Tears of Joy

SMILE!

by mAncient

This last week has been horrible. I’ve had to grab the corners of my mouth and drag upward to smile, and would’ve preferred to have a back bracelet to keep my back straight.

I work 17 hour days, seven days a week, which has been my life since 2018.

As a healer and coach, with 22 years of social work in my baggage, I do know a little about picking myself up. So, I got to work. Meditation, nutrition, connecting with good people.

But … there was one special key that became especially important.

I was waiting for my weekly Zoom with Neale Donald Walsch. On Mondays, it starts at 02:30am, and as I was waiting, all the struggles and battles I am in, caught up with me.

Feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, and all the darkness I have accumulated as a social worker and empath, working with people whose lives were plagued with darkness … I felt like a pressure cooker with no safety-valve.

I sat down to find songs for my show on @RDTVF (Twitter), and this song came up…

I had only listened to it for a few seconds, before I started crying.

Tears of joy.

It is said that monks are HEB (Highly Evolved Beings).

I am a monk. Can’t say I feel highly evolved; just another dude doing his life.

But if you want to hear what a HEB sounds like, check out this song: Shakyamuni Mantra by Kanho Yakushiji (Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mantra-earth/shakyamuni-mantra-by-kanho-yakushiji)

I could tell you a lot about why this song grabbed me. But I think you will understand, once you listen to it.

May it bring blessings, joy and healing to the rest of 2021, and to all of 2022!

Håkon (@mancient_com on Twitter) is a Norwegian-born monk, expat in Sweden. He lives with his dog, and has three children who live in Norway. They are the light of his life. If you want to learn more about him, visit https://www.linktr.ee/mancient.

It's So Much!

Dancing Like It's Studio 54!

by Anthony Hurney (Twitter HERE)

Today I was given the pleasure of being introduced to “Studio 54” which is the 'Retro Nūvō' new dancefloor hit by a funky and upcoming new band from Italy known as SōMuch.

Studio 54 is a bright and uplifting song that pays homage to the classic sound of 70s disco but with a fresh contemporary twist!

Instantly I was presented with a beat and funky Motown inspired bassline that couldn't help but get my body moving. I was then impressed by the steady progression of the uplifting vocals, intricate guitar riffs and brass / strings sections which really gives the song the edge to stand out on the dancefloor!

I pictured being at the disco where the music just makes me want to dance and boogie all night long! This song is sure to get everybody partying and would make a fantastic edition to any playlist for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

SōMuch are made up of:

Valentina Salvi - Vocals

Andrea Giovannini - Guitar

Francesco Carli - Drums

Roby Creazzo - Vocals

Andrea Belloni - Bass

During late 2017, Roby discovered an advert on social media for one-to-one drum lessons with Ralph Rolle who is the drummer for Nile Rodgers and Chic. Roby decided this would make the perfect Christmas gift for drummer Francesco, so in the December they both flew over to Manchester to meet with Ralph.

They built up a good friendship with Ralph and a couple of years later, decided to send him a couple of demos of the band. He was thrilled with what he heard and asked SōMuch if he could fly over to Italy to produce the song.

So, in early 2020 they all entered the studio and started work on the debut EP album. Ralph's valuable input really helped the band to shape their 'Retro Nūvō' sound and the first 2 singles were completed just as the pandemic hit.

Various lockdowns later, Ralph was finally able to return to Italy to finish producing the EP, which was then sent to New York for mixing and mastering.

The band's debut single "Studio 54" was released in November and was premiered by Chris Hawkins on BBC Radio 6 and has already featured on Craig Charles' BBC Radio 2 show and several other stations around the globe. It's a dance floor filler that brings listeners back to the iconic New York nightclub.

The band's mission is simple... To make music that spreads love and happiness to the world. They are set to release a new single in early 2022, followed by the full 5-track EP in the Spring.

Studio 54 is available now on all streaming platforms.

Website www.somuchband.com
Instagram: HERE
Facebook: HERE
Twitter: HERE

Review by Anthony Hurney of The Coherent Alliance and part of the Minds Behind the Music Team.

Web: thecoherentalliance.carrd.co

Music Review Time...

mAncient Reviews

Restless Mosaic (@restlessmosaic on Twitter) comes from Seattle, Washington. Location doesn't really matter - what matters is the deep curiosity evident in this statement: "Mosaics are intricate and beautiful and expressive, but they're stuck to where they are. If you were a sentient mosaic and everybody walked on you, wouldn't you be restless? And wouldn't you take in as much as you could when you broke free?

You get it. Welcome. There's much left to explore."

That, and the music, of course.

I was recommended to listen to "There's much left to Explore" and "Desert Scorpion".

