“Music as spirituality is the search for essence, for truth, and for meaning. It is the journey of interconnection and of finding our place within the vast universe.”
- Sora, singer-songwriter

DR. BYRON ALMÉN is an author, music theorist, pianist, organist, and Associate Professor from Austin, Texas. His book "Approaches To Meaning In Music" (2006), co-edited with Edward Pearsall, and "A Theory of Musical Narrative" (2008) are both available from Indiana University Press. He has published in Journal of Music Theory, Journal of the American Musicological Society, Theory & Practice, Theoria, and Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, among many others. Byron Almén is Associate Professor of Music Theory at the School of Music and College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. He is the primary instructor for the history of music theory, music theory pedagogy, freshman music theory, and score reading. Website: www.music.utexas.edu
Interview: September 18th 2009 Austin, Texas, United States
Photo: Byron Almén

“Among the things that I do as a music theorist is to examine the ways that music can have meaning, to articulate more fully what those meanings are, and to discover how such meanings are possible in music.” - Byron Almén, co-editor of "Approaches To Meaning In Music"

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

JUAN G. ROEDERER is an author, educator, Professor of Physics Emeritus from the Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska. His book "The Physics And Psychophysics Of Music: An Introduction" (2008) is available from Springer Publishing. Juan G. Roederer is a member of the Third World Academy of Sciences and of the Academies of Science of Austria and Argentina, as well as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also received the medal "100 Years in Geophysics" from the former Soviet Academy of Sciences, and three awards from NASA for his work with the "Galileo" space mission to Jupiter. Juan G. Roederer is also an accomplished organist and fluent in four languages. Website: www.gi.alaska.edu/~Roederer
Interview: January 6th 2010 Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Photo: Juan G. Roederer

“The role of music and the feelings it triggers in ... religion, ideological proselytism, military arousal, even antisocial behavior, testify to its spiritual value.” - Juan G. Roederer, author of "The Physics And Psychophysics Of Music: An Introduction"

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

WILLIAM TARKOVSKY is an author and Founder of New Creationism from Bristol, England. His book "The Book of New Creation" (2009) provides the philosophy of New Creationism: "that we can create the world anew on the basis of humanism, sustainability, and service". Websites: www.thebookofnewcreation.co.uk and www.greenmessiah.com
Interview: January 7th 2010 Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Photo: William Tarkovsky / GreenMessiah.com

“New Creationism sees music as one of the most accessible means of transcending the self.” - William Tarkovsky, Founder of New Creationism

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

ROSEMARIE ASHLEY (aka 'tude vox Ro) is a singer, songwriter and music producer from Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. She uses the creative power of music to encourage personal empowerment, cooperation and world peace in a variety of popular styles.  Rosemarie collaborates with some of the world's finest musicians including her engineer and co-producer Scott Sumner.  An early release of her debut album "From Primal To Divine" (2009) is available through Gen-Ray Records at www.SassyAlternativeMusic.com/Downloads. The song book, "From Primal To Divine Evolution Strategy", includes color pictures, song descriptions, backgrounds and lyrics FREE with purchase of every CD. MySpace: www.myspace.com/39tudevox and Website: www.SassyAlternativeMusic.com
Interview: September 1st 2009 Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, United States
Photo: Rosemarie Ashley / SassyAlternativeMusic.com

“Creativity, in any form, is Divinity in action. Music is one of many ways to communicate spirituality.” - Rosemarie Ashley, singer-songwriter

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

NATHEN ASWELL is an NS Stick player, vocalist, and singer-songwriter from Vancouver, Canada. His debut CD "Little By Little" (2007) is available from Brouhaha Records and CDBaby, and his 2-DVD set "Nathen Aswell In Concert: Little By Little" (2008) is available from Brouhaha Records. Nathen Aswell's musical journey began in the Catholic church and now continues in his performances at numerous New Thought churches, Kirtan gatherings and House Concerts throughout Canada and the United States. Nathen has performed at many music celebrations, including the International Folk Alliance Conference, FAR-West, Harmonizing With Humanity, and The Posi Awards. MySpace: www.myspace.com/nathenaswell and Website: www.NathenAswell.com
Interview: September 27th 2009 Vancouver, Canada
Photo: Daniel Collins / NathenAswell.com

