LR. Shall you talk about the beginning and development of Garaj Mahal band?
Kai Eckhardt. Garaj Mahal began in San Francsico, the year 2000, as a jam session between musicians who liked each other's playing. The name was chosen from a list of names emailed to us by the fan community. In San Franscisco we have a club called the “ Connecticut Yankee”. During a jam session we told the audience that we needed a name. Within a few days we had 800 names to choose from. Every band member chose their top 10 favorite and we chose the number One, which is “Garaj Mahal”
LR. In Garaj Mahal's songs we can find elements from different styles. How do you get a balance between these different musical languages?
It takes a degree of skill and sensitivity. Otherwise it becomes a disaster.
At the root of every style live elements like beats, tones and spaces. Culture does not matter so much as long as the compositions are mature enough to reflect elements from everyone involved.
I wrote the music to fit the player's style which gave the music a sense of natural proportions.
LR. Can you talk about the upcoming Garaj Mahal Album?
The album “Woot” was recorded at the Plant in Sausalito , CA near San Francisco . The Plant was build for Sly and the Family Stone and is known for recording sessions like: “Stevie Wonder (Songs in the key of life) Santana (Supernatural) and Fleetwood Mac (Rumours). The Garaj Mahal rhythm section played on the album of the owner's wife in trade for a free record at the Plant.
Each Musician brought in 2 compositions and we tracked basics and overdubs over the course of 5 days.
LR. How did you create the composition Seven Cows Jumping over the Moon?
A few years ago, I had the fortune of going to Mumbai , India and meeting Suresh Talwalkar, the Guru of Trilok Gurtu from the John Mclaughlin Trio. He performed a Konakkol piece (Indian rhythm vocals) in 7, which was recorded byAustrian bassist Helmut Schoenleitner. The CD recording became the root of the bass line in 7 cows. The B part reflects the number 7 in three different ways (triplets, eighth notes, sixteenth notes) and the chord changes are from the American Jazz tradition. The style is Funk.
LR. At present, you are developing the video teaching called “Dr Eck Beyond the Mass Confusion”. Shall you talk about this project?
Yes, it started as an idea for a DVD and now is becoming the basis of my online teaching method. I am hoping to have it up and running by the end of this year. I will post everything for a monthly subscription.
Dr. Eck is a science-fiction character from another planet who solves all problems on his planet with the help of music. Kai Eckhardt is his student on planet earth who passes on his teachings to muscicians on planet Earth.
LR. Please, tell me about your experience by playing with George Brooks-Summit?
Goerge Brooks is one of the greatest living links between world-class Indian classical music and Jazz. His band Summit have hosted: Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram, Hariprasad Chaurasia among others.
The great Steve Smith from the American Rock band Journey is the main drummer in Summit . He is also a great Jazz drummer, educator who has studied Indian Classical music.
On guitar is Fareed Haque the guitarist of Garaj Mahal who is also Jazz Professor at Nothern Illinois State University near Chicago.
LR. You have created K-zone61 Records, where you will upload in your web site your latest songs with additional information about each project:
A – Why did you decide to create K-zone61 Records instead to work with a massive and established label?
Big labels are having a tough time in this new market because CD sales are way down. The new internet, copying, burning and sharing platform has changed everything. Artists who succeed in the future are those who can attract their own fans/customers directly without the use of a “middle man”.
If a small label like K-zone61 records does well on its own, it will be easier to get support from a major label. If a big label invests money, they want to recoup. If I don't get the money for them, they will immediately drop me and move on. Major labels also often dictated the style they want to the musician. A small label gives 100 percent artistic control and allows me to expiment more without taking a huge risk of loosing money and/or reputation.
B – Why did you decide to use the format “each song, each publication” instead “full album” format?
Because it allows me to publish things “on the fly”. Since I am in 6 touring bands time is of the essence. I am changing fast and music is changing fast.
If I wait until a whole album is done, I will already be old news to myself.
Second of all, the internet is moving in that direction. People go more and more directly to the songs they like and don't want to pay for anything they don't really like, only because it is on an album.
C – Your first publication at K-zone61 Records is called Gandhi. With this song you alert us about the issues associated with disappearing forests and global warming and you call to everyone get involved. Tell me about this issue.
