Why I Created Sonic Sanctum, My First Album

The album art to Sonic Sanctum. Drew it on the iPad right after recording the album.

It’s weird. I have been a professional concert pianist for about 4 years now. During that whole time, I had never recorded an album. The only extent to which I recorded anything was audition tapes to music festivals, or to conservatories.

I was also scared to record anything. To put your music out there to be openly received positively, or negatively, is a proud and frightening experience. However, the worst part of publishing your music is the feeling of your music being neglected.

During this time of isolation, social distancing, and reflection, I have been doing live music meditation sessions on my Instagram channel with Giant Robot (a store and art gallery in LA).  Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday I would set up my iPhone on a flimsy tripod next to my piano. At 8pm PST I would hit the “Go Live” button. For about 30 minutes I would play meditative and soothing music for anyone that tuned in, and sometimes no one. The purpose was to use the power of music to heal people though this time.

Me doing a Instagram Live Music Meditation session with Giant Robot.

Despite a few xenophobic messages, the overwhelming love and support from the community surrounding the music were heartwarming and inspiring. I was humbled to receive positive messages of how my playing made people’s days better, or it became a tranquil ritual throughout the week.

My music was healing the Instagram neighborhood. The surge of positive energy from this community revitalized my creative juices and gave me the confidence to sit at the piano and record my very first album: a Sonic Sanctum that could use the power of music to heal and assemble people.

Given my natural ADHD tendencies, I knew I had to put myself in a focused environment in order to produce this body of work. I decided the best way to do that was to record all 12 tracks of the album in a live Instagram session. So, on Thursday, April 9th, 2020, I sat my iPhone once again next to my Steinway and recorded my first album in a 1.5-hour recording session.

Sonic Sanctum comprises of 12 tracks that are for people, in isolation, or together. The songs are inspired by the emotional connections we have to family, friends, nature, home, community, and wonder. Each song was improvised completely from scratch with no previous preparation. I deliberately did this in order to construct genuine and authentic music that reflected my deepest internal emotions at that present moment.

The music is available on all streaming platforms. Below are the links where you can listen to my music. I hope you find some tranquility, peace, and healing listening to this Sonic Sanctum.

Virtual listening party video from Instagram Live