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I first encountered the music of Michael Brant DeMaria earlier this year when he sent me his CD, “Siyotanka,” for review. I fell in love with his haunting flute playing and was fascinated with the story that this music tells. In the process of writing the review, I read through Dr. DeMaria’s website and was amazed by the many things he is involved in. Since then, “Siyotanka” has reached the #1 position on the New Age Reporter chart, so I’m not the only one who thinks this is a great album! I think you’ll enjoy this interview with the man behind the music!
KP: After browsing your website, I would have to say that you are truly a modern-day Renaissance Man. Let’s talk about some of the things you do.
DeMaria: You’re very kind Kathy. Yes, sometimes I feel like I’m living three or four different lives. I often say I’m a psychologist by day and a musician/artist by night. However, over the years, these lives have begun to blend in some remarkable ways. I do my healing work three days each week, which leaves me four days to work on my writing, music and art. I’ve come to realize that my roles as a healer and an artist are intimately interwoven. After four days of deeply exploring my own creativity, which is a very inward process, I’m ready to be there for someone else and get outside of myself. Of course, after three days of that work, I’m REALLY ready to dive back into my own world of creativity. I have found this weaving back and forth stokes my creativity and provides a sense of balance for me.
KP: Do you use much music in your therapy? If so, do you ever use your own music?
DeMaria: Yes, I do. I’m trained as an expressive therapist so I use play, art, poetry, and music therapy in my therapy work. The main modality is music. I have singing bowls, drums, flutes, and shakers all over my office. My great joy is playing to help bring people into the present moment or to ease the tension after a particularly intense sharing or to help with visual imagery. Many clients use my recorded music to help aid in relaxation, meditation, yoga, or falling asleep. I’m one of the few musicians who is actually flattered when people tell me my music puts them to sleep!
KP: How many CDs have you released?
DeMaria: I’ve completed three CD’s. The third one, “Ocean,” will officially be released later this year. “Ocean” and “The River” are part of the “Healing Sound Series.” My most-recent release is “Siyotanka,” which you so graciously reviewed.
KP: Congratulations on “Siyotanka” earning the #1 spot on New Age Reporter’s chart for the month of February ’09! Where did the idea for “Siyotanka” come from?
DeMaria: Thank you Kathy, your words and your review of the CD REALLY mean a lot to me and certainly helped us get to #1!
“Siyotanka” began as a soundtrack and really took on a life of its own. It is a concept album that takes the listener on a mythical, magical ride through the ancient legend of how the Native American flute came into being. Composing this music about a young man’s search for his place in the world was a labor of love. The story parallels my own experience fifteen years ago when I did a vision quest during a very difficult time in my life. It was during that time that I first heard the Native American flute and the story of Siyotanka. “Siyotanka” is the Lakota word for “flute” and literally translates as “great song.” I was able to turn the ancient legend into a 90-minute play with my co-writer Stephen Lott, who is also a psychologist and artist. He painted the shield that adorns the cover of the CD. It was Stephen who suggested that I compose a soundtrack for the play and then release the CD as a concept album. I’ve been very moved by how the music has touched people around the world.
KP: Do you perform the music yourself when “Siyotanka” is staged?
DeMaria: Yes and no. I used a number of backing tracks that I played over on some pieces, but I played a good portion of the music live. It was great fun! We had people hiding in trees onstage that would change out flutes for me mid-scene. We had flutes, drums, and various other instruments - including a huge conch shell I played - hidden in strategic places all over the stage.
KP: That must have added some excitement to the performances! Have you had extensive musical training or are you mostly self-taught?
DeMaria: Mostly self-taught. I began exploring the piano as soon as I could walk. My parents love to tell the story of how I would sit engrossed for long periods of time just hitting one note at a time, fascinated by how each note would arise and then dissipate. As a psychologist, I have come to realize that what I was doing was self-soothing, which was a way of healing myself from some surgical trauma I experienced as a young child. Although I didn’t have words for it, I realized at a young age that sound could alter
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