”Gandhi”was originally inspired by meeting the great American activist Julia Butterfly Hill. She spent 2 years of her life in an ancient red-wood tree and resisted helicopter attacks and the El Nino winter in Northern California . By doing that she created enough public attention to save a whole region of redwood forest from being cut down by a major corporation.
Julia was also a poet and I was fortunate to write the music for 2 of her performances. She used to start the concert with a ritual drawing everyone into the circle of life by calling on “seven directions”.The piece was called “Gandhi” after my second trip to India where I witnessed the horrible traffic problems and drought in on of India's largest cities.
Mahatma Gandhi, like Julia brought the power back to the people through peaceful resistence and a “do it yourself” approach to solving local problems.He was a great activist, an amazing motivator. This song is ultimately dedicated to all who are actively transforming their lives without waiting for someone to come and do it for them.
D – I see that many times, the biggest issue with global warming is caused by big corporations whom want to earn profits to his shareholders as well as many political behaviors.
How can a single individual help to stop the global warming in this conditions?
Remember that corporations are also individuals; individuals who choose to be part of a large organization. Corporations offer a job, a sense of belonging, security, health care, education. Indipendet's have it a lot harder because they have provide all that themselves (like myself)
What and individual can do is transform their surroundings from within. If you work for an oil company for instance, you can actively support your company in the transition to new technologies, like solar, fuel from algae and wind power. If the company you work for does not care at all, it is time for you to move on to better things. Educate yourself, be a living example for what you stand for and inspire people in a loving way. Don't run around warning everybody about the apocalypse. Fear will always take you in the wrong direction, a self-destructive one. Love is the way to be green sustainable and all that good stuff.
7E – Please, give me your opinion about the biofuel and the utilization of it as an alternative to the fossil oil.
Very promising is the research on Algae. It grows in abundance and new species can not only fuel your ride, they can also break down heavy pollution better than chemicals. Solar energy exists in abundance. The technology is here, all that is missing is funding and popular support. Yesterday I read in the “Econmist” that the Pentagon spends the same amount of money in 36 hours that is takes to feed ever hungry person on this planet for a year! The crisis is “man made” and must be “man and woman” solved. You start by saying: Yes I believe it is possible. Hold that thought and ideas with flow in that direction. You always had the power to do that. Take it back and apply it in new ways.
Most important of all is to understand that there is no peace and no sustainable future without social justice. The terrible split between rich and poor is draining us and we are loosing time. The way out if this hell is to invest in people by giving them and incentive. Take for instance young people who come out of jail and give them a job building solar panels on the roofs of the ghettos of the world. Teach them how to fix their own infrastructure and they will be the foundation of a peaceful and happy future for all people.
If you are interested in getting to know more details and see how it's done, visit my friends at green for all. (see links at the end of this interview).
F – What is your key memory about the record of Gandhi?
A key memory is sitting in West Oakland at my studio reocording tracks, one after the other, while reflecting on my experience with India , Butterfly Hill and the current crisis on planet Earth.
LR. In 2004, you have finished the poetry called “Greed”, in one extract of this one you say: “…there was a man named greed who worshipped his dough. He set out on a mission to divide and slay and to feed his fat belly others had to pay.”
Can you explain us what do you means in this poetry?
This poem is about human nature in form of a satirical look at greed, the disease at the center of material delusion. We look at alcoholism or manic depression as clinical conditions but not greed. That is a problem. Greed gets a lot of anger, envy and false respect directed towards itself. But only if we see it as a kind of disease that needs a cure we can get past it. Greed is essentially a substitution for love and it hides deep inside a person's wounded heart.
LR. You are working in a project called Pangea, where you help low-income teenagers.
Can you explain the philosophy of this project?
I was involved with Pangaea as a musician who has helped raise funds at their benefit concerts. I have also been part of meetings where the organization mapped out it's general direction. Pangaea is lead by founders Stephanie Tolk and Deb Delman from Portland Orgeon. They have managed to create a free program for kids from the poor inner cities. Pangaea raised enough funds to take the young teenagers to a foreign place like Ecuador . There the children live with local families and learn about their stuggles for survival. The kids help this foreign community in ways like building an irrigation system (for instance). After months over being over sees, the kids come back to their community and eductate their folks about what they have learned. Yet another way to transform the community from “within”.
