something something

Here's an improvisation of one of the tunes from my new album (Deliverance)
Performed by Pete Mills (Silvertortoise) https://www.facebook.com/silvertortoisemusic

In The End Piano Improvisation By Pete Mills

buy a copy at www.aroojaftab.bandcamp.com

Dark post-pop meets mystic muse, Arooj Aftab's Bird Under Water undulates and scintillates. A masterful expression of lyrical and acoustic soul tripped out through analog voltage and experimental digital filters.

credits
released March 9, 2015

Bird Under Water 
Written and Produced by Arooj Aftab

Jörn Bielfeldt - Drums/Percussion 
Mario Carrillo - Contra-Bass 
Bhrigu Sahni - Acoustic/Electric Guitar 
Magda Giannikou - Accordion on tracks 2, 3 and 4 
Sonny Singh - Trumpet on tracks 2 and 5 
Baqir Abbas - Bansuri on track 1 
Rakae Jamil - Sitar on track 3

Tracks 2, 3 and 5 co-written with Bhrigu Sahni 
Mixed and Mastered by Jeremy Loucas 
Engineered by Joshua Valleau and Alex Syner 
Album Art by Anum Awan and Yikun Liang

© Arooj Aftab 2015 All rights reserved

01 Man Kunto Maula



<a href="https://theartistunion.com/tracks/68e1fd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download for free on The Artist Union</a>

Free Download

Sacred Mountain

This is the master poet, Chances R Good, doin' his thing, sending love to water, the vital essence of life on Earth. This is from his epic, golden album, Earth Tones, which can be found @ www.chancesrgood.bandcamp.com  Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

Chances R Good ~Yanawana~ (a prayer for rain)

A next-level experiment in ecological electroswing, Radish Beets is a creative collaboration of re-wonkified tracks from Formidable Vegetable Sound System's debut album, Permaculture: A Rhymer's Manual remixed by some of the world's finest electronic producers.

Radish Beets

Download Album

The Edge (Spoonbill Remix)

Background Sound by Soulacybin 

Much of this prayer is inspired by Native American ancestral prayer.

Earth Prayer

Download

Possibly the first ever band to promote the joys of gardening, food and sustainability through dance music, West Australian ‘ecological edutainers’, Formidable Vegetable Sound System bring you their latest single, ‘You Are What You Eat’- an infectiously bouncy electroswing track all about... Dirt!

Featuring Michael Barker (ex John Butler Trio/Black Sorrows) on drums, Mal Webb on horns, Kylie Morrigan on strings, Charlie Mgee on ukulele & vocals and produced by award-winning Melbourne electronic producer, Spoonbill, 'You Are What You Eat' explores the never-ending connectedness of the food-chain in the band's unique style of 'biodynamic-organic ukulele-electroswing'.

Soon after the track was released, it was picked up and shared by none other than the UN, who used it to celebrate the closing of the 2015 International Year of Soils - the kind of thing that could only happen to this one-of-a-kind band that have toured the world for three years performing brass-soaked ukulele electroswing songs about plants, peak-oil and permaculture.

More info at: www.formidablevegetable.com.au

Grow Do It

You Are What You Eat - Single

Formidable Vegetable Sound System - You Are What You Eat (Radio Edit)

'Foreign Land' is a collaborative song, written and sung by Mongolian musician Yider (singer, Morin Khuur & ethnic flutes player), and produced by Chinese producer @jasonhou. 

Written in an orchestral style, the lower parts of the vocals are sung in the Khoomei throat-singing style, combined with contemporary mid-range styles. Conceptually, the song is about leaving one's homeland; voiced from the perspective of an elder telling his children who are about to embark on a journey to distant lands, with the message being that despite hardships of this new life, their perseverance to endure it will make life OK.

Phewa Dawn is an initiative in partnership with Skate Nepal to redesign and renovate Phewa Skatepark, the only functioning skate park in Nepal. Over 50 musicians have taken part in this project, collaborating with each other to create a variety of organic and/or tribal-influenced electronic music.

Learn more at: outtallectuals.com/release/outta028-phewa-dawn/

Phewa Dawn [OUTTA028]

Foreign Land

All Platforms

Yider x Jason Hou - Foreign Land

this mix is dedicated to my dear friend Innaya :)

this is very special mix for me, 2 main reasons :
- first and main reason is that i made it special for my dear friend who’s name is INNAYA and that's why i tried to select tracks that she will like
- and secondly i made this mix in Ableton (*)

# tracklist:
Man Of No Ego - K-Pax
Zymozis - Usual Miracle
Yggdrasil - Amazing Gnejs
Hypnagog - Reflections no.3
Hypnagog - Still Dreaming
Shulman - First Came The Stars
Shulman - Small Grey Creatures

image cover by Arzamas
http://arzamas.deviantart.com/art/SMS-83040559

Enjoy !

