E9: Nature-Inspired Music with Alific and Man of the Forests
How does spending time outdoors influence music?
For Brendan Dane (Alific), the call of the Loons from his childhood in New England inspired an entire song. Derek Waldmann (his last name translates to Man of the Forests) grew up in Colorado with parents who managed a garden center, so trees and plants have always been a core part of his identity. Alific and Man of the Forests together are a force of nature. One of their soon-to-be released collaborations is called Green Hillz, and we feature the music on the show. When they shared it for the first time, it was love at first note. With Alific on guitar and Man of the Forests on violin, this instrumental tune takes listeners on a musical journey through all four seasons. In this episode, we chat about their adventures on and off the trail, how time spent in nature inspires their music, and what they're creating in 2023.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Alific is music producer and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Dane who artistically combines reggae-influenced grooves with an electronic execution to create a unique musical experience. Learn more about Alific and check out his music at alificmusic.com
The violin has always been a part of Derek Waldmann aka Man of the Forests. As a young child, he was influenced by John Tesh and the partnering of Charlie Bisharat on the electric violin. He attended their Live at Red Rocks show in 1995 and when the violin shimmered in, he knew it was his life’s journey to create the magic that comes with this mystical instrument. The sounds quickly captivated Derek. His mother and father gifted his first violin at 6 years old and he would soon learn to improvise and play by ear, rather than learn to read music. It was evident that he and this instrument belonged together. Learn more about Derek and check out his music at manoftheforests.com
IN THIS EPISODE:
How has nature influenced Brendan and Derek’s music?
How did Green Hillz come about?
Brendan’s words of wisdom from an adventure in New Zealand
What to look forward to in 2023!
CONNECT WITH BRENDAN + DEREK:
Follow Alific on Instagram
Follow Alific on Spotify
LISTEN HERE:
SHOW TRANSCRIPT:
Please note, we use Otter.ai to transcribe episodes and while the technology is impressive, it’s not completely accurate. Please excuse any missed words, nonsensical sentences, and missed interpretations of foreign language below:
Announcer 00:00
Since 1984, sell your has existed to support your wildest adventures. Learn about their advanced insect repellents and family of technical Lightweight Water filters at Sawyer.com. Welcome to Wellness in the Wilderness. Come with us on the trail of life as we inspire you to take a step outdoors to disconnect from the distractions and reconnect with yourself. Sydney Williams in our guests will motivate you to get active and get well. Now, here is Sydney.
Sydney Williams 00:37
All right, everybody, welcome to Wellness in the Wilderness. I'm your host Sydney Williams, author and founder of Hiking My Feelings and today I'm broadcasting live from the ancestral lands of the Tongva people now known as Avalon, California on Catalina Island. Hey, oh. So this week, we I am really excited that we're here on Catalina because that's just awesome. And we moved here on a Monday. So now I count Mondays when I write the Wellness in the Wilderness newsletter. I'm like, Okay, we've been here for three Monday. So we've been here for two full weeks. And I gotta say it is everything I dreamed of. And then some as far as island life goes, I absolutely love it. And we are doing some really cool things out here. And we'll be talking more about that next week. We have a big announcement on next week's episode and today's guest Samuel J was supposed to be here to talk about conservation efforts and his music. And unfortunately he had a travel snafu and is currently flying home from Sundance, so he is unable to join us this week. But we are postponing his episode and rescheduling it so stay tuned for that. And in the absence of Samuel, I get to bump up two of my favorite humans on this planet. So if you guys are loving the music for the show as much as I am, then today's your lucky day because you get to talk with and hear from the musicians that have made this music possible. So today's show we are speaking with Alific aka Brandon Dane and Man of the Forests aka Derek Waldmann. Alific is a music producer and multi instrumentalist who artistically combines reggae influenced grooves with an electronic execution to create a unique musical experience. And the violin has always been a part of Derek Waldmann, aka Man of the Forest. As a young child, he was influenced by John Tesh and the partnering of some Charlie guy on electric violin that whose last name I'm gonna butcher, he attended their show at live at Red Rocks in 1995. And when the violin shimmered, he knew it was his life's journey. To create the magic that comes with this mystical instrument. We're going to talk to both of them about Green Hills, which is the track that they so generously allowed us to use before it was even released. And we're gonna talk about their adventures how nature inspires their music, and we're gonna go from there. So Hey, fellas, welcome to the show.
Alific 02:51
Hello, hello.
Sydney Williams 02:53
Hey, oh my gosh. So this summer, I'm just gonna like set the story up for folks that might not be following us on the internet. And all the like, love stories that I've written about this track so far. But so everybody picture this. You're in like a bungalow in Pacific Beach, San Diego. And it's like the coolest house you've ever seen. And we're in a studio in this house. And I'm sitting on the stairs. And Brendan plays his track. And he's like, Hey, man, does it sound like Titanic or an Irish jig like music you would die to? Or like something you might hear in Boston on St. Patrick's Day at a bar? And I was like, How about neither? It sounds like four seasons of nature. And Derek was like, ding ding, ding. That's the right answer. That's what we were going for. So from the second that I heard this on, like, literally guys opening chords, I was like, I looked at Barry and I was like, we must have this song. The world must hear it. Wellness in the Wilderness will not go on if we don't have this track to be the soundtrack of the show. So here we are episode nine. We've been blessing 1000s of listeners with this tune. It's unreleased. The first thing I want to talk about guys is how nature inspires your music. And Brendan, I'd like to start with you, Brendan, for folks who don't know grew up in New England. And his most obvious I think connection to nature and inspiration that he's drawn from his time outside is a song called Loons where it quite literally has the sounds of loons, which if you haven't heard a loon go Google it. It's one of my favorite sounds on the planet that comes from an animal that and an elk bugling talk to me a little bit about your life. Brendon, and how nature has inspired your music.
