May 2007
New Album!
Now you may wish to take a moment and read all about the new album, Blasts of Holy Birth. Or better yet, stream the entire record from La Société Expéditionnaire. The Golden Flower has opened, it is the light. What color is the light? It may only be a symbol, a metaphor. If this makes sense, perhaps it is for you. To us, it is the true energy of translucent being and it is in full bloom. I trust that these, and all of the words posted over the past months have painted a picture of what has been going on with the process and delivery of this album. Eve has posted some words regarding our music-making here. I have posted a response to concept of music as a deeply personal and coveted acquisition here. Get it? We do. And we want you to get it too!
many blessings,
L.Rogai
Delaware Water Gap, PA
May 14, 2007
.................................................................................................
April 2007
The Golden Flower is opening...
If, when there is quiet, the spirit has continuously and uninterruptedly a sense of great gaiety as if intoxicated or freshly bathed, it is a sign that the Light principle in the whole body is harmonious; then the Golden Flower begins to bud.
When, furthermore, all openings are quiet, and the silver moon stands in the middle of Heaven, and one has the feeling that the great earth is a world of light and brilliance, that is a sign that the body of the heart opens itself to clarity. It is a sign that the Golden Flower is opening...
Blasts of Holy Birth opens with a track called "Secret of the Golden Flower". You may wish to aquire your own copy of this album. See the discography page for release info and tracklisting.
more soon...
.................................................................................................
January 2007
Listen to a sneak preview track from Blasts of Holy Birth at the La Société Expéditionnaire website...enjoy.
..................................................................................................
December 2006
On the surface, the forest is quiet. Snowfall insulates the sound, lulls branches to bend. They lie heavy from a load, which in turn, keeps them resilient and strong. Hidden within bent boughs and dens, some creatures are in a deep sleep, while others keep busy preparing for the springtime.
Winter in Pennsylvania is providing a perfect opportunity to keep the "homefires burning", as they say. There are plenty of flames to tend to, in addition to many basic life tasks. Taking part in other musical projects is most enjoyable....some will come to life soon, and for now a time of hibernation, reflection, collaboration...creation.
Process is a wonderful thing, it has twists and turns, labor pains, and unpredictable, unforseen outcomes. Speaking of glaciers, Blasts of Holy Birth will be available to you shortly. It is testament to process on many levels, and it carries various themes as found in a text called The Secret of the Golden Flower.
The Immortal Foetus (in: The Secret of the Golden Flower)
There are some shows coming up, you know, to keep limber until springtime. Russell and Eve played the last two shows with me and it was wonderful...almost fourth dimensional. Intermittent togetherness is fun, it keeps us on our toes and adds some excitement to the process... a reminder that fellowship with chemistry always authenticates purpose. Looking forward to the full ensemble spring tour, as fate may have it. As of now, the fire-irons are glowing and molten, so check back for more details and announcements soon, and in the meantime you may click on all of the pink links you encounter.
Also, Lewis & Clarke has gone digital. You may visit the discography area to purchase the entire back catalogue through iTunes, eMusic and others.
I had an interesting winter night's dream to tell you about. In my dream, I came upon a bear cub, awoken from her slumber in the tree-den. I asked, "Are you supposed to be in hibernation?" She smiled and replied, "You stirred us from our sleep, and our sleep is merely breathing with our eyes shut. In our quietude, we are storing a maximum amount of Subtle Cosmic Energy and preventing unnecessary energetic waste." I made a note of this and walked on in the snow. It freaked me out a little bit. Mostly the talking bear.
L.Rogai
Delaware Water Gap, PA
December 21, 2006
..................................................................................................
|
Fall 2006
The support at shows, feedback of the live vinyl, and general offering of affectation...a thank you is in order. The effect seems like that of a boomerang; the process is finalized, or realized, when it comes full circle and plants one on you. No man is an island, and it is nice to feel more like of a peninsula of sorts, friendship and love getting us through in the end. Each letter of correspondence, each call, each mail order for recorded works, it subsidizes the flow much more than you know, so again...thank you. That said, you may click here to see what happens when someone else books your tour for you.
