know that you are related to all things being and non-being. 'Be Kind, and the rest will take care of Itself'.
YM: What do you love?
RA: I Love beauty because that is easy... but these days I'm learning to love all the darkness... because it is there that the true healing begins.
YM: What does your yoga practice look/sound like?
RA: I use a lot of toning, long vocal tones while I begin - Oming, Harmonic overtone singing, just to settle the mind, breath and posture... - my practice is very focused on breath. The first 20-30 minutes I am doing various breath postures to expand the diaphragm, lungs and chest and to oxygenate the blood. I usually do more toning in between sets. Then a modified Sun Salutaion known as Dundaal... which roughly translates as Warrior. Imagine a Sun Salute but with punches, kicks, situps, muscle resistance training and some times Capoeira thrown in, mixed with pressurized breathing, using focus to direct Chi to the working muscle groups. Then some balancing poses, scales, tree, mountain, etc. to Yin out the Yang, long squats, then stretches, deeper hip openers, twists, etc. - inversions, then more toning, then Savasana. I prefer to practice out doors, somewhere really quiet - in nature...
YM: Finish this sentence: Right now the world needs…….
RA: Love and Understanding... Forgiveness. A return of the sacred feminine within us all. A re-birthing beyond all rebirths.
YM: You are not scared to throw some politics into the mix, please explain.
RA: Fear is truly the killer. Messengers come and go yet the Message of Salvation can never be destroyed... I trust in my guides and my ancestors. I feel supported by many others who see things the same way I do. America is a powerful country and the power truly lies in the People. Not in those who have become lost in their quest for Power. May all borders dissolve, all separation that doesn't support harmony be dispelled... Now is the Time.
YM: Who is on your i-pod.
RA: India.Arie, Philip Glass vs. Ravi Shankar, Kate Bush, Vibrasphere, Deadmau5, Trentemoller, Desert Dwellers, Shaman's Dream, Rara Avis (i love my own music! nothing wrong with that eh?), Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Bob Marley, Zap Mama, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Karsh Kale, Cheb I Sabbah, Don Peyote, Aron Elias, Pitch Black, Jai Uttal, Jimi Hendrix, Dabrye, Edit, Yasume, Yo-Yo Ma... to name a few.
YM: What is on the horizon for you?
RA: Going to the UK tomorrow for 3 weeks to celebrate my Grandma's 80th Birthday. Earthdance in September! New Desert Dwellers album coming out next Spring "Downtemple Dub: ROOTS" - almost finished... LA Kirtan singer Joey Lugassy and I are in the studio together - will be finished this fall... In October I'll be embarking on the 13 Prayers of Peace project with with James Twyman and Chris Deckker - Downtempo music behind all the great prayers from each major world religion. Big tour next year, both solo and with my new band Medicine Drum.
YM: Thank You for joining us! Where can we find out more about you?
http://www.raraavismusic.com
YM: Who are you and where did you come from?
RA: Philosophical answer: "I am nameless, and come from the Infinite, that which is beyond space and time". Common Answer: "My given name is Alex King-Harris... I was born in Southern England, grew up in Newfoundland, Canada until the age of 16, then moved to British Columbia for the end of high school and 3 years of music school. This was a very formative time for me. I moved to Los Angeles for about 6 years to get my creative endeavors off the ground. I am now living in Ashland, Oregon and loving every bit of it. My tribal name is Rara Avis - many know me as that... it means 'Rare Bird' in Latin... it was gifted to me by perhaps the greatest downtempo DJ of all time, Tha Roman. If you've ever been gifted with a mix tape of his, you know what I mean. I love you Roman.
YM: Describe your music in 5 words.
RA: Temple/Ethno-Techno/Deep/Sexy/Funky
YM: Where did you get your funky beats?
RA: My parents have an amazing music collection - all the original vinyl from the 60's and 70's. I learned much from absorbing this as a child. Thankfully my Dad has a passion for high end stereo systems... in the house or car, we were always bumpin'. I also studied percussion among other things at music school. I then learned many secrets of electronic music production from the gifted and glorious members of the Southern California dance collective known as Moontribe. 15 years and going strong, throwing 'by donation' full moon dance event in the vast expanse of the Mohave Desert. Learning Rhythm is a life's study in and of itself that is always unfolding into new and amazing levels of expression. Learning how to make beats on a computer takes a constant search for people creating new ways of making sounds... which is why collaborating with others is a blast - you learn so much. These days I have a HUGE sound library of drum sounds. I try to create as much on my own as possible, then fatten things up with some tasty loops... and don't forget the BASSLINE - gotta have good bass interacting rhythmically with the drums and harmonically with the tune.