Alific 04:36
Yeah. Well, the loon Yeah, the loon has always been one of my favorite sounds from New Hampshire. I grew up on a lot. I didn't grow up on the lake, but I got a lake house. And ever since his kid, I always love the sound. We'd always go out as a family and listen to these loons go. I mean, I can't even replicate it. I'm not even going to do it. But it's the coolest it's the coolest sound I've ever heard, like, as animals talk to each other, and I just Yeah, I guess from, from their it kind of, I've always wanted to do a song with it. And that's what kind of a song from Loon came from. I actually recorded it with my iPhone, sitting out there on a sunset one night. And then I was like, Oh, this was the hip hop beat would be cool. And anyway, that's, that's where that went from. But, ya know, always loved nature. I, my parents kind of always forced me and I went to summer camp, hiking as a kid grew up in the woods. I mean, I grew up in, actually, I grew up in Ohio. But all my friends lived in town I lived like in the actual woods, where my playground was picking up a stick and running through the woods. So yeah, it was always, it's always been a huge part of my life, and kind of where I've found my playground as a kid. I mean, I never, I wasn't allowed, actually, my mom probably didn't want me to go out with other people. So I kind of just stuck to the woods. And it was cool, because I always thought like a stick could become so much. So much of a toy. I didn't have to have video games. It could be a bazooka. It could be a bow and arrow, it could be a spear, it could be a catapult thing, like anything. So I always, always loved it. I always love the outdoors.
Sydney Williams 06:32
Well, I like how you like because when I'm out hiking, and I think probably more so in the last five years since we've been doing Hiking My Feelings almost five years, and our friendships that we've developed with musicians like you guys like now when I'm out hiking, if I like have my trekking poles and it hits a rock a certain way, or hits a log a certain way, I'm like, Oh, I'd like I like the tone of that sound. And so that was one of the things that I really liked about your music, because I was like, Oh my gosh, the sound of this wind whistling through the leaves would make like a really sick sound on a song. And then like, here's a song with an actual bird sample. Like that's the kind of stuff like there's a lot of people that sing about nature. There's a lot of people that like, use nature to inspire lyrics, or like it might have anything to do with nature of the song itself. But it was like in a natural space where the inspiration came and where it was written or whatever. But like, I love the literal inclusion of nature in the music. So thank you for giving us some background on that. Derek, you grew up in Colorado, your parents own a garden center, your last name translates to Man of the Forests, you're a plant Daddy, tell me a little bit about how nature has always been like, it's I mean, it's a core part of your identity, your muse, your musical name is Man of the Forests. So walk us through that a little bit how nature has been important to you and inspires your music?
Man of the Forests 07:53
Yeah. Ever since I was a kid just growing up in Colorado, going to we used to called the rocks and water just going out and like playing in the water. And I remember my mom would always be like, bring the violin and in play in nature, you know, it's it's a beautiful thing. So ever since I was a kid, I would bring my my violin out. And yeah, like, I don't know, I I've always been super closely connected with. With plants in nature. I just found so much inspiration from it. So later on, you know, being able to connect with Alific. We, our second track ever was a song called Deep where we have this, you know, kind of instrumental jam going, but it felt very water forward, it felt like a very water song. So we included water in the track in the beginning and the middle and the end and to be connecting with the Alific. You know, to play some of the reggae stuff is is always great. And then to have these instrumental nature inspired songs, like Deep, like his song Loon. He has another song called Down the Road where he's like, you know, you can hear like the water trickling on the van. I feel very blessed to be able to integrate it and give it out to the rest of the world. Because, you know, as a kid, you do it. You know, just for fun and for inspiration. So to give it back to the world. I'm very grateful to have this connection with Brendan.
Sydney Williams 09:25
Oh my god, you guys are so cute. So Derek and Alific met at a music festival. You guys met it closer to the sun, correct?
Man of the Forests 09:31
We did. Yeah. So
Sydney Williams 09:34
Derek has this like magical ability to just find ways to add value. This is what Derek does. Derek's like I like this music. I have a violin. This scene desperately needs this layer of emotion. So you got linked up with Alific as a fan. And now here you are jamman making magic you guys are living together You're roommates. You're adventure buddies like, what? What is it been like to navigate exactly what you just said, like, my introduction to both of you was on the reggae side of things. And then through that I learned about these instrumental tracks that are so captivating and really reflect the experiences that you've had in nature. What has it been like to move in that direction? Was that something you were interested in doing? Derek before you met Alific? And or were you already creating music of that kind yourself? Or was this translation of nature into music? Was that more of something that you guys kind of jumped in on together?
