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Chart Topping Artist Ram Dass Explores The Depths Of The Human Experience In ‘And Now He Has Wings’ EP

And Now He Has Wings is sonic poetry embodying life’s most profound triumphs and tragedies through intricate, vivid folk soundscapes.

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Soulful folk singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ram Dass delivers a collection of 5 strikingly emotional tracks on his upcoming EP, And Now He Has Wings, out December 3rd. The artist is in the midst of his return to the commercial music community following the success of his 2014 collaboration, “From Within,” with Nirinjan Kaur and Matthew Schoening which premiered at #1 on the Apple New Age Music charts. And Now He Has Wings is a deeply personal project that captures the raw emotions inherent to life’s most impactful moments of beauty and pain; ultimately, it vulnerably details Ram Dass’ experience processing the grief and recovery following the loss of his newborn son. Several of the songs on this EP were recorded in collaboration with the band AWARÉ. Hypnotic, stripped production speaks to the soul of listeners on every track. The artist – with a background primarily as a producer and studio musician – masterfully weaves harmony capturing the emotional intricacies of his experience with a stunning integrity communicating feelings beyond words. He delivers brilliant musical reflections of formative moments from this emotional time in his life, each track embodying different elements of the story.

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Credits:

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Composed by Ram Dass Khalsa, Bogdan Djukic, Matias Da Viá

Ram Dass Khalsa: Nylon Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Drum Programming, Clarinet, Producer, Engineer

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Bogdan Djukic: Drum programming, Violin, Vocals, Percussion, Electric Guitar

Matías De Via: Vocals

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Jared May: Bass

KJ Song: Backing Vocals

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Piper Payne: Mastering Engineer

Bogdan Djukic: Drum programming, Violin, Vocals, Percussion

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Larena Nellies-Ortiz: Photographer

The self-produced and recorded introduction to the EP, “Elegy For A Yellow Bird,” is a delicate instrumental track bearing a heavy-hearted recount of discovering and nursing an injured baby bird back to health shortly after the passing of their child. For Ram Dass, this story represents the deep compassion for those around him that was exemplified by his devastating loss. Ethereal strings mingle with melancholic fingerpicking on “To Be Born,” the second track on the EP that embodies an optimistic message of finding light through suffering, in spite of pain. This track beautifully captures the essence of the EP, which for the songwriter, represented “his experience of finding beauty and joy within grief.” He learned that “happiness does not preclude having hard feelings, but rather includes them.”  Ram Dass concludes the EP with the title track, “And Now He Has Wings,” a stunning composition exploring the experience of death. “I wanted to show this process as a musical painting,” he says, “and tell the story of someone releasing their human form and growing ‘wings’ into another realm.”

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Listeners can stream And Now He Has Wings on all major streaming platforms on December 3rd.

Ram_Dass_EPCover_ToBeBorn-11.jpgMore about Ram Dass:

Ram Dass experiences music as spiritually and emotionally restorative. His music opens the heart and stirs the soul. As a producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, he inspires a unique potency through collaboration and improvisation that creates art greater than the sum of its parts. His constant dedication to render the beauty of human experience, triumph, tragedy, and beyond, has led him to the world stage. He performed at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards, has played at Carnegie Hall, and continues to perform at venues around the world every year.

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Ram Dass is at the forefront of a movement of musicians aiming to bring healing and solace to the world. He produced his last collaboration, From Within, with Nirinjan Kaur and Matthew Schoening, in 2014. It premiered at #1 on the Apple New Age Music charts. In 2021, he is once again drawn to create a series of collaborative musical projects born from his own deeply personal human experience of joy and sorrow.

Born into a family of professional classical musicians, Ram Dass was raised to appreciate all musical genres and find the unique nuances of every song and composition he heard. He developed a near-encyclopedic knowledge of wide swaths of the musical landscape, which he calls upon to create novel and moving approaches to music production and songwriting.

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Album Review

“Every Rain” by Luke Borchelt evokes a soulful tapestry of nostalgic life with introspective memories

Luke Borchelt

Emerging singer-songwriter Luke Borchelt steps into the spotlight, making waves with his highly anticipated debut album, “Every Rain,” a heartfelt ode to life’s quiet moments, comprises a nine-track odyssey that bridges the intimate charm of the Chesapeake Bay roots with the universal resonance of timeless authenticity. This collection demonstrates Borchelt’s unique blend of country upbringing and modern soundscapes, creating nostalgically grounded and refreshingly innovative music.