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) technical part
As you might now, i am “old” school DJ, i started mixing and scratching hiphop on vinyl, then after a break i started over again with DVS and controllers, for me real DJ MIX has to be “live” : recorder in one take with no editing.

Recently i started to learn music production and Ableton DAW software, and to practice this new tool i decided to make this mix “offline” as audio editing. Many DJs do this, and it was interesting for me to try. I am not confident i like this approach, however total control of timing and possibility to fix errors , overlay many samples are very interesting. It looks like it is possible to do perfect mixing. For now, I am not comfortable with beat matching / synchronizing in Ableton, so i just played tracks in original BPM.

As a result, this DJ MIX is very different from what i usually do, there is almost no FX, no LOOP, almost no EQ and no beat matching. I did very basic fade in / fade out, used High and Low pass filters and delays. I also didn’t work well enough on HARMONIC track selection.

That’s enough for description , now enjoy =)

[GAGARINMIX-42]

Gagarin Project - Innaya [GAGARINMIX-42]

My first Duduk recording at night in Arambol 
enjoy

Tikki Masala - Duduk At Night

Ryan Davis has been recording music since 2006.
He has produced for Manual Music, Bedrock, Proton, Areal, Archipel, BackHome, Wunderbar and many other labels. Recently he has released two EPs with Traum.   One can say without doubt, Ryan is a real artist and a tastemaker.
Ryan has released on many labels worldwide, not always on big labels… though that never was of prior importance to him, but it was his quality that has earned him an international audience and standing.
  Ryan always went the way which seemed natural to him and has released innovative melodic techno worldwide. But it has been also a battle with established DJ structures which led to the founding of his own label Back Home where he was able to feature new talents that shared his interest in the genre of melodic soulful music.
  His release in 2007 on Klang Gymnastik  the "Transformer EP" then directly put him on the map with a strong selling vinyl and lead to the "Zyrial Soundfood EP" in 2009 on the Dutch label Manual which can be considered his break through.
The track from the EP "Spicyal Sound" was played and supported by Miss Kittin and The Hacker, Boyz Noise. Ivan Smagghe licensed the track for his "Live At Robert Johnson Volume 3" compilation and Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore played "Spicyal Sound" before all of their gigs during their "Sound Of The Universe" tour. All this lead to gigs in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, London and Barcelona and to a very international standing.
  In 2010 another huge track evolved with "Zodiac". The track was charted and played by Dominik Eulberg as well as by Ellen Allien at Time Warp which consolidated his reputation as a brilliant composer.
  Remixes by Max Cooper for him as well as him remixing Max Cooper’s track "Enveloped" for Traum actually put him in contact with our label.
Two EP releases followed on Traum and it was the „Routes of Life EP“ (Traum V133) that created an even bigger following and lead to the idea of finally recording this album.
The album consists out of 11 never released tracks that highlight his talent to keep away from preset formulas and turn toward musical compositions. 

Support!

Ryan Davis - Enchanted Garden//Particles of Bliss - Traum

Permaculture principle 1: Observe and Interact - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The beginning of the design process.
-------

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Permaculture: A Rhymer's Manual

Download from Bandcamp

Look Around

Permaculture principle 2: Catch and Store energy - make hay while the sun shines ...and don't forget to pass it round!
------------

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Energy

Permaculture principle 3: Obtain a Yield - You can't run on an empty tank. Don't forget to look after yourself as well as your friends and the planet!

------

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Yield

Permaculture principle 4: Apply Self-regulation and Accept Feedback - Learn from mistakes. Start listening to what the planet is telling us. We're getting more feedback than ever and it's time to wake up to it's limits!
-----

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Limits

Permaculture principle 5: Use and value Renewable Resources and Services - Ride you bike! Sit under a tree to stay cool! Employ a chicken to cultivate your garden! Generate your own methane for gas power! Walk more! "Colonel Ominous Forecast" has more...
----

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Permaculture principle 6: Produce no Waste - In nature, there is no such thing as waste, only stuff in the wrong place! Heed this mantra and become a master of nutrient cycling!

