 Artist BIO
In an ever expanding world of available music, Levi Chen’s unique musical voice is instantly recognizable to any of the tens of thousands who have seen him play. He has just finished his 8th studio album “Devocean”, and is planning a “Live” CD + DVD package for release in 2008.
Levi performs on one of the newest and one of the oldest stringed instruments known to man: a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, and the Gu Zheng (Chinese Harp or Zither,) an ancient instrument played in China for 3,000 years. Levi’s ability to express himself on these two instruments is all the more remarkable in that he performs on them simultaneously, a technique he calls ‘Solo Duets.’
A mesmerizing and dynamic performer, with a gift for creating timeless music, Levi’s “Eastern Western” compositions provide sonic canvases for his signature guitar work and frequent improvisation. He is an innovative bandleader and Liquid Gardens (the band) is at it’s best in concert, creating a multi-media mystical experience.
Levi and the music he calls Liquid Gardens have been heard on over 350 radio stations, in over 30 countries. His intoxicating composition entitled “Play” is featured in the upcoming film “Childless” starring Joe Mantegna and Barbara Hershey. His music has been featured on national and international TV shows, such as “Friends” and “Dangerous Minds.”
Truly a world citizen, Levi has lived in 7 countries, and speaks 5 languages. A self described "Taoist Rasta Zen Cowboy & Indian Gypsy 007," he would rather be on stage than anywhere else. This desire, combined with his unique visual appeal, talent, and most importantly the music itself, has led him to perform and travel across the US, Europe and Asia.
“Levi creates expansive, smoky sonic atmospheres that bridge musical taste and history all at once.” CD Baby Review
“Levi Chen has concocted an East/West and further west fusion … beautifully fragile melodies draped in ethereal atmospheres.” ...
liquidgardens@gmail.com
Website: http://www.levichen.com |
NEWS
Levi Chen and Liquid Gardens have been nominated for a prestigious Los Angeles Music Award in the following categories: Best Instrumental Artist, Best Live Act, Best Album, and Best Music Video.
The song “DESIRED STRAITS” from the new album DEVOCEAN reached #13 on the STS (Spin Tracking System) AC/Hot AC Radio charts across the USA, and # 7 on the College Chart, and #8 on the Top 40 Indie Top 30 radio chart.
DEVOCEAN debuted at #3 on the July New Age Reporter Radio Charts.
Levi performed in front of 5,000 people, with the Everyone Orchestra, at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota, July 20, 2007. |
|
VIDEO SYNOPSYS
Traveling through an emotional wasteland of attachment to fear and sorrow, a musician stops to play his Erhu (chinese violin). Sleeping, ghost-like Butoh dancers, representing the world’s suffering, are awakened by the healing power of the music. A goddess pauses to let out a mournful lament of her unspeakable pain. Her cry calls forth the spirit of the musician, who arrives wielding his guitar, to set the sorrows free and liberate the soul, if only for a moment…
It can be seen as the personal transformation of a spiritual warrior in the musical realms…
“Compassion is the why, and the way of higher love…”
“This song was composed in response to the SARS epidemic. In the time before it was completed, “Tsunami” became an international word, and “Katrina” destroyed the lives of so many… It is dedicated to the victims and survivors of these natural disasters.
“Sorrow is the easiest place for humans to find compassion, and a direct link to a higher love. When we feel compassion, it is a reminder of all that is most noble in our souls, in humanity. But we must remember to not be attached to our sorrows, or our fears, for these too shall pass.
“Behind almost all sorrow lays fear. Fear is the single most defining element in our lives. Of Death. Of Pain. Of Loss. Of Love. Higher Love is the only answer to fear. None other is necessary.
“Music is perhaps one of the greatest ways we have to find compassion, and courage, in the face of this incredible juggernaut we call humanity, with all its sorrows and joys, fears and loves.
“I wrote this song while I was living in Portugal in 2003 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had broken out in Taiwan and China, and North America. This was the first time ever such an epidemic had come so close to my family and myself, as my Father had returned to Taiwan for some years. Father also had a severe lung condition at the time, though not related to SARS.
“I met Susan Dumett at Burning Man 2005, as I was performing at the Temple of Joy, to honor my father, Pi Chao Chen, who had passed away 6 months earlier. As soon as she began to sing, I realized the voice of this song was hers… and that the operatic voice, the crown jewel of western classical music, was not easily understood literally, thus providing a way for the song to remain non-literal, yet be understood by all.
“I hope you will appreciate the video, and encourage you to pass it on. I would like to thanx everyone who helped to manifest this project.
Levi Chen |
CREDITS
Directed by: Will Joines
Screenplay by:
Photography by:
Camera: Alison Kelly
Edited by: Roger Cohen
Music by: Levi Chen & Liquid Garden
Cast:
Levi Chen
Susan Dumett
Corpus Delicti Dance Company
Heyward Bracey
Lainie Liberti
Danda Santos
Ana Baer
Joe Talkington
Lara Lemmi & Jacqueline Westhead
Prodution: Danny Gallagher
Master: Mini DV
|
|