Man of the Forests 10:41
I think I have always been trying to do that. But I just didn't have the tools in the in the knowledge and with the Alific's, I mean, background, he's been doing music, his whole life, audio engineering, and producing and he's so skilled with with what he does. So yes, I've always been able to play stuff, but to integrate it, and bring something to the next level. Doing that with Alific. You know, we combine forces and I remember the first time we met, you know, is like, Hey, dude, I play violin. I love jammin to your music. And he was like, Dude, I have a song right now that I want to put violin on. And that ended up being our first song. It's called Hotep, which in translation means to be at peace. And the beginning of it is just like a glorious intro and then it comes in and it just comes out this funky vibe. So yeah, I mean, I feel like we've always been on the right path. But once we connected forces, it's like we brought each other to the to the next level as far as what we could do with our instruments.
Sydney Williams 11:45
Yes. Oh, Brendan. So on our next little chunk of time after our first commercial, we're going to talk about your trip to New Zealand. But before we break, I'd love for you to kind of set up what went into this massive expedition that you took yourself on last summer. There's like 40 days, you're like all over the island doing everything. What were the conditions that led to that trip? And what kind of planning did you do to be able to go have that kind of experience?
Alific 12:17
But we were doing that now?
Sydney Williams 12:19
Yeah, just set it up. Like let's talk about the trip. And then when we go to want to come back from commercial, we'll get into like some of the actual stories from it.
Alific 12:25
Well, I guess it was kind of, it's been a bucket list trip forever. I mean, I think since college, I always when I heard about one person that went went on a camping, you know, camping van in New Zealand, I was like, I want to do that. And I always heard that. You don't want to do it for a week, you want to do it for a month or 40 days, you want to do both islands. And so I've always just been waiting for a time to do it. And with jobs working nine to five, you know, full time, it's always been impossible, pretty much. And then I saw a window of opportunity. I was just like, boom, I'm gonna do it.
Sydney Williams 13:05
I love that. So a couple of things that we're going to be chatting about when we get back from the break one, this song Green Hills. I'd love to chat a little bit about actually, let's just do that. Now. Where were you? How did this get set up? Like what what is Green Hills. And for folks that are listening, I was hoping that we would be able to play it for you live today on the broadcast, but unfortunately, we're unable to. So you're just going to have to wait and we'll talk about when it's coming out. And we'll talk about when you can hear it. And when we go to commercial you can like hear the guitar and the violin underneath the VO but guys tell me about Green Hills where you were when you created it and how it came to life?
Man of the Forests 13:44
Yeah, I think Alific always had the, the jam down like the guitar worked down. And I think if the story is correct, Brendan, you were playing it for years. That guitar riff you know, with your friends and stuff. And it has like a little it has this really strange kind of eerie part to it that that it goes to that nobody really knew what to do with. So as soon as he played it one time, I remember we just sort of like sitting on the couch and it just boom it just like we knew it was it was something right then. Right. You know, right, Brendan?
Alific 14:20
Yeah. Yeah, it was. I mean, it was like, I guess half born until Derek started playing violin on it. And that's where it really just became alive. Like it was just kind of a backyards, you know, fire escape jam for years, and then yeah, it was just when me and Derek play. It's kind of a just it's so it's so easy. Like you just play something is just like that's perfect. And that's essentially what it was. It was just like, yeah, that's it. That's it.
Man of the Forests 14:56
Yeah, I remember to like a couple of times when we were playing and it you know, we started, started playing it, we just kind of came up with the format and like Sydney said it, it has the four seasons part. So when you listen to the full song, it kind of goes through four, it goes through the song four times, but in in four different ways. And, you know, we remember like hanging out in Colorado out by Red Rocks and in jammin that song and I felt like we were like, in the mystic of it like, I don't know, there's just something so powerful about actually playing it outdoors together in that moment. Yeah, just really, like tied it all together in a way, you know?
Sydney Williams 15:37
Yes. Oh, I love it. All right, cool. So when we get back from the break, we're going to talk about some of the adventures that Brendan had on his massive expedition through New Zealand. quotable when he got home, he was like, so like, you know, I mean, we're friends we know what you do. Hiking My Feelings but like, I get it now. Like I understand what Hiking My Feelings means. So Brendan if you're open to it. When we get back, I'd love for you to tell the story about the waterfall and the cave. And that. And Derek is one of the musicians that we've had at three of our retreats now one on Catalina Island in fall of 2021. And or no two retreats and one of our Sequoia retreats last summer. So when we get back we'll talk about the retreats that we do and kind of catch up with Derek about how that impacts him and his ability to uplift. He says it's a gift to uplift. And we'll hear some stories of adventures and misadventures in New Zealand with Brendan when we get back. Don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with Brendan and Derek.
Announcer 16:56
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Sydney Williams 19:40
All right, everybody. Welcome back to Wellness the Wilderness. I'm your host Sydney Williams and I'm here with Brendan and Derek and if you were on the zoom right now you would understand my giggles when the music comes back. And we hear their songs they're like playing via like air guitaring and air violin. And it just brings me such joy. I'm really like it's so one point, I hope I get to hear and be in the room when the song is played live because I've only ever heard the song played in the studio, which I'm not mad about. But I'd also like really like to feel, feel the vibrations in a live setting. So before the break, we were talking about Green Hills, the song that we use for the show, and the four seasons of just instrumental goodness that it carries. And towards the end of the show will tell you when you get to hear that for real, because it's not going to be today. And we'll talk about the upcoming album and all the cool things you guys got going on. But before the break, we were talking about how Brendan went on this massive expedition around New Zealand. And when he got home, he was like, Guys, I get it, Hiking My Feelings. Like that's what I was doing. I was Hiking My Feelings like I understand. And so one of the my favorite stories that Brendan shared, and I'm sure he has some that he hasn't shared with us, and maybe he'll like pull one of those out today. But Brendan tell us about your cave hike. And also let's just set this up. So you went to New Zealand in like September, October last year or October, November.
