“Music is the deep hum behind reality,
part of the thread that ties the universe together.”
- Daniel Bedingfield, singer-songwriter

REINHARD & CORNELIA FLATISCHLER are composers, percussionists, and pioneers of TaKeTiNa who live in Vienna, Austria. When in the United States, they are based in Damascus, Oregon, where the U.S. teacher training is held. Reinhard Flatischler's book "The Forgotten Power Of Rhythm: TaKeTiNa" (1992) is available from Life Rhythm, and "TaKeTiNa: Rhythm For Evolution [DVD Included]" (2006) is available from Schott Music. MegaDrums' "Schinore" (1986), "Coreana" (1987), "Transformation" (1990), "Ketu" (1993), "Layers Of Time" (1995), "Terra Nova" (1999), and "The World Is Full Of Rhythm" (1999) are all available from Intuition Music. TaKeTiNa is an educational process in the field of creative percussion that creates rhythm consciousness through the interaction of feet, hands, and voice. Reinhard Flatischler is also founder of MegaDrums, a dynamic global percussion project that unites individual percussionists from all over the world. Websites: www.flatischler.com, www.megadrums.com, www.taketina.com, and www.villageheartbeat.com
Interview: August 15th 2008 Vienna, Austria
Interview arranged by Zorina Wolf, Village Heartbeat
Photo: Reinhard & Cornelia Flatischler / TaKeTiNa.com

“Music is a path to connect to the higher realms within us... Music is the foundation within each life form – in vibration akin to love and joy!” - Reinhard & Cornelia Flatischler, authors of “TaKeTiNa: Rhythm For Evolution”

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DR. HELEN PHELAN is an author and Course Director of the MA Ritual Chant and Song at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland. Her book "Anáil Dé: The Breath Of God: Music, Ritual, And Spirituality" (2001) is available from Veritas Publications. She has also designed a four-part radio documentary based on the book. She is the Director of the Sanctuary initiative that coordinates Higher Education Authority funding for work with the ritual music of asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland. Dr. Helen Phelan is also Director and Founder of the Anáil Dé: Breath of God Festival of Sacred World Music. Website: www.ul.ie/~iwmc/
Interview: July 26th 2008 Limerick, Ireland
Photo: Helen Phelan

“Listening, hearing, sounding, and singing are hard-wired into our earliest experiences of being.” - Dr. Helen Phelan, author of “Anáil Dé: The Breath Of God: Music, Ritual, And Spirituality”

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DR. MELVYN WILLIN is an author, composer, ghost expert, lecturer, music teacher, paramusicologist, parapsychological researcher, and psychical investigator from Essex, England. "Music, Witchcraft And The Paranormal" (2005) is available from Melrose Books, "Ghosts Caught On Film: Photographs Of The Paranormal?" (2007), and "The Paranormal Caught On Film: Amazing Photographs Of Ghosts, Poltergeists And Other Strange Phenomena" (2008) are both available from David & Charles Books. "Anomalous Acoustic Phenomena [3CD]" (2007) is available from the Freiburg Institute, Germany. Dr. Melvyn Willin is also Honorary Archive Officer of The Society For Psychical Research, and has written many articles on music and the paranormal. Website: www.hulford.co.uk/willin.html
Interview: October 10th 2008 Essex, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Dr. Melvyn Willin

“Music is a readily accessible pathway to finding one’s own spirituality.” - Dr. Melvyn Willin, author of “Music, Witchcraft And The Paranormal”

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ANGELRAGE are a Christian heavy-metal band from Los Angeles, California. “Fight The Devil: 10th Anniversary Edition [Re-Released EP]” (2005), “Alive And Deadly: Dysangellion Tour 2005 [EP]” (2007), and “Dysangellion” (2007) are all independently released and available from Angelrage. Website: www.angelrage.com
Interview (Raphael D’Angelo): June 15th 2007 Hollywood, California, United States
Photo: Raphael D’Angelo / Angelrage.com

“Music is uniquely powerful in that it can deliver a message lyrically while having the ability to further manipulate emotions.” - Raphael D'Angelo, guitarist and vocalist in Angelrage

