Arts
Sri Guitar Jam: Strumming a chord of hope and creativity
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- Tenny
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- Shobi
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- Shaman
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- Hiruni
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- Derek
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- Amesh
The Sri Guitar Jam was conceptualized with the intention of bringing this sense of originality and hope back to musicians, hit hard by the raging pandemic. It aims to unite Sri Lankan guitarists from across the globe and inspire them to create their own music.
The brainchild of Stigmata guitarist, Tennyson Napoleon (Tenny), the project seeks to give these musicians exposure through social media and other media platforms.
During the lockdowns earlier this year, the music industry in particular went through hardships. Full-time musicians suffered owing to the lack of live gigs and shows. However, it also gave them a chance to explore more online music collaborations, and also to create their own music.
Tenny himself had to deal with the uncertainty and the possibility of things not going back to normal. He felt the world was reset in a manner where people had to figure out new ways of surviving.
As some tried to cling to the past, there were those getting ready to face the new normal. “Adapting to these changes and the challenges was a test for all of us to make us or break us,” he says. During this time he got involved with a few collaborations with the aim of sending a positive message to society.
As he talked with other musicians such as Primal Liyanage, Shobi Perera, Amaranath Ranathunga, Anton Goonetilleke and Derek Wikramanayake , the idea for “Sri Guitar Jam’ took shape.
Soon he began collecting small compositions from different guitarists well versed in jazz, the blues, flamenco, classical, reggae, pop, rock and roll and heavy metal music. What started off small soon saw the participation of more than 60 guitarists of Sri Lankan origin from around the world.
Musicians joined the project voluntarily to send a message of hope, love and unity to all Sri Lankans. “We are all in this together, and we can make a difference to survive this pandemic together,” Tenny says.
The first chapter of the Sri Guitar Jam, titled ‘Lemuria’ spans four volumes. Centered around a historical theme. Lemuria also known as Kumari Kandam is a long lost continent that contained a civilization that was rich with music, architecture, medicine, philosophy, sculpture, art, alchemy, magic, poetry and mathematics. It was believed to be located in the south of India, namely the present day Sri Lanka.
Tenny explains that Volume I of the chapter, titled ‘OM: Emanate’ explores the first vibration, the expansion and life. Featuring guitarists Allan, Amesh (Australia), Ashane (Norway), Derek, Delaine, Dihan, Hiruni, Mikhail (UK), Nisha (South Africa), Primal, Shaman, Shobi, Tenny and Thisara, it was released via Island Pulse on September 27.
This will be followed by Volume II namely ‘the Cradle of Civilization’. In a similar fashion, this explores the human race and what we have perceived this reality to be, and how we live in this realm/dimension. Volume III or Kumari Kandam will be based on ‘the Aftermath’, whilst Volume IV will be based on ‘Rebirth: Utopia.’
“Each music piece is original, a masterpiece of each and every creator who has joined the Sri Guitar Jam,” Tenny explains.
‘Lemuria’ will be released free online as a single and a video across digital formats so that the guitarists featured could be recognised. Tenny firmly believes this will also help improve their livelihoods during this difficult time.
He also hopes this jam will encourage musicians to create their own music and share it with the world. “You could be the next big thing in the world thanks to the internet and media, so keep writing and keep sharing your music, and don’t ever give up on it!”
Tenny firmly believes one should not hold back on their creativity. “We should just keep exploring it until we find a new star or a planet.”
The official music videos for Sri Guitar Jam can be accessed via their official YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClZC0_ugUtEhOnfgROFSzow/videos
The official audio will be launched on Island Pulse. For more information checkout their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sriguitarjam/.