The syncopation of the first tracks intro attracts. The 8-bit pad, slightly detuned, keeps it. And then, the dissonance increases, before the arpeggio resolves it. Complex and challenging, as a mosaic should be.

Just as you start to wonder - will nothing more happen? - the beat sets in. And then, there is only beat. That grows and builds. A little world music-ey solo instrument creates tension.

"Desert Scorpion" is another track from the same album, both available on Bandcamp (https://restlessmosaic.bandcamp.com)

This one gave me UK vibe. Olde English instruments mixed with electronic pads. Knights galloping to battle, a little piano that is offset by a French Horn (?), accordion and brass ...

This is not music for the masses, though it should be. It is music that dares, that doesn't care about genres.

Thank you for the journey!

Haakon Rian Mancient Ueland is the father of three children, and the brother of one dog. His music genre is called Earth House, as is his charity, church, and label. His track, Warriors, was part of #MBTM-s first charity albums.
https://www.mancient.one

The Coherent Alliance

Is There Hope for the Crestfallen?

Today we are taking a closer look at The Coherent Alliance and the debut album 'Singularity' that was released back in October 2020.

In particular we wanted to break down 2 songs from the album that stood out the most, and looking closely both provide a very important message indeed.

Hope for the Crestfallen

This song takes listeners on journey through space and time and follows the story from a group of individuals known as 'The Coherent Alliance'.

They exist within a fictional post-apocalyptic world where the human race no longer communicates by speech, but instead through the expression of dance, connection and emotion.

The music video captures this stunningly, where we can see scenes from a world once forgotten as the last survivors of the human race express their anger and disappointment through various forms of contemporary dance.

The music really takes listeners on a journey that is one of reminiscence, healing and emotion.

We asked Anthony about what inspired him to write 'Hope for the Crestfallen' and here is what he had to say...

"I wanted to capture a story within musical form and started experimenting with different layers of textures and sounds. I really wanted to put emotion into the song and highlight through the use of sound a message of unity and healing...

I was aiming to recreate the voice of the universe and one true source, and as a result 'Hope for the Crestfallen' was born."

The message here is clear, you don't know what you have got until it's gone and the time for action is now.

Take a listen to the song below... Find a quiet spot, focus on your breath and just allow the music to guide you.

SINGULARITY

The second song we looked at is the title release 'SINGULARITY' which aims to expose listeners to the bizarre world of industry, manufacturing, automation and how it is causing the planet to become desolate.

By watching the music video, the message behind the song is unmistakable. As we search for life on other planets throughout our solar system and universe, we are failing to recognise life here on earth and just like when a fuse has been lit, time is quickly running out.

Anthony told us "I was feeling angry about how we constantly consume and pump out toxic pollution into our atmosphere whilst the world around us is falling apart. As much as I advocate and show support for the discovery of other civilisations and connecting with them by exchanging knowledge, I truly believe we have much work to do here first. My message behind the song is simple, think about your actions before you witness everything burning up before you"

Check out 'SINGULARITY' below:

It appears that Anthony and The Coherent Alliance wrote the album as a warning to mankind and the real question is, what can you do as an individual before it's too late?

Support Minds Behind The Music HERE

Follow the work of the Born Free Foundation HERE

If you wish to find out more about The Coherent Alliance and his music, you can follow him on Twitter HERE 

Why Bother?

Musician, Coen Rhys, Explains Why...

“Through care, courtesy and creativity we can undo the harm, rebuild what we have lost and make a constant change for better”

As an artist who writes music to diaries, my thoughts of this mad yet beautiful world, when the #MBTM opportunity arose to raise awareness and hopefully help the world continue being beautiful (and ideally less mad)… I jumped at the chance.

The idea of collating multiple perspectives through words, music, honesty and heartfelt hope for a better place: with one goal in mind is a simple one. In a world of constant conflict, I also find it refreshing. #forgivewar #praisepeace

I am a strong believer of leaving something in a better state than you find it… through care, courtesy and creativity we can undo the harm, rebuild what we have lost and make a constant change for better! #littleoldyou #littleoldme

I am proud to be part of the #MBTMfamily… and look forward to what we can collectively achieve. Listen to the MBTM album here: ALBUM

“The simplest of things, the hardest to reach: It’s time to start now”- Coen Rhys

It's a Coherent Alliance!

Who Is The Coherent Alliance That Everybody is Talking About?

"The Coherent Alliance is a Dance, EBM and Future-Pop solo artist from Telford, England. The brains behind the project is Anthony Hurney who started his music career at the age of 13 when he was performing live classic trance sets on his school radio station during lunch breaks.

This is where he first learned of his favorite and most inspirational trance artists such as Chicane and Tiesto.