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KEVIN MAX is an author, singer, songwriter, and poet living in Las Vegas, Nevada, and former vocalist in the rock band DC Talk from Lynchburg, Virginia. DC Talk’s “The Early Years” (2006), “Jesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special Edition” (2006), and “Greatest Hits” (2007) are all available from ForeFront Records. Kevin Max’s “At The Foot Of Heaven [EP]” is available from Starsong Productions, “Stereotype Be” (2001) is available from ForeFront Records, “The Imposter” (2005) is available from Northern Records, and “The Blood” (2008) is available from Infinity Music Distribution. Kevin Max has also published several books of his poetry; “At The Foot Of Heaven” (1994) is available from Starsong Productions, “The Detritus Of Dorian Gray” (2003), and “PO.ET.RY” (2005) are both available from Blind Thief Publishing. Websites: www.dctalk.com and www.kevinmax.com
Interview: October 17th 2006 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Photo: Melinda di Mauro

“When music is being performed, or created, in that most innocent and pure moment of function, we are closest to God.” - Kevin Max, vocalist

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DAVID MELBY-GIBBONS is a composer, guitarist, and musician based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate from the Master of Arts in Urban Studies with an emphasis on Arts in Transformation, offered in partnership between BuildaBridge Institute and Eastern University. David Melby-Gibbons is also a worship music leader at Edgeboro Moravian Church. Websites: www.buildabridge.org, www.eastern.edu, and www.edgeboromoravian.org
Interview: August 14th 2008 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Photo: David Melby-Gibbons

“In God’s time, we can hear the songs of angels and we simply rejoice to be part of the ensemble.” - David Melby-Gibbons, composer, guitarist, and musician

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APOCRYPHAL VOICE are an avant-garde black-metal band from Riihimäki, Finland. “The Sickening [EP]” (2003) is available from Rage Of Achilles, and “Stilltrapped” (2007) is available from Candlelight Records. Website: http://koti.mbnet.fi/kasdaye/
Interview (Juhani Jokisalo): February 4th 2007 Riihimäki, Finland
Photo: Apocryphal Voice

“Music can open doors within the listener’s psyche and lead them to a journey into mental and spiritual realms.” - Juhani Jokisalo, guitarist, bassist, and vocalist in Apocryphal Voice

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BLASPHEMER are a brutal death-metal band from Milan, Italy. Their first split-CD (2003), with Scrambled Defuncts and Humanity F*cked To Gore, is available from Relics Records, their second split-CD-R (2006), with Modus Delicti and Eskaton, is available from Italian Frost Foundation Records, and their debut full-length album "On The Inexistence Of God" (2008) is available from Comatose Music. Blasphemer's "Nihilist Preachers Of Death" also features on the motion picture soundtrack of "Modern Love Is Automatic" (2008) directed by Zach Clark. MySpace: www.myspace.com/blasphemerbrutal
Interview: September 11th 2008 Milan, Italy
Photo: Blasphemer / Comatose Music

“Music is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.” - Blasphemer

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DEADSOIL are a metal band from the Ruhr Area, Germany. “Forever The Enemy [EP]” (2003) is available from PoisonFree.com Records, “The Venom Divine” (2004), and “Sacrifice” (2006) are both available from Lifeforce Records. Website: www.deadsoil.net
Interview (Boris Pracht): December 5th 2007 Essen, Germany
Photo: Deadsoil / Deadsoil.net

“Music challenges your creativity and makes you free your mind... Life is a little bit easier with music!” - Boris Pracht, guitarist in Deadsoil

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PITCHSHIFTER are one of the founders of the "Rocktronica" music movement, formed in Nottingham, England. "Industrial" (1991) was available from Deaf Records and Peaceville Records, "Desensitized" (1993), "Submit [Mini-LP]" (1995), "The Remix War" (1995), and "Infotainment?" (1996) were all available from Earache Records, "pitchshifter.com" (1998) is available from Geffen Records, "Deviant" (2000) is available from MCA Records, "PSI" (2002) is available from Mayan Records and Sanctuary Records, "P.S.I.entology [DVD]" (2004), and "None For All And All For One [EP]" (2006) are both available from PSI Records. Websites: www.pitchshifter.com and www.psirecords.com
Interview: July 30th 2008 Los Angeles, California, United States
Interview arranged by Whit Barnes and Lisa Clayden, PSI Records, Inc.
Photo: Nigel Crane / Pitchshifter / PSI Records, Inc.