YM: Why Mantra?
RA: Because Sanskrit Mantra in particular is one of the oldest known forms of sacred or channeled language. It has been sung for thousands of years with the intention of harmonizing one's body, mind and soul with all that surrounds us. It is a holy gift to be able to sing, and to chant the words of such powerful languages is truly divine. English, while poetic at times, is also a very commercial language... therefore to release one from the grip of modern survival, ancient song often helps bring a sense of relief and union with that which is timeless and eternal...
YM: What do you want to be when you grow up?
RA: A healthy, humble, loving, giving person... and a respected elder.
YM: How do you manage to mesh so many forms of music and devotion?
RA: Technology. I know it gets a bad wrap, but it's ultimately just a tool, it's all about what you do with it. I create collages of music that span genres from old school to new. At no time in recent history have Humans been capable of doing what we're doing right now... ironically with tools that were originally designed for warfare. All music comes from the same source, the harmonic structure of the Universe (or One-Song) permeates all levels of being... the relationships found in songs follow the same rules that nature does when it's building a leaf, or for that matter when we build a church or even a bridge. Thus all genres are related and can be fused together using computers. The power of the modern CPU is off the charts, and we are able to harness all that light and power and turn it into a virtual studio capable of almost anything you could imagine.
YM: What is your favorite part of working in this business?
RA: Collaboration. So many amazing musicians, performers, dancers, poets, saints, healers, priests, gods and goddesses - throughout the world, willing to come together in the spirit of communion, togetherness and peace - to create a positive vibration for healing our culture. This is what I am here for. What I was born to be a part of...
YM: What is your theory on life?
RA: Love yourself and those around you, know that you are related to all things being and non-being. 'Be Kind, and the rest will take care of Itself'.
YM: What do you love?
RA: I Love beauty because that is easy... but these days I'm learning to love all the darkness... because it is there that the true healing begins.
YM: What does your yoga practice look/sound like?
RA: I use a lot of toning, long vocal tones while I begin - Oming, Harmonic overtone singing, just to settle the mind, breath and posture... - my practice is very focused on breath. The first 20-30 minutes I am doing various breath postures to expand the diaphragm, lungs and chest and to oxygenate the blood. I usually do more toning in between sets. Then a modified Sun Salutaion known as Dundaal... which roughly translates as Warrior. Imagine a Sun Salute but with punches, kicks, situps, muscle resistance training and some times Capoeira thrown in, mixed with pressurized breathing, using focus to direct Chi to the working muscle groups. Then some balancing poses, scales, tree, mountain, etc. to Yin out the Yang, long squats, then stretches, deeper hip openers, twists, etc. - inversions, then more toning, then Savasana. I prefer to practice out doors, somewhere really quiet - in nature...
YM: Finish this sentence: Right now the world needs…….
RA: Love and Understanding... Forgiveness. A return of the sacred feminine within us all. A re-birthing beyond all rebirths.
YM: You are not scared to throw some politics into the mix, please explain.
RA: Fear is truly the killer. Messengers come and go yet the Message of Salvation can never be destroyed... I trust in my guides and my ancestors. I feel supported by many others who see things the same way I do. America is a powerful country and the power truly lies in the People. Not in those who have become lost in their quest for Power. May all borders dissolve, all separation that doesn't support harmony be dispelled... Now is the Time.
YM: Who is on your i-pod.
RA: India.Arie, Philip Glass vs. Ravi Shankar, Kate Bush, Vibrasphere, Deadmau5, Trentemoller, Desert Dwellers, Shaman's Dream, Rara Avis (i love my own music! nothing wrong with that eh?), Digable Planets, Arrested Development, Bob Marley, Zap Mama, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Karsh Kale, Cheb I Sabbah, Don Peyote, Aron Elias, Pitch Black, Jai Uttal, Jimi Hendrix, Dabrye, Edit, Yasume, Yo-Yo Ma... to name a few.
YM: What is on the horizon for you?
RA: Going to the UK tomorrow for 3 weeks to celebrate my Grandma's 80th Birthday. Earthdance in September! New Desert Dwellers album coming out next Spring "Downtemple Dub: ROOTS" - almost finished... LA Kirtan singer Joey Lugassy and I are in the studio together - will be finished this fall... In October I'll be embarking on the 13 Prayers of Peace project with with James Twyman and Chris Deckker - Downtempo music behind all the great prayers from each major world religion. Big tour next year, both solo and with my new band Medicine Drum.
YM: Thank You for joining us! Where can we find out more about you?
http://www.raraavismusic.com
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