Moving forward, Anthony then discovered alternative artists such as Rammstein, VNV Nation and Assemblage 23.

We caught up with Anthony who told us "I remember growing up as a young teenager and loving the uplifting sound of classic trance... I found Chicane's track 'Saltwater' so inspirational and the epic and beautiful celtic vocals of Moya Brennan fitted so perfectly, that song always gave me goosebumps and took me to another place. As I became a little older and started college, a friend introduced me to a band called Rammstein which paved the way for my taste in heavy rock and industrial music. I was then introduced to an artist known as Assemblage 23 and the album 'Storm' back in 2004... I was absolutely blown away by Tom Shear's use of synths, melancholic and emotional vocals and upbeat drum tracks with a house vibe. I had never heard music like it before, and it helped me to discover that dance music can be dark but also uplifting. I found the songs 'You haven't earned it' and 'let the wind erase me' absolutely breath-taking".

After spending several years as the guitarist and lead vocalist in local rock and metal bands, Anthony decided it was time to launch The Coherent Alliance and released his debut album 'SINGULARITY' in October 2020.

Since then his music has appeared on his local BBC Music Introducing radio show several times and his sound has impressed fans and inspired fellow musicians alike.

Starting off as an instrumentalist, Anthony and The Coherent Alliance plan to release a new EP Album in 2022 called 'Nocturnal Restitution' which will feature full vocals.

Anthony said "Nocturnal Restitution signals a landmark in my music career to date, and will be bringing a late 90s / early 2000s EBM vibe with a more contemporary twist... Watch out for this one folks, I am producing something very special indeed".

Also featuring on Minds Behind The Music Album 2, The Coherent Alliance's new sound is set to hit the waves in 2022 where all angle's of his inspirations will be demonstrated.

You can check out his debut album 'SINGULARITY' on BandCamp HERE: https://coherent-alliance.bandcamp.com/album/singularity

Follow The Coherent Alliance on Twitter: https://twitter.com/COHERENT_MUSIC

She Got Vibes Coming!

The World of SchizoFranic!

SchizoFranic is an instrumentalist from Toledo Ohio, USA that utilizes multiple genres to create a surreal, ethereal sounding music that you can feel. SchizoFranic uses everyday life experiences from environmental issues, animal cruelty, hunger, gang violence, people we have lost, to homelessness in inner city living for inspiration to create music of empathy, music for change.

SchizoFranics upcoming Album, Vibes, will be released in early 2022. The Album is about Freedom, and through love and coming together we can change the world from environmental changes, how we treat animals, to how we treat each other. Its about oneness with our planet and all living beings in our world working together as one.

In conclusion, SchizoFranic started this journey to make music that everyone from all walks of life can feel. With hopes that people would start within themselves to make a change. To open their eye's to what is really going on in our world and to take a stand to make a change.

Find out more about SchizoFranic here https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

She's From Krypton

Track Review

KAL-ELLE JAGGER (@KalElleJagger on Twitter) comes from Argo City, Krypton. She has seen many sides of life - not all of them pleasant. 

I am an intuitive healer. Perhaps that was what so immediately made my ears go into “wow” mode when I first heard her song, Wild Horses, which is available in an original production by Syst3m Glitch (@Syst3mGlitch) and a remix by Droid Bishop (@DroidBishop) - the combination of a song which you can dance to, that also carries a flavour of longing and loss. 

I am at a loss to say which one is my favourite. The original is a lit production, with a combination of Synthwave and etheric, epic guitars, while the remix brings me right back to the eighties - in the hyper-modern universe of Droid Bishop. Which one do you prefer? 

Haakon also does a little production. Some which can be heard here: https://audius.co/mancient_one 

Beautiful - Track Review

Check Them Out!

Wintergreen’s latest album is called “Framed”. They come from a background of protest and anger - not surprisingly, hailing from Stockport, Manchester, which they call a “devil-forsaken satellite town”.

They have mellowed since the 90’s, and the track I want to talk about is “Beautiful”. It starts with heavily processed drums, then goes into the main theme: “You couldn’t be more beautiful, you couldn’t be more beautiful … to me”. 

The vocals are placed just right, and the build-up of the song creates a lush atmosphere. If you want to get on the Wintergreen train, connect with them on Twitter: @Wintergreenband - and sample a part of their world. Pleasure to meet you, Michael, Pete & Grant - I look forward to listening to more of your music! 

Haakon - AKA Hawk - wears multiple hats. He creates healing music.

@mancient_com on Twitter, is a healer and a priest with his own church. http://mancient.one is one of his websites.

Time Traveller - Album Review

New Album From Matt Jaffe

Matt Jaffe’s latest album is called Kintsugi. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is a Japanese expression for “using imperfections to create perfection” - such as taking a cracked pot and healing the breaks with gold.