Alific 21:02
Yeah. Pretty much full month of October. Yeah.
Sydney Williams 21:05
Okay. And so for and for anybody that doesn't know, this shows broadcasting from the United States of America, but on the other side of the planet down below, Down Under, as they say, The seasons are opposite. So we were coming into fall here in the United States. And you were embodying all the glory that is spring in New Zealand, right?
Alific 21:25
Yes, yes.
Sydney Williams 21:26
So what happens on spring in New Zealand, it rains So you had this hike picked out so you picked out like some pretty iconic hikes for New Zealand like you were looking through blogs, you were looking through different recommendations. Tell us about the hike through the cave that you lived to tell about.
Alific 21:29
alot of rain, a lot of rain. Yeah, I showed up and it was pouring. Probably the most rain I've ever seen in my life. And I got in the van on the on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the road, and very narrow, windy roads. And it was it was a test. I remember the first couple hours I almost was like crying. I was like, did I make the right decision here? Like I'm I'm white knuckle driving. And I just I mean, I can't even see out the window. The window wipers won't even go fast enough. You know, it's that much rain. And and I'm like going around these turns that are just one lane roads that you can't even see around. And it was it was a drop in the you know, I don't even know. But yeah, it was. It was absolutely amazing. But yeah, I I went from I mean, I love hiking. But I think in the past year prior to that I went on like maybe three or four hikes. And then in New Zealand, I was hiking every single day. That's all I cared about. That's all I went for. And yeah, it was one of those things where we've been friends. I've read your book, I knew all about you. But it was just one time it was like this where they're talking about just hiking, through it hiking, everything everything's fine when you're on the trail and you're hiking you're you figure you get the time and space yourself and you can just like literally figure meditate almost while you're walking and figure out so much stuff about yourself and your issues that you got to deal with and your whatever challenges you got to face and yeah, loved it. Love. Well, that was actually one that I had absolutely no looking up. I didn't experience I didn't look up this hike at all. I don't even know what it's called. I gotta look it back up. But it was it was a random hike. And it was just I saw I was driving on the road. It was a beautiful day out I was in a great mood. I saw this thing that said caves. And I was like cool. And I guess I had looked at it. I'd seen it I kind of knew about it. But like it looked the pictures I saw was like kids and families in this cave. And so when I saw the cave, I was like, oh, that's the cave. And I went in parked went down and a bunch of people were coming up from the cave and they were in and it's about a mile long. And I was like what's going on down there? They're like Oh, the rivers going through you can't get through. You can't get past the opening. And I just got back from this four day hike in the rain where I was up to my knees in rain gear so I kind of had this like ego to me where I was like I can get through this. No biggie what are these idiots they don't even know how to hike in the rain. And I mean me I don't know either. So I went back up to my van got on my rain gear from head to toe and then ventured in this cave blacked out cave. And it was like within probably two minutes I got through. I was not touching the ground. I was swimming. I mean to my neck. In water, and the river, there's a river flowing through the cave. And I was kind of like, you know, grabbing the sides of the cave. And I kept thinking like, this just be a little bit like, you know, whatever little wet, no big deal. And it just kept going and going and going and going. And there are waterfalls, you had to climb up, I was using muscles I didn't even know I had, I mean, like you're doing I'm doing pull ups in a wet rock. And it got to be kind of scary at one point where I was about half, half an hour in where I knew. If my headlamp went out, which was Derek's headlamp, we talked about that. But Derek gave me this headlamp before I went to New Zealand. And it was a little it was like, slightly too big for me. So it was kind of like, hanging over my eye like an, like, a pirate patch, you know, in a way, and I didn't even check the batteries. I didn't know like how long it was gonna last. And, and yeah, it was getting it was getting scary to the point where I was like, I can't make it up. You know, these waterfalls, and a couple of them. I was like, I can't make it up. And I did. And I tried and I actually made it up. And then and ended up getting about the middle of the cave. There's this waterfall that was impassable unless you had ropes. And you were a professional rock climber, which I was not and am not and had no rope. And there are these guy I saw these. I saw these other lights up top and they they were like, Hey, mate, and they were these two professional I mean, jacked six pack, muscle dudes, rock climbers, and they were like, you want a rope night? And I was like, Yeah, I'll get in a rope, you know, and they literally gave me rope. i They helped me like, hold up, you know, and when I got to them, I was like, I'm really sorry, I'm just gonna hang out with you guys. The rest of the time. I don't know what's going on. Like, I don't know why they're like, how did you get here? How'd you get this far? And I was like, I don't know. I thought it was shorter. Anyway. So I ended up luckily going with them the rest of the time. And I mean, even got like, toward the end when I saw the light of sunlight coming through. I was like, oh my god, like I kept asking them I was like, Is it almost over? And I remember they were like, maybe and I was like maybe? oh my gosh, this is this is ridiculous. And I had also bungee jumped a couple days before that I thought was the scariest thing in my life. And then this was like, majorly scary. And my shoelace was getting untied. Like I kept having to like tie my shoes in underwater, which I've never really done before. But yeah, word to the wise never go into a cave alone. And don't tell anyone. I mean, I didn't tell anyone. No one knew I was in this cave. There was no the only thing they could have done was saw my car that was parked there if I would have got stuck, but made it out. And these guys are cool as ever. And yeah, they thought I was crazy. Which I might have been.
