Otherlands Webpage Assets — caseydriessen

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Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

By trains, by bus, and by foot, I arrived to the small village of Miyama in the countryside near Kyoto, Japan. I spent the day wandering through streets of traditional thatch-roofed homes and the evening making music with Yukky (voice) and Taro (mandolin).

Bluegrass in Japan • with Taro Inoue

Bluegrass in Japan • with Taro Inoue

After eight years apart, I reconnected with Japanese mandolinist Taro Inoue. He had since moved from Tokyo out to a little cabin in the countryside of Kyoto. By train, by bus, and by foot, I paid him a visit and we spent the day playing Bluegrass.

OTHERLANDS: India [Recap]

OTHERLANDS: India [Recap]

Our fourth stop on this year of Otherlands travels brought us to India. Our first time in this amazing country, we would spend eight weeks visiting Kolkata (and surrounding), Bengaluru, Mysuru, Goa, and Chennai. I hope you enjoy the collaborations, music, photos, and reflections.

Schooled in Rhythm • "Garfield's Blackberry" • with Bangalore Amrit

Schooled in Rhythm • "Garfield's Blackberry" • with Bangalore Amrit

Amrit Khanjira, master of the khanjira, an Indian percussion instrument from the Carnatic (South Indian Classical) tradition gave me a lot to think about, and practice. I came away with great new rhythmic concepts, and we put the American old-time tune “Garfield’s Blackberry” through the paces…reinterpreting in 5 different time signatures.

“Baaro Saadhanakerige” • with Raghu Dixit

“Baaro Saadhanakerige” • with Raghu Dixit

I met and immediately locked with the amazingly powerful and soulful singer Raghu Dixit in Bengaluru, India. We played a piece of poetry by Dr. Da. Ra. Bendre that he had set to music — a traveling song of of leaving your home to search for what may be better, only to return to your home and find that it has been the true place for you all along.

Baul Jam Session, Home of Rina & Dibakar Das Baul

Baul Jam Session, Home of Rina & Dibakar Das Baul

A couple days before leaving Kolkata, I took a very special trip to the village of Paruldanga, just outside Shantiniketan, to spend a day and a night at the lovely home of revered Baul musicians Rina & Dibakar Das Baul. They invited family and friends to share an evening of music with me.

Streets of Kolkata • "Manyota dao Jibonke" with Arko Mukhaerjee

Streets of Kolkata • "Manyota dao Jibonke" with Arko Mukhaerjee

Introduced by a friend of a friend, Arko Mukhaerjee and I would hang and make music together multiple times during my days in Kolkata, India. This video is an original song of his, speaking about how respect for life can get you to life’s next levels.