Hi Friends,
Up until last week, myself and our non-profit, Jaya Kula, used Spotify for our music streaming needs.
I’ve been looking for an alternative because Spotify pays one of the lowest rates of compensation to artists, and I learned that Tidal pays one of the highest.
Last month, the news broke that Spotify donated 150k to the Trump inauguration fund and hosted Trump’s inauguration brunch.
On the other hand, Block, Tidal’s parent company, has donated tens of millions to Black Lives Matter and other racial equality, indigenous rights, social impact, and solar power initiatives both in the U.S. and internationally.
And. . . Tidal has higher fidelity streaming music. What are you waiting for?
Movin’ on over
Now that myself and Jaya Kula have made the move to Tidal, I want to share some of my favorite artists. Enjoy!
with infinite love,
Shambhavi
Pandit Pran Nath
Pandit Pran Nath was an Indian classical singer in the Kirana gharana style and a master tanpura player. Despite being somewhat of a legend, he exemplified the heart of discipleship.
Pandit Pran Nath spent time teaching in Portland, Oregon and the Bay Area. He bequeathed us a group of wonderfully-trained contemporary musicians and composers.
Watch this inspiring documentary about Pran Nath’s life
Bang on a Can Allstars
A contemporary music sextet or quintet depending on the year. They created a gorgeous acoustic version of Brian Eno’s Music for Airports, one of my all-time favorite compositions.
Cheb i Sabbah
Cheb i Sabbah was a composer, a convener of musicians from around the world, a creator of musical and theatrical “happenings,” and a DJ. His collage-like approach to composition combined Pan-Asian, Arabian, and African instruments and sounds.
Cheb i Sabbah was born in Algeria and called both Paris and the San Francisco Bay Area home. I lived in the Bay Area when he was staging his weekly rave-ish events. But I never went because I couldn’t bring myself to stay up that late! My bad.
Abel Selaocoe
South African cellist, composer, songwriter, and genre-defying phenom will have you jumping out of your seat and maybe your skin!
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes
Yasuaki Shimizu is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer who collaborates with a wide range of contemporary musicians. I especially like the album Pentatonica which many of you have heard me play before satsang.
Kitka & Laboratorium Pieśni
These are a couple of beloved all-female, a cappella groups that offer haunting, traditional music.
Kitka has been around for decades with a changing roster of singers and traditional tunes from Russia, the Baltics, and Eastern Europe. Their music is lush and multi-layered with magical harmonies. Kitka is based in Oakland, California.
Laboratorium Pieśni hails from Poland. They’re a feisty bunch who drum and deliver high-octane, righteous female energy along with pagan vibes.
Not quite ready to fire up a paid subscription, but want to show your appreciation?
Please join Shambhavi and the Jaya Kula community for satsang & kirtan every Sunday at 3:00pm Pacific. Come in person to 1215 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR, or join Jaya Kula’s newsletter on Substack to get the Zoom link for satsang. You can also listen to my podcast—Satsang with Shambhavi—wherever podcasts are found.
I finally got an account today. Making the switch.
Moving n big thanks…have Spotify but it never felt pure!