Sydney Williams 28:07
I well, I think there's so as far as like wellness in the wilderness is concerned, right? Like, let's tie this back to the show. So you made it. And one of the things that I heard you say that I'd like to hear a little bit more about is like, the just terror of realizing like, Okay, I've climbed up some waterfalls, I've swam through this cave. This one's massive, like how, how close to like pooping your pants were you. When you got to the point before like right before you saw the guys with ropes. Like where were you? Like, have you ever been that nervous or scared or present in your body and aware of what's happening as you were? Right before you realize that there were angels climbing with ropes on that waterfall?
Alific 28:59
Yeah. No, I never been in that situation before in my life. But there was something in the back of my brain that always is kind of like today's the day Today's I'm not going out today. Like it's I'm not gonna die. So I just kept going and I was like, I can get through it. And like, I kind of always have to do, you know, backup plans where I was like, Alright, if the light goes out, if I do slip, I might break a couple bones but I'll like sweep down in the river back into the opening like I won't actually die today. Today's not the day for me. So there's kind of that feeling that kind of gets you through. But yeah,
Man of the Forests 29:44
because usually your motto is today is the day which is such a saying. So I liked that you flipped it around.
Alific 29:53
Today's the day for goodness, exactly days, not the day to end it. Exactly. Yeah, yeah. And that's kinda Yeah, I was like, today's the day I'm gonna I'm gonna make it through. I'm gonna make it through. But yeah, it's it kind of it's, it's an it's it's a beautiful feeling when you when you get to do stuff like that by yourself, because you get to, you know, no one else is pushing you. No one else is telling you to turn back. If I was with anyone, I swear to God, anyone in my life, no one would have gone into that cave. Like no one, none of my friends would have said, Let's go in that cave. And so I'm glad I did, because it was super fun and an experience, you know, you know, but very scary at the same time. And I won't do it again. I won't do a cave, a cave alone just is not a good idea. Especially nonprofessional with no ropes, or anything but but it is you break through some some stuff in your own in your own wellness in your own. Your own life, you get through it, where you where you can also kind of reflect it back to your own life of problems. You're like, this is an impossible, it's like no, you'll, you'll get through the cave.
Sydney Williams 31:15
Yeah, yeah.
Alific 31:17
You might find some angel with with a rope where you didn't, you know, or you. You don't want to go back. But you know, you can, like you know, you know, you know, it's not the end, you know, but you kind of keep pushing and pushing and pushing. And then stuff like that happens in real life. It's like a perfect motto for life.
Sydney Williams 31:38
Yeah, what a beautiful metaphor. So like, bring a buddy when you go in a cave, but if you find yourself alone, just keep swimming. And keep keep? Yeah. Oh, man. Well, I'm glad that you that you had that experience that you got to share it with everybody because it makes a great story. So thank you, Derek, for you. I know we had you join us for a retreat on Catalina Island. And we talked about that on our other show, not on Wellness in the Wilderness. But we talked a little bit about your gift to uplift. So talk to the folks and tell these listeners a little bit about your experience in Sequoia National Park last summer with us and how that went for you and what it was like to play your music be the Man of the Forests in the giant forest? Walk us through it? Yeah. Wow, I was just so grateful to go out there, I haven't really been out to a lot of the national parks in California, and Sequoia, Yosemite are kind of like the big two. And so to be amongst the big trees was such an experience. I've seen redwoods before but the sequoias biggest trees in the world. And it was just absolutely unbelievable. Just to be there in the first place. But we stayed in the heart of it. We're right in the middle, right by General Sherman, the biggest of the biggest, and there's just a very magical feeling in that forest. So to be able to come out and bring the violin to talk to people on a one to one level, and bring that gift to them. But then also they're giving the gift back and in these environments and Hiking My Feelings where you're learning about yourself through other people through their stories and healing with them. And that's just such a magical experience. I just felt like Sequoia was one of those places that you know, you'll never forget and the fact that we got to stay in the National Forest, we did a service activity where we're healing the meadows and we're basically like filling these meadows with the abundance of grass and stuff around us. I remember, you know, the waters carving through the meadow and over time it was it was kind of carving a ditch through it. So we had this reforestation act where we're filling the meadow and I remember you kind of brought You're always so good at tying in what's happening what we're doing in nature, you know, we're filling it, filling that gap back up and, and healing that Meadow was just such an important thing with the glory around us it was it was a magical experience. But to be able to stand on the rock with the group and and play those songs collectively for everybody. It was really some memorable moments that were so healing to me and to everybody else. So Hiking My Feelings just always bringing full force with with tying everything together. What you guys do is so special. I'm so grateful to be a part of it on Catalina Sequoia and on on upcoming trips. I'm just really grateful to be a part of this this mission that you guys are on. Well thank you and for folks that aren't aware. We do have two retreats coming up this summer in Sequoia National