Last Month Pangaea received a grant from Bill and Melinda Gates!!!.
LR. Tell me about the importance of the spiritually in your live?
I believe in Universal spirituality that includes all life on all planets. And all levels of existence. While I respect people with traditional befiefs, I do not subscribe to any of them in particular. I believe we automatically become more and more spiritual by having a good attitude toward hard work and by being loving and productive while being here on this Earth.
LR. When did you take the first contact with the melodic and rhythmic system from Indian classical music (some key memory)?
Trilok Gurtu the percussionist in my old band (John Mclaughlin Trio) used to practice Konakkol at the airport during check-in. That was my first encounter.
The Trio used Indian compositions as part of their modern Indian jazz-fusion repertoire. Ever since Indian Music has never left, as it is an ingenious system that allows us to understand all types of Rhythms (not only Indian). Since then I have had more encounters with Indian Masters through Trilok, like the amazing Shama Bhate from Pune, India, a classical Kathak dance Guru who performed with the Trilok's Band for many years during the early 90's.
LR. Which advices shall you give to bassists who wants learn about Indian classical music to improve themselves?
First listen to examples. John Mclaughlin has a DVD out on basic Konakkol. You can find it at “Abstractlogix.com” Fall in love with the stuff first, that way youwill have an easier time working hard and being productive. (As opposed to doing it because you think you should…) Next step is to apply some simple elements to your instrument and style. After that you are well on your way.
LR. The musician should to travel several times. How to find a balance between family and profession?
Key elements to balancing family life and touring profession are:
- Call home every day when you are on the road.
- Make extra time for family when you are home
- Keep tours 3 weeks long and shorter
- Bring home presents when you go to exotic places
- Get a Google of Skype account to save money on communication.
- Accept your spouse for who she is and don't try to change her.
- If you don't like something, do it your self and teach by example.
- Party with your spouse, dance and have a fun time.
LR. As great musician, you have a strong career and experience, as player as well as composer. You are a reference around the World.
What is your biggest challenge right now?
To assist my wife Regina and two children Danilo and Naima in navigating through the coming times of change, to expand the family concept (symbolically speaking) by embracing more and more of our friends and community, helping some of those who are really struggeling right known and to bring Music into the arena of social change!
LR. Please, let us any information that you see relevant to publish.
My wife Regina is gifted poet. You will find her under my top Myspace friends at : www.myspace.com/kaieckhardt K-zone 61 records is currently producing her first album with me playing all the instruments. You can listen to a sneak preview online.
Garaj Mahal's album “Woot” will be out within two months on “Owl Records” from Indianapolis . www.garajmahal.net
My San Francisco rock band Kbrandow is starting to play show's this summer. www.myspace.com/kbrandow
Summit gigs are posted at: www.georgebrooks.com
I returned from Russia yesterday collaborating with a Russian based “trance music project” named Goatika Creative Lab. The concert in Moscow was a success and we will play again. Goatika also featured George Brooks, and Pete Lockett (percussionist from Bjork who played percussion on the latest James Bond Movie).
Another band do look out for is : Alex Machacek Trio (Alex Machacek, Marco Minnemann and myself) Very interesting music. We have performed in Mexico and Los Angeles over the last year.
Also look forward to the new Album by Turkish Pop Superstar Sertab Erener. We are currently recording here next Album entitled: Painted on Water. It features, Dave Weckl, Al di Meola, Mike Stern, Sean Rickman, Alan Pasqua and some great Turkish Artists. This band also will play live and I will on the road with them.
Here is a list of helpful links:
Kai's current projects:
www.kaizone.com
www.myspace.com/kaieckhardt
www.garajmahal.net
www.alexmachacek.com
www.georgebrooks.com
www.myspace.com/kbrandow
www.timucinsahin.com
www.sertab.net
www.myspace.com/goatikacreativelab
Links to great U.S. activists for global change:
www.greenforall.org
www.juliabutterfly.com
www.apolloalliance.org
www.thepangaeaproject.org
www.ssbx.org
www.thedoorpost.com
Lean Rodrigues, June 6, 2008
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