I am working on the new Strand of Oaks record, as well as participating in some other projects, which we can discuss more about later. Oh, and Blasts of Holy Birth is mastered, set for release in early 2007 on La Société Expéditionnaire. The reason for the wait? The same reason it takes for the last leaf to fall. It goes like this:
Each individual contains a central monad, which, at the moment of conception, splits into life and human nature, ming and hsing. This is the duality at birth. These two are supra-individual principles, and so can be related to eros and logos. In the personal bodily existence of the individual they are represented by two other polarities, a p'o soul (or anima) and a hun soul (animus). All during the life of the individual these two are in conflict, each striving for mastery...
If the life-energy flows downward, that is, without let or hindrance into the outer world, the anima is victorious over the animus: no spirit-body or Golden Flower is developed, and at death the ego is lost. If the life-energy is led through the "backward-flowing" process, that is, conserved, and made to "rise" instead of allowed to dissipate, the animus has been victorious, and the ego persists after death. Our work on earth is to re-experience the full consciousness of our own infinite nature, brought about only as we bring the awareness of the infinite into the finite. It is not enough for us to run away from our limitations and humanness to embrace the infinite, or to seek a way by which our own finite nature can be swallowed in an ocean of Oneness.
L.Rogai
Delaware Water Gap, PA
October 26, 2006
.................................................................................................. |
| |
|
Late Summer 2006
Mountain living, swimming, and many music downloads causing site-crashing....natural and virtual worlds swirling! Everyone likes the WPRB performance so much, we had to come up with an answer... In the midst of a midnight mountain meteor shower, it occured: the only remedy for this digital inflammation is to offer the most reverent physical form, a vinyl-only limited edition release! And yes, it is true, it is astrological, the "DUAL TAURUS" EAST COAST TOUR WITH THE BLACK SWANS. I am doing the tour solo, as me, performing alone...so come on out and we will share some time and space. Remember what Master Lu-tsu said, "In comparison with heaven and earth, man is like a mayfly. But compared to the great Way, heaven and earth, too, are like a bubble and a shadow. Only the primal spirit and the true nature overcome time and space". I think he may be on to something....
L. Rogai
Delaware Water Gap, PA
August, 2006 |
.................................................................................................
. |
|
We have noticed that some things take a really long time, which is, of course, relative...glaciers, rivers, mountains... the process exceeds the goal in most instances. Alas, Blasts of Holy Birth is complete and will be delivered to you shortly. Thanks for all of the requests, letters and anticipation. In the meantime, Lewis & Clarke and Strand of Oaks are taking a Boheme Power Holiday through New England's favorite art houses, cafes and performance spaces. Both artists are delivering upcoming releases on La Société Expéditionnaire, so myself and Timothy Oaks have decided to strip it down Kerouac vehicular/vernacular beat-buzz style in the meanwhile, sharing on each others' music, spreading the seeds of the new Strand of Oaks/Dragon Turtle 7" and the gospel of the mountain. This is the real deal, folks... just for you... so join us, joyously....!
L.Rogai
June 2006
Delaware Water Gap, PA
.................................................................................................. |
| |
|
We are experiencing the essence of the beyond through the pleasant and patient final undertakings of the new album, Blasts of Holy Birth. We will discuss more about this shortly, as the garden needs tending.
In the meantime, visit Princeton Radio's Keeping Score at Home. We recorded an on-air session in February as a small taste of what is to come, plus some new takes on a couple of old favorites. Thanks to the expeditionary grace singers for joining us...
Thank you, everyone, for all of your support via mail in all forms and at our intermittent winter shows. And to everyone involved in making the Three Moons show happen: a fertile seed has been planted...This is Johnny Appleseed in effect, folks. Here is a fine live review of a special evening of music. Also an interview for your reading enjoyment.
L.Rogai
February 2006
Delaware Water Gap, PA
|
|