Park. We have one in July. And one in August and those dates can be found on our website at hikingmyfeelings.org/retreats and the service project that Derek was talking about in like bringing the music to it is what like my ultimate vision like the retreat that Derek was a part of last summer was my bucket list retreat that I wanted to host because when I got off the Trans Catalina Trail in 2018, here on Catalina Island now the first call I made was to the Catalina Conservancy, and I was like, Listen, I want to help get the word out, I was healed deeply by this land, how can I repay it? Like how can I pay this forward, and to be able to do what we did in Sequoia with the service projects where we're talking for ourselves, the healing that we're doing as humans and in community with each other. And amongst these giant trees that have been there for 1000s of years, and I've heard so many stories, we're talking about, like our invasive thoughts, and our limiting beliefs and these, these habits that put these deep grooves in our brain. And then we're going out in the meadow using the materials that are already there to then plug these drainage ditches and these erosion ditches. So we're healing the lands to help you last. And then on top of that, what Derek was talking about, about standing out on the rock, we had this beautiful sunset jam on Sunset Rock. We were all just facing the sun and standing there and like Derek's playing the violin, and it's just absolute magic. And it was a bucket list moment for me like I was just I think I'm pretty sure I did cry. Yep, I did. And we were like, we're all holding hands. And we're like facing the sunset. And we're doing the thing where we yell, but we don't yell. And then we like the yell, but with our mouths closed, and then we like let it rip. And it was just like, and now in those moments before, during and after, with violin with and like Brendan when I hear you guys play guitar, when I hear you you two in particular jamming like there's something so special about, like the vibration of the music, and I don't know enough about it to talk about it eloquently. But maybe when we get back from the break, we can chat about that. So when we get back and before we go, if you are grateful. Here's what I want to do. On this last section, we're going to talk to Derek and Brendan about everything they've got coming up in 2023, where you can catch them live when Alific's next albums coming out what Derek's working on. And then we're going to do something that we do at all of our events, which is our group gratitude circle. So we're gonna kick it off, we're gonna go around the circle and share what we're grateful for. And if you're listening and you want to call in if you have a question for the guys call in and ask, if you don't, I would love to hear what you're grateful for. So you can call us at 1-888-346-9141 and that number will be played again before we come back. So don't go anywhere. Think about what you're grateful for. And then give us a call. We'll be right back.
Announcer 37:49
Follow us on Twitter at voice America TR and get the lowdown on guests you shows and your favorites. That's voice America trn ready to find your wellness in the wilderness. Look no further than Hiking My Feelings. Through a combination of community and self discovery. Our programs are designed to give you the space and support to connect lifestyles. If you're looking to figure out who you are underneath the stories you've been given, and are ready to redesign the map of where you're headed with actionable steps and opportunities to dream big. We're here to walk alongside you. Whether you're a seasoned adventure enthusiast, or brand new to the healing power of nature. We've got your back. Visit hikingmyfeelings.org today to download our free trail thoughts worksheets, and learn more about Hiking My Feelings. Sawyer is more than an outdoor company. Every solar product you buy, contributes to our common humanity, bringing Sawyer water filtration systems to people in need all around the world. In just 2022 alone. 260,000 households in over 45 countries received clean drinking water through Sawyer filters. Over the past 10 years, we've teamed up with over 140 charities in 80 countries to provide long term sustainable relief, domestically, internationally and in disaster situations. Together we're saving millions of lives. Thank you. Have you ever spoken unkind to yourself? Do you realize when you do are you ready to make changes but find yourself completely paralyzed by the choices in front of you. We live in a hyperconnected always on world. And frankly, it's exhausting. Let's make time to disconnect from the distractions and reconnect with yourself. Hiking My Feelings exists to help people discover the healing power of nature. kickstart your healing journey and grab a copy of the book that started our movement, Hiking My Feelings, Stepping into the Healing Power of Nature, named one of Audible's best hiking audiobooks and available wherever books are sold. Visit hikingmyfeelings.org today to learn more. It's your world, motivate, change, succeed. Voice America empowerment.com You're listening to Wellness in the Wilderness with Sydney Williams. Have a question for Sydney and her guests. Join us on the show at 888-346-9141. That's 888-346-9141. Now back to the show with Sydney.
Sydney Williams 40:37
All right party people. Welcome back to Wellness in the Wilderness. I'm your host, Sydney Williams and I'm here with Alific aka Brendan Dane and Man of the Forests, aka Derek Waldmann. And before the break, we were talking about some of the adventures they've had some of the activities that we've done together as far as bringing music and nature and healing and hiking together. And we've got a new album coming out. And by we I mean Alific. I don't I'm not a musician. I'm not part of this. But these guys, Alific's got a new album coming out. So Brendan, tell us a little bit about what we can expect on this new record and what is coming up as far as ways for people to consume it live and digitally.