“Music, for me, has ALWAYS been intimately intertwined with spirituality.” - Nathen Aswell, singer-songwriter

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

JOHANNES LINSTEAD, also known as Sevara, is an author, composer, guitarist, instrumentalist, and yogi from Toronto, Canada. "Sol Luna Tierra" (1999), "Kiss The Earth" (2000), "Guitarra Del Fuego" (2002), "Zabuca" (2003), "Mediterranea" (2004), "Cafe Tropical" (2006), "Encanto" (2007), and "Mistico" (2009) are all available from Earthscape Media Inc. Johannes Linstead's music beautifully blends virtuoso Spanish-style guitar with Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern, and Latin American percussion. Johannes Linstead is also Founder of the Divine Earth Organization, an online humanitarian community where forum members post information about health, spirituality, and world politics. MySpace: www.myspace.com/johanneslinstead, and Websites: www.johanneslinstead.com and www.divineearth.org
Interview: March 9th 2010 Toronto, Canada
Photo: Johannes Linstead / Earthscape Media Inc.

“Music is as mysterious as life itself. Life flows through myriad emotions and music flows along as a companion.” - Johannes Linstead, composer and guitarist

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

RAGANI is an award-winning kirtan recording artist and sacred chant vocalist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her albums "Best Of Both Worlds" (2003), "Turn The World To Love [India Only]" (2006), and "Ancient Spirit" (2006) are available from Amazon, iTunes, and Music Design. Ragani's music is focused on sacred chants called kirtan, with the intention of sending vibrations of love into the universe, and encouraging listeners to Turn the World to Love®. Ragani also arranges India Sacred Retreat Tours traveling to northern India, the abode of the mystics and the majestic Himalayas. Website: www.raganiworld.com
Interview: March 7th 2010 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Photo: Dale Buegel

“Music and sound are like electricity... music can transport us to places of spirit, to places in the heart.” - Ragani, musician and producer

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

SORA is a composer, pianist, singer-songwriter, violinist, and mezzo-soprano vocalist from Calgary, Canada. Her albums "Winds Of Change" (2003), "Light [EP]" (2008), and "Heartwood" (2009) are all available from Corvid Media. Sora's music embraces an affinity for ancient myths and mystic memories creating a richly sonic world that combines Celtic music with Neo-Classical sensibilities. Sora's greatest musical influences are Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Sarah Brightman, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, and the Indigo Girls. MySpace: www.myspace.com/sorasinger, and Website: www.soramusic.ca
Interview: March 12th 2010 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Photo: Sora / SoraMusic.ca

“Music as spirituality is the search for essence, for truth, and for meaning. It is the journey of interconnection and of finding our place within the vast universe.” - Sora, singer-songwriter

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

PEGGY VAN ZALM is a singer-songwriter from Elands, Australia. Her albums include Martha's Vineyard's "Martha's Vineyard (Self-Titled)" (1989), "Soul Magic" (1994), "Revival" (1998), "Different World" (2001), and "Light Diamond" (2006) are all available from Red Dirt Records. Peggy van Zalm plays folk-pop songs that take listeners on a spiritual voyage to discover new world music that is entrancing and enlivening. Website: www.peggyvanzalm.net
Interview: March 8th 2010 Elands, Australia
Photo: Peggy van Zalm / PeggyvanZalm.net

“Music can heighten celebration, energise and enhance social and humanitarian events, sanctify ritual, uplift and deepen friendships.” - Peggy van Zalm, singer-songwriter

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW

MATT VENUTI is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sound-innovator from San Francisco, California. His albums "Hangisphere", "Dance Of The Helix", and The Venusians “Hot Planet” are all available on CD Baby and through his website. Matt's music displays diverse energy and stylistic innovation, and has lately been exploring the extraordinary world of the PanArt Hang, the world's latest and greatest acoustic instrument of the 21st Century. Website: www.venusians.com
Interview: January 24th 2010 San Francisco, California, United States
Photo: Matt Venuti / Media Owls

“Music can be expressed in infinite ways to offer inspiration, comfort, and introspection to accepting ears, hearts, and minds.” - Matt Venuti, composer and multi-instrumentalist

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW