Show Notes
HIGHLIGHTS
Introduction to Amani Friend and His Musical Journey (00:00:00 00:02:17)
- Damian Chaparro welcomes Amani Friend to the Sauna Sessions, reminiscing about their long-standing friendship since childhood.
- Amani reflects on the depth of personal stories and experiences that remain undiscovered even in lifelong friendships.
- The conversation begins with Amani sharing his earliest memories related to music, influenced by his musician father and a house filled with musical instruments.
- Amani's journey into music began with piano lessons at age four, leading to participation in youth ensembles and early experimentation with digital music-making.
Musical Evolution and Influences (00:02:17 00:05:07)
- Amani discusses his father's influence and his early fascination with a sequencer, marking the beginning of his interest in programming music.
- He recounts his transition from reggae music, which he introduced to Damian, to developing a unique sound influenced by world music.
- Amani's exposure to diverse musical cultures during travels, including trips to South America and Jamaica, shaped his eclectic musical style.
- He highlights the impact of global music influences like East Indian music and the didgeridoo, which contributed to his distinct sound.
The Journey into Performance and Global Recognition (00:05:07 00:10:44)
- Amani shares his initial experiences with live performances at raves in the '90s and the challenges of setting up live PA systems.
- He describes his shift towards studio work and scoring music for yoga DVDs, which later evolved into the Desert Dwellers project.
- The turning point in his performance career came in 2012 with international gigs in Australia and Egypt, marking significant milestones.
- Amani reflects on the global reach of his music and the organic spread of his albums, particularly in the context of ceremonies and meditation practices.
Psychedelics, Music, and Personal Growth (00:10:44 00:17:15)
- The conversation shifts to Amani's relationship with psychedelics, highlighting their formative impact on his consciousness and career.
- Amani discusses the importance of intention, set and setting, and integration in psychedelic experiences, acknowledging past reckless explorations.
Damian and Amani agree on the value of psychedelics in personal growth, while emphasizing the need for responsible use and guidance. - Amani shares his current preference for embodied practices like breathwork and hot-cold therapy, while still recognizing the transformative power of psychedelics.
Creative Collaborations and Future Endeavors (00:17:15 00:31:33)
- Amani talks about recent collaborations, including work with Hanaxpacha and Porangui, and the development of the Kuya Sessions for psychedelic therapy.
- He explains the intentional design of music for ketamine-assisted therapy, focusing on creating a hero's journey through sound.
- The discussion touches on the influence of sound frequencies and scales on emotions and experiences, a key aspect of Amani's music-making process.
- Amani expresses interest in exploring Buddhist mantra music and continuing to create purpose-driven music for wellness and healing.
- The episode concludes with Amani sharing where listeners can find his music and the importance of supporting artists through platforms like Bandcamp.
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