Alific 41:18
Yeah. So superpsyched, the new elliptic album will be released. It's called Write it on the Wall. And it's coming out March 23 2023. And, yeah, it's one of my, I think, my best I've ever I've ever produced. In terms of songwriting, guests, people on there. There's a lot more vocals and singing, but still some instrumental jammers that that I've always loved doing. And yeah, so March 23. The first single to be released is with Aaron Wolf, my buddy from San Diego. And that's coming out on February, I go off third February 3, so I'm going to announce that this is actually the first time I'm going to announce that it's even coming out but February 3, that's going to be released. And then we have a album release show at Winston's in San Diego on March 30. Which will be a week after the album's dropped. So hopefully, everyone can kind of get their bearings on what songs they like and sing alongs and stuff and and then we'll be playing it playing it all live at Winston's and really psyched because we're gonna have done live stuff before with live musicians. But this will be the first full live band I've ever done as Alific. So I'm super psyched about that.
Sydney Williams 42:49
Oh my gosh, that's so cool. So what can you like, for people that have never made music before? What like kinda on a, like, probably higher level, like, we don't need to get super technical with it. But like, walk me through the process of putting this album in particular together? Like how long does that take? What are the steps that you have to do to get an album together and then ready to release to the world?
Alific 43:16
Um, I guess you kind of have to just be confident in yourself that the songs are done. That's the biggest thing that I have. Because I mean, I hundreds of songs, but they're all like, I'm never they're not done until you're kind of like that one's done. You know? No more tambourine. No more shaker. No more extra thing. Like, you have to be like it's done. So this one's taken me quite a while it's been it's been about three years. I mean, with the COVID thing kind of backed up stuff. But um, yeah, this one's this one's been in the cooker for quite a while with in some songs or even like, I got one with a guy named Bobby Hustle that I wrote back in 2014. So like, some songs are just just getting the daylight. But, you know, everything happens for a reason. So they're, they weren't ready until until then. Anyway, but But yeah,
Sydney Williams 44:14
sounds like let's uh, let's take a that's yeah, we got a caller. We got Craig McKnight. Yeah, Craig Craig McKnight. Thanks for calling in. What's up, man?
Caller 44:25
Hey, how's it going? Party people. Hey,
Sydney Williams 44:29
so for anybody that doesn't know Craig McKnight is the owner proprietor and deliverer of the best muffins you've ever had via Mffin But Good Vibes. And if you were on the Zoom today, you would see that I am wearing my brand new flannel for the acoustic sessions. So Craig, what how can we help you? What's up, man?
Caller 44:48
Um, I was just, you know, thinking I would call in since you were talking to these fine fellows over here.
Sydney Williams 44:56
Do you do you have a question or something that you're grateful for that you'd like to share? What's the what's the listening audience and Derek and Brendan?
Caller 45:04
Yeah, well, I obviously want to say I'm grateful for the friendship that I have with, with yourself Sydney and and your husband, Barry. You guys have become very, very close friends. For those that don't know, uh, Alific is one of our sound engineers for the acoustics sessions. So of course, I wholeheartedly appreciate that guy. And then, you know, I'm waiting for that moment that Derek gets to grace, our backyard and play violin on one of the sessions, which I'm sure will happen soon.
Sydney Williams 45:42
Yes, yes, that shall happen. I love it. Oh, my gosh. Well, Craig, I'm gonna I'm gonna throw that gratitude right back at you. I am grateful for your friendship. I'm grateful for your creativity and your community leadership. I'm grateful for all the opportunities that you create for people to make great music and get their music out there via just one more deliciously sweet vehicle, which is the Muffin But Good Vibes Acoustic Sessions. The thing that I'm most grateful for Craig is above and beyond everything else. I think it's your daughter, Dakota. She's like one of my favorite people. And it's a hard toss up between the muffins and my little mini me. But between that and the friends you create and bring into the world and everything you've done for Hiking My Feelings. I am grateful to know you. So thank you for sharing.
Caller 46:32
Thank you, Sydney.
Sydney Williams 46:34
All right. Thank you, okay. Lets move into a conversation about putting an album out. So you've got this album, it's coming. And we are gearing up for a release on March 23. We're going to have a party on the 30th. And when you sit down to write music, like so, okay, let's rewind When I sit down to write books. I think about like, I literally did this this morning. I was like, How will I prepare for this and I like visualized my sat down to write it. I was like, okay, Kelly Clarkson show. And she asks me, like, when my book is a best seller. It's not yet, but when it is. And Kelly Clarkson has me on the show. And she's like, Hey, girlfriend. Tell me about your creative process. What was it? Like? I said that I wanted it to be the easiest thing that I've ever done, that the book just poured out of me and it was super cathartic. And then that's exactly what happened. Do you go through any kind of rituals as you're making music or as you're getting ready to release music that help you stay grounded in your expansion as you bring new music to the world
Alific 47:41
I mean, I have a lot of lists. I guess I do for like I mean making you know making an album is not just once you get done with the music, which is the majority of it, then you have everything else you got artwork, you got to dice you got release date you got you know promotion, you got all this other stuff that comes in hand so I I have to make less on like what to do once the music's done but and even with music I have I have a whiteboard and if you can see it but I don't have anything I erased at all now because I'm done with the album. But each song has I usually have like graphs of stuff that says what I need to do for each song whether it's you know, just cleaning up the drums add the mix, add blah, blah blah add vocals add violin makes it a little better master it. So that's kind of my preparation but in terms of right, starting a song, usually the start is a is a is a match of a flame, it's just a fire like I'll be not even wanting to start on a new song I'll be doing another song and I find a sample or something that sparks an idea and I just close what I'm doing. And I start the new song. And that's generally how they all work or I'll be playing something I play it wrong. And I'm like well actually, that's cool. And then it's like scratch everything I'm doing start a new thing. So usually it always it's it's a flame of inspiration that just I don't know where it comes from, but But you always have to like strike on it as its hot or else Or else you lose it or you forget about it or something.
