Album Notes

Empty rooms become a churning mass of bodies; dancing feet, flashing eyes, hands striking two-headed mrdanga drums. The pure energy of soul-satisfying vibrations fill your chest as you chant ancient mantras. Magical instruments fill your ears. Rhythms soothe your body. A typical suburban neighborhood transforms into the most beautiful place in creation, where you are eternally youthful, beautiful and full of bliss. Every word is a song and every step is a dance.

This is the epicenter of the American kirtan sub-culture. Hiding in plain sight in run-of-the-mill locations, behind curtains in the basement of your seemingly average neighbor, this vibrant spiritual and musical subculture thrives.

This unique recording of World Music perfectly captures the uplifting and energetic atmosphere in which As Kindred Spirits crafts their music. Ancient Indian songs of devotion, with rich ethnic melodies are infused with fresh, Western grooves and modalities, creating tracks that are both hip and inspired.

The music of As Kindred Spirits is like a lotus growing from the mud of American materialism. We are the honeybees swarming to drink the nectar of this flower.

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Background

“Kirtan” refers to the very ancient practice of group musical worship in the Vaishnava/Hindu tradition of India. 'Nectar of Devotion' is a candid collection of songs from these very diverse and talented musicians. Gaura Vani and Sandeep Mody open our hearts with their sincere music and evoke long forgotten spiritual feelings dormant for countless moments of eternity.

Gaura says, “I was given the gift of devotional song from birth, raised with the music of the temple, taught to sing and play beautiful instruments and dance…for love and for God. I am one of a group of children called gurukulis or those raised in the village of the guru. Even as children, we were aware that though it felt like we were partying when we played music, we were in the physical presence of God himself, who danced with us.

“An old friend said he saw me as a baby for the first time, cradled in the arms of my father with a group of devotees, chanting God’s ancient names. Hare. Krishna. Rama. It’s in the blood.”

As Kindred Spirits features Gaura Vani and Sandeep Mody along with many of their closest friends, in this fresh take on sacred Indian music. Allow this album to place you in direct contact with the Divine through the universal language of music.