Alex Grey, Burmese Refugees featured in Electronic Fusion Maestro David Starfire Benefit Album ‘Karuna’

Electronic Fusion Maestro David Starfire Releases Benefit Album ‘Karuna’

“David Starfire brings a unique perspective.” – Billboard
“His undeniable swagger of instrumentation between beats is exceptional.” – Huffington Post

karuna

In so many ways I feel David Starfire presents an accomplished success in Karuna; pushing boundaries of collaboration, organic texture, and conscious social responsibility.
First, in terms of talent-packed collaborations, it is full to the brim, featuring artists including Govinda, Alex Grey, HÄANA, Jamie Janover, William Close, Joaqopelli and a host of Burmese refugee musicians. This along with Starfires own talents makes the collection a multi-instrumental powerhouse offering a variety of cultural texture, blending the most modern and ancient of instruments with eastern and western scales. We are always inspired to hear conscious-driven spoken words, and it is notable that this is the first musical collaboration in which Alex Grey has contributed his voice: reading lines from his book Art Psalms (one of my personal favorites). Starfire brings all the elements together seamlessly with plenty of energy and bounce. Read on for Release Party Details in LA and Toronto and a link to purchase the album. All proceeds from Karuna will be donated directly to the Thai Freedom House – a non-profit organization located in Chiang Mai devoted to educating Burmese refugees through language, arts and acade mic programs.
— Robyn Marie Hill SeismicAwakening.com

You can catch several of these artists on our original mini-doc Vibes in a Bottle and catch David Starfire and hundreds more at Lightning in a Bottle this year – Tickets just went on sale so get them soon to save!

Los Angeles, CA – Recognized by BBC Radio as “One of the most brilliant world-fusion producers of our time,” Los Angeles-based electronic music producer David Starfire returns with his highly anticipated benefit album Karuna, out Tuesday, March 1, 2016 available on Bandcamp, iTunes, Beatport, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music and all digital music stores.

Karuna is David Starfire’s fifth album and features the first time visionary artist Alex Grey has allowed his voice to be used in a song in addition to collaborations with William Close and The Earth Harp, Govinda, and several other world-renowned artists. The album was also David’s first Kickstarter-funded charity focused release, which enabled him to become the premiere electronic artist to collaborate with Burmese musicians on an entire album while visiting refugee border zones in Northern Thailand during a time of political unrest in 2015. The album title translates to ‘Compassion’ from Sanskrit and its ethos lives up to the name with all the album’s proceeds going directly to the Thai Freedom House – a non-profit organization located in Chiang Mai devoted to educating Burmese refugees through language, arts and academic programs.

Karuna boasts a soundscape rich with multiple layers of contrast, from the integration of Eastern and Western scales, to the juxtaposition of native and modern instruments. Incorporating glitched violins, delayed xylophone, gamelan, homemade harps, buffalo horn flutes, and Burmese vocals, this album proudly displays the complexity and versatility of Burmese musicianship layered against the texture of booming basslines and seductive synths.

“The One” features Alex Grey, the legendary visionary artist and philosopher, who recites an excerpt from his book Art Psalms, alongside the shamanic flute of Joaqopelli. During his visit in the Burmese refugee town of Mae Sot, Starfire recorded with harp player and social activist Doo Plout, featured on the track “Tenaku” alongside composition from William Close and The Earth Harp Collective, world-renowned musician and installation artist who turns architecture into instruments. “Y’wa” features the voice of Chi Suwichan, a prominent Karen social activist and harp player who travels the globe promoting the cause of his people through music.

Karuna also features collaborations with Burmese stroh violinist Len Pong, vocalist Gonlao, and temple drummers from Wat Pa Pao and Wat Tung Salee in addition to electronic artist/violinist Govinda, violinist HÄANA, hammer dulcimer player Jamie Janover, vocalist Oriel Poole, and more as well as stunning cover art from esteemed digital painter Android Jones.

To commemorate the release of Karuna, David Starfire will descend on Los Angeles for an album release party at Santa Monica’s Zanzibar on Wednesday, March 2nd 2016. Hosted by The Luminous Movement, the evening features sonically salacious supporting sets from Rhythmstar, Imagika Om and Electric Dandelion. RSVP to David Starfire’s Los Angeles Karuna Album Release Party here.

Starfire will be devoting 2016 to touring in support of the album, including an album release party in Toronto on Friday, March 5th, as well as performances on the festival circuit, beginning with Tree Fort Festival and Lightning in a Bottle.

Karuna Tracklisting
1. Qilin (feat. Len Pong)
2. Osi (feat. HÄANA)
3. The One (feat. Alex Grey and Joaqopelli)
4. Khong (feat. Govinda and Jamie Janover)
5. Na Hearn (feat. Gonlao)
6. Tenaku (feat. William Close & Doo Plout)
7. Taphon (feat. Oriel Poole and Len Pong)
8. Y’wa (feat. Chi Suwichan & Len Pong)
9. The One (Instrumental)
10. Na Hearn (Instrumental)

About David Starfire
David Starfire’s library of 5 albums, 6 EP’s and dozens of remixes proudly displays the fusion of indigenous music with modern, electronic production methods, and an ethereal blend of bass-heavy beats expertly mixed with world melodies. Over the years, his performances have landed him in esteemed locations, from Coachella and Shambhala to the Pyramids of Giza. He has collaborated with a wide range of revered artists, from Ooah of Glitch Mob fame, Afrika Bambaataa, Natacha Atlas and more. His side projects include The Dub Kirtan All Stars with music producer FreQ Nasty and the other is Star-Culture with renowned visual artist VJ Culture.

Purchase ‘Karuna’ on Bandcamp | Listen to’ Karuna’ on Soundcloud

For more on David Starfire, head to his social media channels –
Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

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