Sydney Williams 49:24
Absolutely. And Derek for you. Similar kind of question. We've been talking about how albums are made and beyond the album. Some of the rituals and or like visualizations we do at least I think of my book as my music. Do you have any kind of like rituals or superstitious type things that you do when you're getting ready to either contribute to a song or write a song or release a new track?
Man of the Forests 49:52
Yeah, I just really tried to feel the song and I try not to rush the process. Uh, it's kind of like writing like it can come in full force sometimes and poor view. And sometimes it's just not the right day. So I really try to pay attention to when the flow is really happening. on this album, it was kind of funny because Brendan would have me step in the studio, like 10 minutes before working, I would just like snap off all these vocals for the songs.
Alific 50:23
Like, on the fly,
Man of the Forests 50:27
yeah, sometimes just trying to pay attention to when the feeling is right is really is really the crucial thing for me.
Sydney Williams 50:35
So for both of you, before we wrap up today, do you have any quick tips for people that you can share about how you find your version of Wellness in the Wilderness? Like what is it for you? Is it going to the beach for a walk? Is it sitting underneath a tree? Is it watering your plants? Like what is what is a quick way that you guys find wellness and your version of the wilderness? Whatever the wilderness means to you?
Man of the Forests 51:02
Yeah, go ahead. Be I mean, you got the you walk all the time.
Alific 51:07
Yeah, yeah, my, my favorite ritual is just morning walk on the beach. I mean, I sometimes I, I wake up somehow getting my feet in the sand out of my shoes. And out of flip flops and actually toes in the sand. I find if I'm ever stressed about anything, it disappears. The second my feet hit the sand. And it's one of my favorite moments. Just listen to music walking on the beach. And to me when I get in that nature feel of Earth on my feet and toes. Something just erases and I and I'm just present in the moment and appreciating life. And which is the point of life and you know, anyway, so that's, that's my favorite thing. That's my go to and the easiest way I can do it is just I live in San Diego. I'm very fortunate to be able to walk on the beach but that's my that's my easiest go to
Sydney Williams 52:09
love that.
Man of the Forests 52:10
I think the key is grounding like you're getting like he's getting your feet in the earth. Sunshine on you starting the day off right. I think that's crucial to wherever you're at. Just get out in the light. Get your feet in the earth. And stay connected in the in between of that. That's the special place.
Sydney Williams 52:27
Oh, stay connected in the in between. All right. So like we were talking about earlier, the new album, what's the new album called guys?
Alific 52:34
What do we got? Write it on the Wall,
Sydney Williams 52:36
Write it on the Wall, Write it on the Wall, which is the Alific's new album is coming out on March 23. If you're interested in just like the superstar live version of this, be sure to check out their album release party at Winston's in San Diego on March 30. That first single with Aaron Wolf is coming out on February 3. So stay tuned for that. Guys, where can people find you? Instagram websites? What do we got hit up with it?
Man of the Forests 53:00
Instagram at manoftheforests or manoftheforests.com? And that's with an S and plural forests,
Alific 53:07
plural!
Sydney Williams 53:09
And Brendan, how about you?
Alific 53:10
Yeah, alificmusic.com, or just Alific? I think if you just Google Alific, you'll get a bunch of I'm the only Alific out there. It's all right. I made up the word. So it's, it should be only me. It's yours.
Sydney Williams 53:23
Great. Awesome. Well, next week, it's just me on the show, guys, I've started a habit of where I'm taking the episode of the last episode of the month to myself to reflect on this experience. So far with all the guests, we've had on Wellness in the Wilderness, share some updates about what we've got going on. here on Catalina Island for Hiking My Feelings and some of the other projects we're getting ready to launch and one of those will be launching next week. So pay attention to that. And come join me and come say, hey, as far as what I'm grateful for, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here the opportunity to have this conversation. So I'm grateful for the technology that makes it possible. I'm grateful to Voice America for having me on the network. And I'm grateful to Brendan and Derek, for joining us today. So next week, it's only me and we're just going to do it. So I hope that this episode of Wellness in the Wilderness has been a breath of fresh air. Until next week, be kind do good things. And what do we say Derek? It's a gift to uplift.
Man of the Forests 54:18
Here's a gift to uplift. So get out there and make one.
Sydney Williams 54:22
All right. Well, next week. We'll be here with me and we will see you then until next time. Have a great week. See you later.
Announcer 54:34
Thanks for joining us on this week's show. We hope this episode has been a breath of fresh air for you and has inspired you to find your Wellness in the Wilderness. We will reconnect with nature and you again next week.
Man of the Forests 55:09
Since 1984, Sawyer has existed to support your wildest adventures. Learn about their advanced insect repellents and family of technical Lightweight Water filters at Sawyer.com