PT509 – Music for Psychedelic Exploration, and the First 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Album, with Shahar Amit
May 3, 2024
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Shahar Amit, psytrance musician, discusses creating a modular album for psychedelic exploration. Topics include music for non-ordinary states, 'choose your own adventure' framework, DMT trials, flow of the album, music as a catalyst, and exploration of consciousness. He also talks about the impact of music on enhancing the psychedelic journey, festival experiences, and genre diversity. Amit challenges Big Bang theory, discusses consciousness as reality's foundation, and explores music's emotional impact on perceptions.
Modular album 'Before Thought' offers personalized emotional soundscapes for psychedelic therapy sessions.
Resonance between internal and musical experiences is crucial for effective psychedelic therapy outcomes.
Seamless crossfades and personalized music selection enhance the immersive and tailored nature of the session.
Deep dives
Innovative Music Approach for Psychedelic Therapy
The modular album 'Before Thought' by Held By Sound offers a unique approach to music for psychedelic therapy. The album is structured to follow the psychedelic experience arc, allowing listeners to choose different emotional soundscapes that resonate with their journey. The continuous flow of the music ensures a seamless and immersive experience throughout the session.
Resonance Between Inner Experience and Musical Experience
Research has shown that the resonance between the inner experience and the musical experience plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of psychedelic therapy. The emotional connection and alignment between the internal state of the individual and the music being played can significantly impact the therapeutic outcomes of the session.
Importance of Seamlessly Transitioning Tracks
One of the key features of the modular album by Held By Sound is the seamless crossfade between tracks, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted musical journey. The careful consideration of transitions enhances the organic flow of the music, contributing to a cohesive and immersive experience for the listener.
Personalized Music Selection in Psychedelic Therapy
The ability to personalize the music selection during a psychedelic therapy session allows for tailored experiences based on the individual's emotional needs and response. By offering a variety of emotional soundscapes and the flexibility to adjust the musical journey, listeners can curate a session that aligns with their unique therapeutic requirements.
Future Plans for Bittersweet Album Release
Held By Sound plans to release a bittersweet version of the album, expanding the emotional range of the music for diverse therapeutic experiences. The upcoming album release will offer additional compositions designed to evoke bittersweet emotional states, providing listeners with a broader spectrum of sounds and moods to explore during their psychedelic journeys.
In this episode, Joe interviews Shahar Amit: psytrance musician who has created what may be the world's first modular album for psychedelic exploration under his project, Held By Sound.
He talks about his background in the rave and festival scene, the moment he realized he wanted to make music, and the realization that he could create soundscapes specifically for journeys into non-ordinary states. And he digs into the 'choose your own adventure' framework of the free album: how he actually recorded 3 different albums and figured out how to transition into different moods based on which direction the listener wants to go – from more still to more expansive, to darker or more bittersweet. He has also created music for DMT trials in the UK, and talks a lot about the potential in extended-state DMT experiences.
He also discusses:
How he came up with the flow of the album related to phases of the trip
How much of a catalyst and safe container music can be, with or without a complimentary substance
How psychedelics in a fun, festival experience with lots of laughter can be extremely beneficial – you don't need to do them the 'correct' way
Graham Hancock, Donald Hoffman, and the concept of consciousness as the building block of all reality
Psytrance, classical music, traditional Bwiti music, Lady Gaga, and what music he feels is best for exploration