Castalia: Local Interview

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2004 Interview

On November 20, 2004 Castalia was interviewed by a local arts enthusiast:

So how would you compare this new CD with your previous one, Revisiting Sacred Space?

Castalia:

Mmmm in a nutshell I'd say creative control. This is my third studio recording over the last 12 years, and this CD reflects my style, my arrangements and my priorities more than anything I've done before. I'm less self-conscious about my preferences: I know what I like, and I'm less likely to bow to pressure from others. However, that doesn't mean I didn't listen to input from others in the recording and mixing process: it just means I was able to more quickly decide what fit and did not fit with my musical vision.

What is your musical vision?

Castalia:

(laughing) Well, I come from two main schools of folks music: the foot-stomping guitar string breaking, Bodhran beating school of Celtic influenced Canadian folk music, and the misty-swirling, tickly sweet sounds of strings: be they violins, harps, coupled with a woodwind or two. This album has plenty of both.

I guess you aren't aiming for the Top Forty market?

Castalia:

I don't know who ultimately will find the music fun or soothing. I'm certainly far more folk than pop, but I believe a good song is a good song regardless of genre. I am not writing to a formula: most of the time I take lyrics that inspire me, and compose music that really serves the lyrics. Something that enhances their texture and their impact.

Do you write your own lyrics?

Castalia:

On this new album, Hidden, I only wrote 30 percent of the lyrics. When it came time to go into the studio, I had a list of about thirty pieces that I was ready to do, and then I just picked them off by priority: I thought we'd be doing fourteen songs, but somehow a fifteenth slipped in there. So we kept it. The pieces that were most urgent happened to be mostly songs with lyrics by other writers.

How do you choose your lyrics?

Castalia:

With my gut. The words have to grab me, and have an impact on me, or I can't get the music to come out. It's an emotional rather than an intellectual process. If I try to intellectually find a song about say, Winter, or Falling in Love, and then I intellectually try to write an arrangement for it, it's lousy. Okay, not lousy.. it's just not something I get excited about and can't wait to play at my next performance.

So you perform your songs before you record them?

Castalia:

Definitely. My setlist is often expanding and transforming, although if I am doing a series of performances, I might stick with a basic setlist. But from time to time, depending on the audience, I may play something totally unrehearsed because it feels like the perfect piece to reflect the mood of the audience.

That's interesting. How do you gauge the mood of an audience?

Castalia:

Body language, eye contact, and that je ne sais quoi that just tells me it's time.

You said the name of the new CD is Hidden. What does that mean?

Castalia:

It's a short reference to an expression 'The Hidden Children of the Gods'. In a way it refers to the mystical folks who don't proselytise their faith, but who quietly work away trying to have a positive impact on the lives of other people and community, being ubiquitous, but not in people's faces about it.
The word Hidden itself refers to the idea that we sometimes have to stop all our noise and activity and beautiful mysterious things that we didn't notice before appear before our eyes. They were there all along, but we weren't paying attention. In our busy, modern lives, there is a tendency to tune out a lot of things that are around us, while we focus on what is right in front of us. It's called the rat race, and while ambition is really a good thing, it can't be pursued at the price of seeing the amazing beauty and mystery in simple things. There's a price to pay if any of us lose contact with the simple things that bring joy.

So what's next?

Castalia:

Well, I've been rehearsing with a pianist who also plays violin and we'll be performing in places around Southern, Eastern and Central Ontario in the next twelve months. Also, I'll be playing some performances with David Hickey of Positive Vibrations. David plays the crystal bowls of Tibet, which are special bowls made of quartz. They produce incredible tones and harmonics, which set the foundation for Harp and flute accompaniment. I really enjoy these shows. When I first saw David perform, I was mesmerized, and it's such a joy to be working with him when the dates arise. He's also a phenomenal human being. He lives his spirituality, which is something we all strive toward daily.

How can people locate your concerts and CDs?

Castalia:

People can check my website from time to time, and information should be very current there.

Thanks again for coming by.

Castalia:

You are most welcome.