“Music has saved me from being totally alone in the darkness, and also driven me to greater heights in the light.” - J.S. Clayden, vocalist, programmer, and engineer in Pitchshifter

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RESURRECTION are a death-metal band from Tampa, Florida, United States. “Embalmed Existence” (1993) is available from Nuclear Blast Records, “Ritual Slaughter [EP]” (2007) is available from Resurrection’s MySpace and website, “Mistaken For Dead” (2008), and “Embalmed Existence [Deluxe Limited Edition]” (2009) are both available from Massacre Records. MySpace: www.myspace.com/resurrectionfl and Website: www.resurrectionmetal.com
Interview (John Astl): November 15th 2007 Tampa, Florida, United States
Photo: Resurrection / ResurrectionMetal.com

“Life would be boring if music did not have a spiritual stronghold on our souls, spirituality, and existence.” - John Astl, guitarist in Resurrection

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AHLEUCHATISTAS (pronounced "Ah-Loo-Cha-Tees-Tas") are an avant-jazz math-punk trio from Asheville, North Carolina. "On The Culture Industry" (2003) is available from Angura Sound, "What You Will" (2006), and "Even In The Midst" are both available from Cuneiform Records, "The Same And The Other [Re-Issue CD]" (2008) is available from Tzadik Records, and "The Same And The Other [Re-Issue 12" Vinyl]" is available from Hello Sir Records. Website: www.ahleuchatistas.com
Interview (Shane Perlowin): July 13th 2008 Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Photo: Ahleuchatistas / Ahleuchatistas.com

“My experience of music is the most convincing teleological proof of something infinite, powerful, and beautiful.” - Shane Perlowin, guitarist in Ahleuchatistas

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CYRO BAPTISTA is a Brazilian musician, teacher, and percussionist based in North Jersey, New Jersey. "Villa-Lobos/Vira-Loucos" (1997) is available from Avant Records, Cyro Baptista & Kevin Breit's "Supergenerous" (2000) is available from Blue Note Records, Cyro Baptista & Beat The Donkey's "Beat The Donkey (Self-Titled)" (2002) is available from Tzadik Records, "Beat The Donkey Beat" (2004) is available from Out Of My Mind Music, "Love The Donkey" (2005), and "Banquet Of The Spirits" (2008) are both available from Tzadik Records. Cyro Baptista has collaborated with many musicians including Trey Anastasio, Laurie Anderson, Derek Bailey, Tony Bennett, David Byrne, Herbie Hancock, Arto Lindsay, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Palmer, Paul Simon, Grover Washington Jr., and John Zorn. Website: www.cyrobaptista.com
Interview: July 29th 2008 North Jersey, New Jersey, United States
Interview arranged by Eleonora Alberto
Photo: Cyro Baptista / CyroBaptista.com

“The human race needs music right now more than ever as a power that can transform the environment and create oceans of possibilities.” - Cyro Baptista, percussionist

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DANIEL BEDINGFIELD is a New Zealand-born, British singer-songwriter. "Gotta Get Thru This" (2002) is available from Universal International, "Second First Impression" (2004) is available from Polydor Records, and there are now three albums recorded and awaiting release. He also sings backing vocals for "Every Little Thing" from Delirious?'s "World Service" (2003) available from Furious? Records. Daniel Bedingfield together with friend Steve Chalk has established Stop The Traffik, a global coalition campaigning to stop people-trafficking throughout the world. Websites: www.danielbedingfield.com and www.stopthetraffik.org
Interview: September 19th 2008 Auckland, New Zealand
Interview arranged by Rachael Pearce, UHT Productions
Photo: Daniel Bedingfield / Polydor Records

“Music is the deep hum behind reality, part of the thread that ties the universe together.” - Daniel Bedingfield, singer-songwriter

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SNAKE DAVIS is a saxophone, flute, and shakuhachi player from Buckingham, England. "Snakebites" (2001), "Hysteria" (2003), and "Adder Lessons" (2005) were all independently released, and "Talking Bird" (2008) is available from Skin Records. Snake Davis has performed with Ray Charles, Jamiroquai, Tom Jones, Beyoncé Knowles, M People, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Motörhead, Pet Shop Boys, Primal Scream, and Spice Girls, and has also worked on several television adverts in the United Kingdom and abroad. Website: www.snakedavis.com
Interview: September 9th 2008 Buckingham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Snake Davis / SnakeDavis.com

“The music simply runs through me: my body and my instrument are merely vessels through which the music travels.” - Snake Davis, saxophone, flute, and shakuhachi player

