Interview by Shea Coco

Photograph by Shea Coco

Heart of Art #FeatureFridays with artist Enzo Ozne

Audio Editor: Genevive Munroe

Feature Fridays: Enzo Ozne Interview

What you are hearing is a small group Daimoku chant session. Here, the group is repeatedly reciting the syllables Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the way for individuals to connect with their inner nature and create a heightened state of awareness in which they see their own lives as directly connected with the universe as a whole. It is up to the individual and the group to decide how long they will continue chanting these syllables. It can last for as little as a couple of minutes or as long as multiple hours on end. Typically, the group does not agree upfront on a specific length of time to continue the chant, but instead keeps going until they mutually decide
to move on.

Communal chant creates interesting and beautiful harmonies with a distinct musical quality, and the acoustics of the room have a profound effect on the overall sound. As you may be able to hear in this recording, some members are in unison with each other, while others are harmonizing at varying intervals; some people chant louder and some softer; some choose to maintain an even pitch, timbre, and volume, while others change the sound of their voices throughout the session. And, it is perfectly acceptable for a person to take breaks every now and then to drink water or and catch his or her breath. It is entirely up to the individual; there is no one correct way for your voice to sound while chanting. However, the group comes to a rhythmic unison, as this is the way for them to stay on track and connect with one another; making sure that everyone is saying the same syllable at the same time. Overall, the sound of an individual’s chanting voice is a direct reflection of what feels suitable him or her at that moment in time. 

Audio Editor: Genevive Munroe

#FeatureFridays Chants Daimoku By LIlia

#MusicMondays Enlightening interview with virtuoso guitarist and multi instumentalist singer songwriter Naia Izumi. 

Interview by Jacinda Quintanar of Heart of Art

Photograph by Genevieve Munroe

Intro/Outro: “Done” by Naia Izumi

Heart of Art #MusicMondays feature artist Naia Izumi

Music Mondays: Naia Izumi Interview

Interview by Rara Von D 

Photograph by  R.J for Omniklix

Intro/Outro: “Share Your Loving” by Carlie Mari

Heart of Art #MusicMondays feature artist Carlie Mari

Music Mondays: Carlie Mari

Self-taught Visual and Performance Artist Jesua Bones discusses the birth of his identity, inspirations, and life game-changers with Heart of Gallery.

 Interview by Miss Shea Coco

Feature Fridays: Jesua Bones

LA-based pop rock band WASI discuss their beginnings in the LA scene and more with Heart of Art's Tina Chen.

Audio Editor: Genevive Munroe

WASI Interview - #MusicMondays

What you are hearing now is an excellent drum solo by musician, teacher, and
published author Tonya Lee Jaynes. She has been playing drum set and percussion for
over 35 years and has created her own instruction method called Drum Phonics, which
teaches the drum set by assigning syllables each drum head and words and phrases to
denote rhythms. In this solo performance, she goes through a wide range of dynamics
and textures, from soft and simple to loud and intricate. She has a way of making the
drum set speak and sing, implying melodies and phrases on an instrument that is
generally perceived as purely rhythmic and non-melodic. Watching her play the drum
set can be very uplifting, because with all the trauma this woman has experienced,
anyone watching her play can tell right away that percussion provides an emotional
sanctuary that separates her from the pain of hardship and brings her into her rightful
identity— musician, teacher, and inspiration. 

Women Warrior Wednesdays: Tonya Lee Jaynes on Drums

Hello everyone! My name is Bee and I will BEE taking over Heart of Art’s Social Media ever Tuesday for #transformationtuesday! I’m inviting you all to join me in my journey of transformation. This is an intimate account of coming into my own skin. I will give you weekly updates on everything from physical and emotional changes, to my fears, anxieties, and victories. Often times, we reduce trans folks to their bodies and “the surgeries” they get, and all though those things are important to some trans folks, that is only a fraction of our journeys with our genders. We also forget that aside from being trans, we can also be, artists, cooks, dancers, actors, and other identities that we hold dear to our heart and shape who we are. This project is to humanize trans folks and shed light into the complexity, the beauty, the depth and breadth of our lives.

BEE INTRODUCTION #TRANSFORMATIONTUESDAY

By Myriad Slits (Modpods)

Got to interview Drew Arriola Sands and Jorge Reveles of TrapGirl over pizza in K-town. I met Drew at Heart of Art gallery for a ModPods show a while back. We became friends when Drew came over one day so that I could take pictures. We found ourselves geeking out over Mama Cass & Janis Joplin while En Vogue, Dolly Parton & Tina Marie played in the background. TrapGirl is a band I absolutely adore, no bullshit. TrapGirl kicks my face off & I love it!

Audio Editor: Genevive Munroe

Music Mondays: Trap Girl

Costumer, Photographer, and "Super Feminist" Scarlet Rose talks about cosplaying, her newest creation "Fem Kylo Ren", and the importance of a strong female presence in the movie franchise Star Wars. 
Interview by Sophia Anita Reyes of the band NEW EViL.

Audio Editor: Genevive Munroe

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