This review centers on another one of his releases, though, which was the first I heard from the San Fransisco-based songwriter. It is called Time Traveller, and in it, you will hear both floating pads - Matt was discovered by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads at 16 - and guitars that lift you up from your chair and onto the dancefloor. For me - I am a monk with a foundation in Christianity, Buddhism and other traditions - the lyrics spoke. Loudly. 

The relaxed way Matt sings this song, with lines such as “Dinosaur to Fossil, skeleton to dust, do what you want to…”, made it a pleasure to review this track. Especially since it is offset with such a great production! 

Connect with Matt on Twitter - @MattJaffeMusic - and check out what the buzz is all about. You won’t regret it! 

Haakon Rian Mancient Ueland has a long name. And a beautiful dog. He creates healing music, and comes from Norway. You can read about him on his site, http://earthhouse.church

Get Karmaa

WHO is KARMAA?

We asked.... KARMAA is only a small part of who I am and was brought here to be. Music has been a part of who I am since I can remember. It's like breathing for me. Whether I'm listening to the radio, creating music myself, or even thinking of lyrics, music just stays in circulation. It's how I communicate my deepest thoughts, my every goal, and my biggest fears. I am a big advocate for mental health awareness, equality and paying it forward.

I intend to be a difference maker and a leader of change. I've never been one to stick to the rules and never intend to follow the crowd. I was raised to be who I am and to be proud of it. My ultimate goal is to inspire the uninspired and change lives by being able to relate to others and talk about "taboo" topics that others don't like to or won't acknowledge and speak on such as being queer, battling depression and anxiety, having had suicidal thoughts, etc.

Being part of the LGBTQ community I want those discovering themselves to know they're not alone. This has heavily influenced many of my songs and is a known fact about me. I want people to know that it's okay to be proud of who you are and love yourself. Show your pride and never be ashamed of it. Live and love your life, love yourself and others shamelessly, and embrace who you are. There's only one you, flaunt it.

Track 1: Do You See Me?
This song embodies my struggle with anxiety. It refers to lost opportunities, relationships, etc due to being so consumed in my own mind.

Track 2: You Don't Know
This song references my battles with depression and no matter how open I am about it people still don't know me, understand me or care.

Track 3: VICES
This song describes the constant battle in life of feeling like I'm in rock bottom and can't get out. I'm not enough. No matter what I do, the pain never lets up. I'm not the person my family wanted and I'm not where I hoped to be. Everyday feels like I'm slowly going deeper and deeper into the quick sand.

Track 4: work in progress
This is a favorite already and is the most relatable based on the lyrics. This song is a reminder that we are perfectly imperfect. We have flaws. Everyday is a reminder that we have an opportunity to be better than we were the day before. We're all DIY projects.

Track 5: I Got THIS
Is the perfect closer. This track is meant to inspire everyone to look in the mirror and tell yourself "I GOT THIS!" We make mistakes but it's not how many times we fall but how many times we get back up and keep going.

This project drops Jan 7th but here are some links!

Distrokid Pre-Save: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/karmaa/this-is-me

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1J6GFbFd6KeiPNzx44ngVj?si=FhsPfQHXS5mYE3ofTBvqCQ

Mindful Alternative Rock to Raise Awareness

CASSETTE Releases Passionate New Single

Imbuing Alternative and Rock genres with a unique and sensory musical outlook, up-and-coming musical collective, with a consciously driven and responsible musical identity and brand, CASSETTE is raising the most critical issue of today, using their rich and dynamic musical talents. 

Stressing upon the need for change within attitudes, activities, and behaviors on an individual as well as societal level, CASSETTE is rallying for the need for planetary change on the global level. Utilizing their musical platform for the greater good, the band’s new single, aptly titled “News Reports” empowers listeners to act consciously for the youth of today, leaders of tomorrow. The stirring single, which has Alternative and Rock undertones, is dominated by captivating vocals, hip hooks, and moving lyricism. Bound to spark a burning need to act responsibly within listeners, “News Reports” showcases all that the band has to offer and more. 

The single focuses strongly on the need to start looking after our planet and the cruciality of Media acting as a formidable pillar to raise awareness as well as spur action from society and affect people’s consciousness. The motivation for writing News Reports remains the collective’s honest and sincere concerns for the health of the earth, and the need to act today to ensure life for future generations, supporting youth who are calling out for change. 

“The belief that most people on the planet are willing to change and care about the earth for our future generation…is an influence. Music and the media can support and promote the issue of our planet’s health,” says the band regarding their new single.

Visit their YouTube channel here CASSETTE MUSIK - YouTube