Seven fellow musicians collated by Roman Astra step onto a Magic Carpet to take their audience on a ride around the globe. Matthew Fargher (ukulele, violin, vocals), Santhanam Krishnan (tabla), Nik Stolp (bass), Mwase Malani (perc), Sandesh Muzo (guitar) and Lynne Griffiths (harp, flute) join Roman Astra (vox, sitar) onto a loosely planned musical journey which unavoidably ends up wherever the tunes take them. A safe return was accomplished though.
Originating from Tasmania, South India, Malawi, Nepal, and Austria the collaborators combine their individual musical languages to create a style of their own.
PYRAMID : Featuring Lynne Griffiths on American Indian flute, this piece aims to embrace the traditional and spiritual significance of this instrument. Originally hand crafted by the male to play his courting tune to the chosen female. Once the deed is done and the two are a couple, the lady burns the flute. Makes sense, doesn't it :-)
FEVER
POTTERY ROAD: Named after Lynne's street. Sometimes it's hard to find a suitable name for a tune. However it was a lazy sunny afternoon and the mood inspired the piece.
CALL OF THE MOUNTAIN: Nik created the riff and feel for this piece with his beloved 5-string bass. Why he called it 'mountain' we don't know :-)
SANDESH'S TUNE: Translating his upbringing with Nepalese traditional music onto guitar, Sandesh created a fusion tune reminiscent of 'Shakti's' embrace of East & West.
...and FINAL our present to our audience. Plucked from the Ether there and then, it aims to give back to the listeners what we got from them and what made it a great evening. Hats off Sandesh to starting of our last journey of the night.
Nik Stolp, Mwase Malani and Sandesh Muzo
Matthew Fargher and Roman Astra
Santhanam Krishnan and Nik Stolp