Axel Mundi: Journal
New album: Cloud Of Light - May 9, 2010
I have reached a defining moment with the recording of this new music. It is my most personal work, at the same time being from somewhere "out there".
Debut of Axel Mundi Press - April 5, 2010
I have published a book on the art of my departed partner, Peggy Nomura. It is called Spirit House On Pilgrimage, and it is for sale at Amazon.com.
Please check it out.
Please check it out.
Childhood Ends! - March 14, 2010
On an album, that is. The new CD Childhood's End is out now. Nine new songs, two featuring poems written about 25 years ago, when I was being a poet in Salt Lake City. This album continues my trend toward stripped down (for me!) psych-rock. Tips of the hat to Ozzy, Fripp, and a few of the others. Get it now, before you become too grown up. Or get it because you are grown up.
Julius/Axel collaboration - February 9, 2010
I'm pleased to present a new video with light artist Julius Brown (see Links page). We've combined one of my songs with one of his streaming visual montages. This is the first new collaboration since we did live shows in Seattle in the 90's. See Videos page.
Psychedelic Metamorphosis! - January 2, 2010
Another new album! Well, that is what we are about here at AMM (Pierre and I and our creative team). This one is kind of like a back story to one of my favorite novelettes by one of my favorite writers. It is called One night in the life of Gregor S. All the tracks are short (3-5 minutes) and each one portrays a dream. Another cover: Dylan's St Augustine. And a website-only bonus: a booklet containing a short story version of the album. This is a great one.
Ladakh Highway - December 12, 2009
The new album is kind of a road movie. It seems every song has a road, street, or trail in it. I am doing more singing lately, and more lyric writing for something to sing. There is another cover song, too--"White Bird", the old It's A Beautiful Day number--but done much differently than the original. I hope David Laflamme approves.
By the way, please visit my page on Jamendo.com, and write a review if you feel inspired. (See links page.)
By the way, please visit my page on Jamendo.com, and write a review if you feel inspired. (See links page.)
Northwest Passage - November 9, 2009
Northwest Passage is released on the website today. This album starts out with a very different piece, "Bidi-bidi", which was born while driving onto the ferry and hearing hip-hop coming from the car next to me. The title cut is over 25 minutes, and I am calling it a symphony. There is a cover of one of my favorite's from the psychedelic 60s, "Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers. And a piece examining my mystical experience at Chichen Itza in 1986.
The Chemical Marriage - September 23, 2009
The new album is about alchemy--the ancient science of changing coarse materials into precious metals, and the occult guide to elevating the soul. My work is a process of changing basic sound into psychedelic (mind-elevating) music. The second half of the album depicts a seeker's transformation from alchemical scientist to initiated shaman.
Axel's Gita opus is here - July 18, 2009
I have released my album Bhagavad Symphony for sale on the website. The Bhagavad Gita is the bedrock of my personal path and I decided to do an album inspired by it. I took some of the key passages that I think sum up the message and worked them into lyric form for several of the songs. The album is long--over 60 minutes--and features the Axel Mundi Horn Section as well as some further forays into psychedelic sound.
New album! Waveform - June 8, 2009
Waveform is here. I am breaking through into new territory with this music. The sound is becoming more 'close to the gut'. Some of it is downright hallucinatory, or perhaps the word should be revelatory. Some is quite commercial (ha!). I even brought in the Axel Mundi Horn Section for one track.
New album! Variations On A Drone - March 30, 2009
Starting with a simulated bagpipe drone, this music takes an old dirge far into spaces both inner and outer. Each song uses the same bagpipe drone but each time altered into something weirder than the last. Each piece draws inspiration not only from the grace in question, but also from a particular school of psychedelia or a musical hero of mine. All this and singing, too.
New album: Gnosis - January 5, 2009
The new record is a bit more introspective, with more touches of jazz-rock fusion and even classical. Even so, the psychedelic crusade continues, the mind-expanding goes "Further", as we discreetly observe the inner journey of the seeker we've been with for the last two albums.
