Sounds from the Bardo, Volume II : Experience!

Psychedelic Sangha, the NYC-based collective of ‘misfit seekers,’ is back with their second immersive, packable psychedelic experience. This time, Scott Metzger, Jeff Hill, and Tony Leone provide aural accompaniment to Jessica Angima’s guided meditation and Bubba Ayoub’s visuals.

“We approached the music knowing that people would be meditating, so we wanted the music to be conducive to that,” Leone says. “We also hoped to lead the meditators on a sonic journey. The same way a dance band inspires its listener to dance, we wanted to invite our meditators to a “mind dance.”

The three musicians’ goal was:
• Keep the music to a whisper dynamically
• Keep the music constant throughout the meditation
• Keep the music moving rhythmically, maintaining a sense of forward motion

“What was great about performing in this context is that the audience was all meditating, ie, practicing stillness,” Leone adds. “The only sense being used was their sense of hearing. In a setting so quiet, and with an audience so quiet and NOT sitting and staring at us, it allowed us to really keep our ears and consciousness open to whatever was happening in the moment. It allowed for listening by all on a pretty deep level.”

This particular transmission was recorded live at one of Sangha’s in-person soundbaths on 11/10/20. Two improv tracks from the band’s soundcheck are included in this package.

“Although we’ve known each other many years and have played in different situations together, the soundcheck was the first time we had ever set up as a trio and just started playing free, reacting to whatever the other guys were laying down,” Leone says. “There is a certain openness and looseness to the soundchecks and we thought it was important to include them. Once the meditators were there, it brought more of a self-consciousness to the trio. Not necessarily a hindrance, but more of a consideration of the sonic space we were occupying, individually and as a group.”

All purchases of music presented by Psychedelic Sangha enables the NYC-based collective to continue to offer free psychedelic integration and harm reduction services to the public via their Gathering at Judson Memorial Church and online through their Global Gathering series.

Pre-order Sounds from the Bardo, Volume II here.