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ANDREW DOWNES is a classical composer born in Birmingham, England. His CDs "Czech Philharmonic Horns" (2000), "Old Love's Domain" (2000), "The Marshes Of Glynn And Centenary Firedances" (2000), "The Lord Is My Shepherd" (2001), "Concerto For Guitar, Bass Guitar And Strings" (2001), "Pastorale Sounds" (2001), "Sounds And Colors II - Music For Flute Choir By Andrew Downes" (2001), "Schlosskonzert" (2001), "Messen Und Sonaten" (2002), and "Piano Sonatina And Piano Sonatas 1 & 2" (2005) are all available from Lynwood Music, "Brahms Trio Prague" (2008), and "Andrew Downes: Music For Horns And Wagner Tubas Played By The Horns Of The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra" (2008) are both available from ArteSmon. Andrew Downes has studied music at St. John's College, Cambridge, and the Royal College of Music, and was Head of the School of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire between 1992 and 2005. Website: www.andrewdownes.com
Interview: October 8th 2008 Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Andrew Downes / AndrewDownes.com

“I hope that the spiritual journey taken each time I compose is communicated to performers and listeners alike.” - Andrew Downes, composer

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GREG FOX is a composer from Peterborough, England. "Six Soundcard Sonatas" (2005), "Sinister Symphony" (2005), "Parliament Of Demons" (2006), "Pompa Funebris Series [4CD]" (2006), "Malhaus Series [6CD]" (2006), "The Trinity [3CD]" (2006), "The Ramugen Project [3CD]" (2007), and "Carmen Of The Spheres [2CD]" are all freely available online via The Internet Archive and Greg Fox's website. Greg Fox's "Carmen Of The Spheres" (2006) is an octave-equivalence modelling approach to the orbital systems resonating "Music Of The Spheres". Websites: http://homepages.tesco.net/gregskius/ and www.archive.org
Interview: July 18th 2008 Peterborough, England, United Kingdom

“I believe music is strong evidence in support of an entirely naturalistic worldview.” - Greg Fox, composer

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GERRY HEMINGWAY is a composer and percussionist currently living in Plainsboro, New Jersey. "Chamber Works" (1999) is available from Tzadik Records, "Songs" (2002) is available from Between The Lines Records, Gerry Hemingway Quartet's "The Whimbler" (2005) is available from Clean Feed Records, and Gerry Hemingway Quintet's "Double Blues Crossing" (2005) is available from Between The Lines Records. Gerry Hemingway has appeared on over one-hundred recordings, and collaborated with many musicians including Anthony Braxton, Marilyn Crispell, Mark Dresser, Ned Rothenberg, and John Zorn. Gerry Hemingway's music essay "Awake At The Wheel: Observations In Overdrive" appears in John Zorn's "Arcana: Musicians On Music" (2000) available from Granary Books, Inc. He also is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship for his work in music composition. Website: www.gerryhemingway.com
Interview: July 25th 2008 Plainsboro, New Jersey, United States
Photo: Ken van Sickle / GerryHemingway.com

“Music is a kind of vehicle in life, we use it to what degree we need to get around.” - Gerry Hemingway, composer and percussionist

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CHRIS MANCINI is a music producer from Los Angeles, California. He was the West Coast Director of Creative Affairs for Arista in Los Angeles. Chris Mancini is the son of the famous film composer Henry Mancini. “Pink Panther’s Penthouse Party” (2004) is available from Virgin Records, and “Pink Panther Lounge” (2007) is available from BMG Music and the iTunes Music Store. MySpace: www.myspace.com/phantomic
Interview: October 18th 2006 Los Angeles, California, United States
Interview arranged by Jennifer Taylor Scott, Henry Mancini Enterprises, Inc.
Photo: Jill E. Packard / Henry Mancini Enterprises, Inc.

“Music is the soundtrack for the journey of life.” - Chris Mancini, music producer and son of Henry Mancini

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VIDYA SHAH is a composer, musician, and writer from New Delhi, India. "Hum Sab: Celebrating Cultures Of Resistance" (2008) is available from Underscore Records, and her international collaborations feature on Karsh Kale's "Realize" (2001), and MIDIval PunditZ's "MIDIval PunditZ (Self-Titled)" (2002) both available from Six Degrees Records. Vidya Shah was initially trained in Carnatic music, and later received guidance in Hindustani classical music from Shubha Mudgal and Thumri Dadra, and Ghazal from Shanti Hiranand. She has performed at national and international forums, including the Asia Society in New York and the Women's Initiative for Peace in South Asia. Vidya Shah is currently writing on North Indian art music for a forthcoming anthology of Indian traditions. Website: www.vidyashah-music.blogspot.com
Interview: July 15th 2008 New Delhi, India
Photo: Parthiv Shah / VidyaShah-Music.blogspot.com

“Music is in the metaphysical space, in an aura that has the strength and potential to transport one into another sphere of existence – one that is definitely spiritual!” - Vidya Shah, composer, musician, and writer

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