Dick Elliott, friend - December 4, 2008
Richard C. Elliott, artist and co-owner of Dick & Jane's Spot in Ellensburg, Washington, died November 19. Peggy and I met Dick and his wife, the artist Jane Orleman, one day in--was it?--1986. We were stopping in Ellensburg for gas on the way to somewhere else, when Peggy spotted some reflector-covered bicycle wheels on poles and spinning in the breeze, a block or so off the main drag. "Go around the block," she said. "I have to see what that is." We spent about an hour walking around the house on the corner of 1st and Pearl, Peggy taking pictures until she ran out of film and we went, got more film, and came back. Presently, Jane came out of the house to where we were standing by the guestbook alcove and said, "When someone spends this much time looking, we invite them in." We were priveleged to see the inner art yards and became their friends. We visited them whenever we were going east from Seattle. Then, while studying music theory in Seattle, I decided to write a piece in thanks for my personal experiences at their place. I recruited some music students from the local university and Dick and Jane had a party for me to perform the piece at their house.
Dick Elliott always encouraged me in my art. He and Jane were good to Peggy and me, and I have some of each of their art in my house--as now, they have a little of each of ours in theirs. I will miss seeing Dick when I go to the Spot.
Dick Elliott always encouraged me in my art. He and Jane were good to Peggy and me, and I have some of each of their art in my house--as now, they have a little of each of ours in theirs. I will miss seeing Dick when I go to the Spot.
Camp Meeting released - November 1, 2008
The new CD is available now. This "concept" album takes a look at Brother Axel's religious past, present, and future. It continues the psychedelic voyage begun with Kali & Shiva and leads directly towards the last in the trilogy, Gnosis, which is in the works now.
Dick & Jane's Spot - October 20, 2008
While awaiting the cover art for Camp Meeting and in the midst of work on a new album project, I took time to record and produce a new version of my 1989 composition, Dick & Jane's Spot, which was written as a gift to my friends the artists from Ellensburg and their art house, and only performed once, there at their home in 1989. (See "Site exchange" page for their website.) This 14-minute piece will be available as a short CD here at AxelMundi.com exclusively, and at a special price. I am pleased to have a definitive edition of this chamber music piece to give to Dick and Jane.
Camp Meeting - September 1, 2008
My next album deals with everyone's favorite subject (no, not that one): religion. More specifically, the Church in America. Great topic for rock music, eh? The recording is in the final stages of mixing. As usual, I think it is my best work. But then, "we will sell no wine before its time". (Don't ask me; ask Gallo.)
The quiet side of Axel - August 21, 2008
The new Music For Yoga is out. It may be the only thing I do that I don't mind calling background music! But I love it.
We release old DFW material - August 21, 2008
All you Diamond Fist Werny fans will want to look at the new album we've just released of early songs by the band. Taken mostly from demo tapes, these tracks show the young DFW developing the style that made them so popular in the Seattle club scene despite their non-Grunge attitude.
Two new albums out - June 28, 2008
Kali And Shiva Give A Party and On, Babylon are both ready. These albums will define psychedelic. Run don't walk to the For Sale page! (And thanks for your support of independent music.)
Album Update - June 23, 2008
Well, all you fans out there, I've decided to change my approach to the On, Babylon album. I am adding a "side 2" with a single longer piece so as to make the CD more of a full-length effort. This added number has a strong nod to my heroes Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, not to mention Kraftwerk, who I just mentioned.
Hey, if you haven't bought anything yet, or if you have, you must hear this album, and Kali And Shiva Give A Party as well.
Hey, if you haven't bought anything yet, or if you have, you must hear this album, and Kali And Shiva Give A Party as well.
On, Babylon album coming - June 9, 2008
I am doing a short album of strange songs derived from the Babylon Theatre archives. It will have a special price, but the songs are priceless! Guest vocalists from beyond the fringe (or the pale even).
Downloads available! - June 9, 2008
Poems and Escalator are now on iTunes and other digital services.
A new album is almost ready. - May 28, 2008
It's called Kali & Shiva Give A Party. The recording is done, the package is in the works.
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New Outlet: IndieRhythm.com - May 26, 2008
We have a new promoter: IndieRhythm. Please investigate their site. They are selling In Through The Down Escalator now.
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