-----

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

No Such Thing as Waste

Permaculture principle 7: Design from Patterns to Details - Can't see the forest for the trees? Look to the bigger picture instead!
-----

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Patterns

Permaculture principle 8: Integrate rather than Segregate - Work in cooperation rather than competition. Hook up with someone. Befriend your neighbours. Companion plant. Get involved in the community!
-----

"Charlie is spearheading a new and exciting form of musical activism. He is becoming one of the most important voices in a global cultural movement 
that began right here in Australia." 
- Harry Angus, The Cat Empire 

Permaculture: A Rhymer’s Manual from Western Australia's Formidable Vegetable is the first of its kind. An album of ethical, ecological edu-tainment designed to spread the word of sustainability without making you want to tie-dye your shirt or go out and buy a djembe.
Permaculture is basically a way to get ourselves out of habits of self-destruction and into one of abundance and prosperity.
After recognising a desperate need for people to stop talking about sustainability and start getting off their asses, WA permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee grabbed his ukulele and came up with 12 songs covering each of the principles of permaculture from David Holmgren’s book, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. 

With an all-star cast of Australian musicians including Mal Webb, Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange/Juila Stone), Michael Boase (Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento), Loren, Freya Hanly, prodigious 19-year old Harry Jakamarra from Broome on banjo and WA’s own 10 piece live electro-swing band Ensemble Formidable, the album is filled to the brim with tracks of truly grooveworthy proportions with styles ranging from ‘energy-descent electro-swing’ and ‘climate-change reggae’ to ‘peak-oil polka’.

In just three short months, Charlie Mgee has already busted out live shows of permaculture songs at internationally acclaimed festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Eclipse 2012 (Cairns), Folk, Rhythm & Life and Rainbow Serpent (VIC) and has shared the stage with class-acts such as Nicky Bomba’s Butamento, Spoonbill and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

After a massive turnout to a follow-up permaculture workshop resulting from an especially cranking gig at Eclipse 2012 Festival, Charlie reflects on his ultimate goal for the project: 

“Right now, music is one of the most effective tools we have to communicate ideas on a mass scale and I think I’m really just starting to recognize the power that that can have with regards to introducing people to ideas on how to live more sustainably. I’ve had people that I wouldn’t have thought would be into sustainability in a million years come up to me going: “Man, this sounds awesome! I’m gonna check out this permaculture stuff!” It’s really reaffirming for what I’ve set out to do.”

With included info on the permaculture principles covered as well as chord charts and lyrics to learn the songs on ukulele, the album has been designed to achieve everything from permaculture teaching resource to ukulele lesson to general morning dance routine.

In a world gone hectic, now really is the time to start growing abundance everywhere, starting at the front door. While we’re at it, you might as well Lettuce Turnip the Beet!  (...that would be Rad-ish.)

Get Together

Brym Al Mar [single]
(inspired by a trad. Norwegian folk ballad "Bendik og Årolilja")
© Häana 2014

WATCH THE VIDEO: http://bit.ly/1vp2Lrh

by Häana (BMI)  
produced by Häana; MING, Hood Famous Music, NYC
additional production by Emch Subatomic, Ben Encanti 
mixed by Dave Sharma, Sharmaji Studios, Brooklyn, NY
violin, Icelandic jaw harp (gyðingaharpa), shakers by Hannah Thiem, recorded by Josh Giunta, Mercy Sound, NYC
mastered by Shane the Cutter, Finyl Tweek Studios, London, UK

"It's a slow-burn number that builds cautiously until its wires begin to fray." - Vanyaland


"Brym Al Mar" is a gem, a key to the kingdom of freedom. This piece clearly demonstrates the lyrical nature of life and inspires dancers to access that place in their own being. When I dance to this song, I am moved by the deep bass calling to my hips and heart. My hands are lifted by the ecstatic vibrations of violin. I throw myself into the empty space. The hook unfolds and the beat drops me into its abyss of freedom. Through this dance I access what is under the surface of my skin, peeling back layer after layer. I dare you to not move to this! 
- Lucia Horan, 5Rhythms® Dance Instructor

“Brym al Mar” is like a sentient landscape - a living and breathing portal to elemental scenes of water, earth, and air. Häana's debut is a cinematic journey, which wanders through time and space as if sleepwalking. It was a privilege to work with an inspiring artist such as Häana on this track, and to see her concepts and visions come to life in this form. - Ben Encanti, producer

Brym Al Mar

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Cybercheese13