Spanning just over 32 minutes, the album “Every Rain” is a masterful exploration of life’s imperfections, love’s intricacies, and the enduring impact of personal history. It begins with Same Old Square,” Borchelt immerses listeners into a euphoric country classic drenched in youthful memory love, capturing the unassuming joy of revisiting familiar places with someone special, driven by heartfelt lyrics and strumming guitars and small-town life with his signature lyrical authenticity. The title track, “Every Rain,” follows with soulful yet melancholic undertones co-written with producer Warren Russell. This centerpiece delivers a vivid mosaic of imagery of life’s imperfections, malfunctioning trucks, and overgrown gutters, embracing the therapeutic warmth of resilience through life’s storms.

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Subsequent tracks such as Itchin’” and Frostbit Hands further broaden the album’s emotional spectrum. The former ventures into unexplored realms with folk-pop soulfulness, while the latter is a modern acoustic classic work reflecting on lost friendships and the reconciliation of past errors with hopeful renewal in personal growth. Victoria shifts the focus to a romantic-soaked ballad influenced by dreamy organ strums, catchy beats, and an uplifting soundscape to paint vivid snapshots of budding memories of romance, evoke late-night calls, and sweet red wine, rendering it an undeniable highlight of the album.

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Borchelt’s artistic versatility is manifested in blending enchanting lyrical narrative with sonic sophistication shines in Accent,” a nostalgic acoustic vibe co-written with Jordan Rager and Mark Irwin. Meanwhile, Maryland Life and Car Heat are poignant tributes to Borchelt’s upbringing and childhood memories, encapsulating his roots with soul-stirring melodies. The album concludes on a hauntingly beautiful note with Orland, ME,” a heart-wrenching portrayal of heartbreak. Borchelt’s trembling vibrato leaves an indelible mark, lingering long after the final note fades.

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Crafted meticulously, “Every Rain” constitutes an intimate adventure through Borchelt’s world. It traverses a landscape of memories characterized by shimmering melodies and genuine authenticity. Each track provides a glimpse into his creative vision, cementing his place as a compelling new voice in modern folk and soul. Luke Borchelt’s “Every Rain” promises to be a valuable addition to diverse musical playlists, appealing to listeners craving introspection and emotionally evocative depth. Don’t miss the chance to experience this profoundly remarkable debut.

 

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CLICK HERE TO STREAM Luke Borchelt’s AlbumEvery Rain on Spotify.

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Artist Spotlight

Chandra delivers an anthemic dash of festive kindness in its recent single “Christmas Hugs”

Chandra

The Bristol-based pop-rock quartet Chandra has unwrapped an early gift for music enthusiasts with their new single, “Christmas Hugs.” This upbeat festive bop delight is an auditory representation of a cozy fireside experience, encapsulating an intimate gathering that embodies a shimmering embrace. The track celebrates the joyous spirit of the holiday season with a hint of unapologetic nostalgia, featuring catchy melodic tunes that will resonate with listeners.

Frontman Chandra Nair leads the charge with his spirited vocals and jangly guitar riffs, while Chris Wong’s groovy basslines and Keith Jones’s upbeat drumming keep the song bouncing with holiday joy. Co-produced with their long-time collaborator Aaron Shawt, the track exudes a polished yet playfully energetic vibe, weaving together Chandra’s signature cheeky pop-rock style with a sprinkle of classic Christmas magic.

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The brilliance of “Christmas Hugs” is particularly evident in its unabashed optimism. It’s a merry, melody-driven, lyrical anthem that doesn’t just sing about Christmas; it feels like Christmas. The composition radiates with festive cheer and an endearing sense of whimsy. Its infectious hooks and sing-along chorus effectively capture the essence of a holiday gathering, where warmth, laughter, and a little bit of mischief come together in perfect harmony.

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Beyond the festive sound that sets this mesmerizing production apart, the song carries a heartfelt message. Beneath the layers of tinsel and festive flair, “Christmas Hugs” echoes the thematic hallmark of the band’s core ethos: celebrating kindness, inclusivity, and shared togetherness of humanity. It consistently reminds audiences that the true spirit of the holidays isn’t in the material gifts or glitter but in the human relationships that bring people closer.

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Whether you adore the holiday season or find yourself counting down the days until it’s over, “Christmas Hugs” is the perfect song to lift your spirits. It can brighten even the gloomiest moods and make excellent background music while decking at home, sipping mulled wine, or craving a sonic pick-me-up, seasonal serotonin. It’s a feel-good vibe that wraps listeners in its joyful melodies, which don’t let go, just like the best festive hug for the soul.

 

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For more information about Chandra, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Chandra’s Christmas Hugs on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Chandra | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |

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