Sardinian National Anthem • with Elena Ledda & Mauro Palmas

Sardinian National Anthem • with Elena Ledda & Mauro Palmas

My first trip to Italy kicked off on the island of Sardinia where I met Elena Ledda and Mauro Palmas, two of the most respected musicians in traditional Sardinian music.

Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Immediately after landing in Genoa, Italy, I boarded a ferry and headed south to the island of Sardinia. My home base would be the small town of Pula, not far outside the capital of Cagliari. I ventured into the city for my first collaboration with soprano Elena Ledda and mandola player Mauro Palmas.

Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

While in the Czech Republic a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of musicians from different cultures within the Carpathian Mountains (Valach from the Czech side and Hutsul from the Ukrainian) came together to play a Hutsul warrior song for Ukraine.

Kaustinen area, Finland (Spring)

 

As we entered our second month of coronavirus lockdown near Kaustinen, Finland, the days became brighter and signs of spring were around. Hikes continued, folks started to cautiously meet and make music, and I started to take the odd country road just to see where it may lead.

 

Kaustinen area, Finland (Snow)

 

We jumped a continent and a few climates when departing India to Finland in March 2020. Two days later, the borders closed due to coronavirus and we would call a cozy cabin in Kaustinen our home for the next two months. For the first half, winter was winding down, but not before experiencing our first snows in 5 years. The world was shutting down around us, but thankfully we could still get out and hike.

 

Kamakura, Japan

Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Miyama; Japan

Kyoto, Japan

 

After spending two months in India, we set our sights on Japan. We landed in Osaka and immediately jumped on a train to Kyoto where we would spend the next two weeks. This album is a collection of daily life scenes, meanderings, and things that catch my eye.