World-renowned Tibetan singer-songwriter Yungchen Lhamo is soon to release her long-awaited sixth album, ‘Awakening’, (Tibetan Arts Management, distributed by Six Degrees Records).
The album, which is Yungchen’s offering of sound healing to aid spiritual awakening, was recorded in Spain, produced by Julio García and Carmen Ros of Escalera Grabaciones Intrépidas, and features guest flamenco legend Carmen Linares on the track ’Loving Kindness’.
Yungchen Lhamo, which translates as ‘Goddess of Melody’, was born and raised in Lhasa, Tibet. In 1989 she crossed the Himalayas to India to pursue her dreams and later moved to Australia, where her first album, ‘Tibetan Prayer’, won the Australian Recording Industry Award for Best World Music Album in 1995.
Yungchen was then signed by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records label and released three more albums: ‘Tibet, Tibet’ (1996), ‘Coming Home’ (1998), and ‘Ama’(meaning ‘Mother’), featuring Annie Lennox on ‘Fade Away’ and Joy Askew on ‘Tara’ (2006). In 2013 Cantaloupe Music released her fifth album, ‘Tayatha’ (meaning ‘It Is Like This’), a meditational collaboration with Russian classical pianist Anton Batagov.
With ‘Awakening’, Yungchen, who is now New York-based, explores the relevance of compassion-based spirituality to our modern-day, interdependent lives – each song reflecting topics that have become ever-more highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. She says: “‘Awakening’ aims to appeal to those of any religion, or of none, who are interested in sound healing and spiritual awakening, and, unlike previous albums, uses only English song titles. It is also my first album to include a song in Mandarin. I truly believe that voice has a vibrational energy to connect, empower, heal and transform all human beings. I hope these new songs will help bring inner peace and true happiness to everyone who hears them.
“It is nine years since ‘Tayatha’ was released, but I never record an album just for the sake of it, only when a meaningful collaboration arises, as it did with Julio García for ‘Awakening’, which has a strong Spanish influence and is therefore quite different in character from my previous albums.”
Supporting Yungchen’s strong, captivating vocals on the 12-track album are eleven musicians who play acoustic, Spanish and electric guitars, violin and cello, harmonium, bamboo and transverse flutes, sopranino saxophone, conch shell trumpet, bass, percussion (including tabla and thape drum), flamenco voice, and backing vocals.
The opening track ‘Awakening’ calls on the listener to realize how brief life is and to awaken to the many sufferings experienced by humans, animals, and the natural environment. Global issues may seem insurmountable, but every small act of kindness helps. Awaken to your full potential to be a shining light in the darkness. This leads to ‘Loving Kindness’, on which Yungchen is joined by flamenco legend Carmen Linares. We need to understand what it is in our mind that brings negative thoughts, feelings and emotions – and then discover that by cultivating loving kindness we can bring healing and freedom from suffering for ourselves, our loved ones, and others.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I performed at a show in Madrid in Spain 20 years ago called the Mantra Festival, then exactly 20 years later I did the same concert. I needed a musician for the show and through my Madrid-based agent for Europe, Saul Presa, I met the Spanish guitarist Julio Garcia.
When I met Julio, he told me that he had watched my show and was a fan of my music. After the show we decided to record the ‘Awakening’ album together – even though we couldn’t communicate through words, we understood each other.
So this album came about. I think that many times in life things are already planned for us – that’s the beauty of life to me.
I also met flamenco legend Carmen Linares and I was honored that she agreed to be my special guest artist on one of the tracks. I am delighted that Bob Duskis and his team at Six Degrees Records have agreed to distribute the digital album, as well as the title track as a single.
What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
Something of which the artist has experience, that conveys great feeling, and which they are deeply sincere about. However, we all live differently with various background experiences, culture and tastes, so we make the meaning of our art through our own lives.
Who were your top 3 artists last year?
I rarely listen to music, but Natalie Merchant, Annie Lennox – who appeared as guest artist on my ‘Ama’ album, and Peter Gabriel.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
Having a human life inspires me every day – as it should for everyone.
What are your 2022 projects and goals?
Release of my sixth album, ‘Awakening’ in March, completing my biography, and finalising two more albums.
Favorite movie or TV show?
My first experience of going to a movie theatre was in New York City, when I went to watch a movie with Uma Thurman. I didn’t know what was happening when we we got chased and I learned later that people were chasing Uma. I don’t have a TV, so I don’t watch movies or TV shows, but there is one film I like called The Great Dictator, made in 1940 by Charlie Chaplin. From time to time I watch documentaries on my laptop.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.
My new ‘Awakening’ album aims to appeal to those of any religion, or of none, who are interested in sound healing and spiritual awakening. It is also my first album to include a song in Mandarin.
What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
The low royalty rates paid to artists by streaming platforms. I would also like the industry to shift away from violent material and sexualized content so that the young are exposed to promotion of more nurturing, compassionate and humane content. I don’t wish to change others, but every moment I live to change myself to become a better human being.
Can you outline your creative process?
As soon as any artist attempts to explain their creative process, they miss the point.
It is honestly something that I can’t explain, even if I wished to.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
My style of singing has been inspired by my grandmother, my mother, and by an aunt. I infuse as much as I can of my culture of compassion, as well as western influence, and my own style.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
I am the first Tibetan woman to win an ARIA award, and have been blessed to have traveled extensively around the world, sharing my culture, music and learning from others. Also I have been fortunate that through this music career I have been able to meet many great musicians, and great professionals in other fields.
What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
Anything that they feel passionately about.
Do you have any regrets?
No. The past is the past. Live in the present moment. One’s present actions of body, speech and mind will determine one’s future experiences.
What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Embrace kindness and appreciate this precious life.
