My wish with this EP is for listeners to dive in and submerge themselves, even if it’s just for a few minutes, turning their attention to themselves and their deepest feelings. Moments such as these alone are the most beautiful and raw form of art, invoking a desire to seek out and learn more. The Brazilian poet Sérgio Vaz once said, “Revolutionary is the one who wants to change the world and has the courage to start with oneself.” These tracks are an invitation for listeners to do just that, prompting them to also look into the deeper themes and ideas explored by Ian in The Outlaw Ocean. As humans, it’s vital for us to be sensitive about the conditions experienced by many others.

I invited my partners, the Absycho, the Khonshu and the Vajrapani projects to collaborate with me on this project. Conceiving songs based on stories from a bestselling book is inspiring, but translating that intensity took baby steps. It involved diving into Ian’s reporting, but most importantly diving into our own self-consciousness. The result is an exquisite and thought-provoking work. The ocean has always fascinated me, both for its beauty and its immensity. However today, I also feel a mixture of indignation and revolt as well as compassion. I know that somewhere out on the high seas, there will always be someone looking and hoping for a better life. I dedicate this album to those individuals. 

Kumbhaka