The Name Says It All... Or Does It?

Why Amps For Buddha?

The Buddhists Are After Me And Some Of The Dharma:

 Why did I choose the name, Amps for Buddha? ...As I have grown to understand; as some would say, a Spiritual Awakening, Enlightenment, my own spiritual path, I have given the name Amps for Buddha (you could say it was given to me) for musical expression in it's purest form. In the same light I hope to light the path for others.

 In the few years of existence, I did not expect so much controversy, coming from all sides. ...So much is misunderstood.

 If you were to call me a Buddhist, you'd be missing the point (that is a whole nother discussion on it's own). But if you insist on calling me Buddhist, or a Buddhist, simply to place this idea in your box of understanding, I will take it, so that we can move on.

 There are many sects of the Buddhist "religion", again, I use this term loosely; there is Theravada, Mahayana, Nichiren, Shingon, Tiantai (Tendai), Shinnyo-e, Vajrayān, Pure Land, Tibetan and Zen. ...And I do not strictly follow any of these. And yet, I pull from many of these forms. If anything you can call me an unorthodox Buddhist or even orthodox, depending on how you look at it. All of these different sects have their positives, but much like with everything else, man has developed and argued over these ideas and (for my taste) have splintered the original intent. ...hence the different sects.

 There is no Buddhist bible, none is needed. Many texts have been written, understandings, origins, parables, questions, schools and teachings, but if there is a Buddhist bible you intend to find, it is a rather short one. It is simply the Four Noble Truths. ...From here is where I began my path of understanding.

 Here is an example where I depart from "traditional" Buddhism. ...I do believe (understand) in reincarnation. But! I do not understand it as the Tibetans do (or Hinduism for that matter). When we die, our bodies will decompose. We become food for the worms and the ground. I feel (here comes some physics), as it is understood that we can't create or destroy energy, as we become food for worms (energy), the worms will defecate (energy) or die off themselves becoming or creating food for the soil (energy). In turn, my original energy will have created a blade of grass, or help a young bird nourish it's growing body. ...The body has been reincarnated into other forms of energy.

 Now the Buddhists are after me! ...I have received much criticism from local monks, fellow path takers and other Buddhist communities. The major criticism is that, I am uneducated, undereducated, or I simply don't understand or that I'm making a mockery (heresy) of the Buddhist tradition. ...To that I say, and I've simply remind them, "We do not like that which we don't understand".

 Many others have denounced my efforts as "Devil" music, or worshiping a false idol, drawing attention away from their God. ...Normally, I try to encourage a conversation, and depending on the situation, I open with a statement, "Do you know, you wouldn't be a Christian without being a Buddhist first?". ...Again, this is a whole nother discussion.

And Now to the Other Side

 There is enough darkness in the world and my goal to shed some light, to share Buddhist insight. ...I am truly a fan of heavy music. And if I can blend these two elements together; Buddhism and Heavy Metal, and if I can engage the listener; then I have done my job. ...My own passion lies within as well as some of the Dharma.

...In the words of Jimi Hendrix, "Are You Experienced?".

Amps For Buddha: On A Mission...

ON A MISSION:

I was asked again recently of where I want the music to go. I never see myself to be on the Top 40 or even the radio. Those have never been my aspirations. And I never want to sell out any arena. I'd rather stay in small intimate settings. As long as I can feed myself, keep clothes on my back, keep a roof over my head, to sustain a music career (to do this for a living), that's where I want to be. I'm an artist and I strive for longevity. If it takes 20 years for me to be able to do just that, so be it .

I SURRENDER:

People ask me what are my inspirations (musically), and I am influenced by everything from R&B, Motown, to Classical. I grew up in a very musically diverse household. My father and Mother would bring in Motown and 50's Rock N' Roll (Chuck Berry), my aunt and uncle at different times brought in Disco and Hard Rock (Rolling Stones, The Who, Eagles). My great uncle, who was from Mexico brought in old Mexican LPs (Rancheras). He played them every Sunday morning when he was at the house. 

I also had other nearby uncles who had great influence on my musical development (from Classical to Jazz) as I grew up. When I visited them, I was always amazed by their huge record collections that filled large deep shelves which sprawled across their rooms. I don't think I ever finished paging through all those records, as I soaked in the artwork and when allowed listened to them from start to finish. 

On one occasion I pulled a record from my Uncle's shelf that would be a turning point for my direction of life. I could not put down the album even before playing it. The art work was simple, yet mysteriously dark. ...My uncle put it on the stereo system and cranked up the volume. ...I heard a church bell and rain. Some distant thunder was heard. Then the roar of the first chord came in. Buuuarrgh! Then I heard, as the hairs stood straight up on my neck and arms, a high note and then a trill. ...It was Black Sabbath. I still get goosebumps when I recall this first time I heard the album. ...From that point I knew what I wanted to do.

With all the influence that I've soaked in, do I have a formula? ...No. This is where I surrender. I do not write songs in a premeditated fashion. I write songs on the fly. There are no structures here, at least in a 'Pop' sense. What I feel from the heart, from the ground up to the head and out through the hands is how I write music. It's as if I allow the the vibrations of the earth and environment flow through me and out to the amps and speakers. ...This is where I surrender.

ON THE MIND:

Is there a place for 'POP' music? ...There will always be a place for popular music. No one will be playing my music at wedding receptions.

I feel true music lies in the underground, always has and always will be. 

Is being an independent musician a sustainable career choice? ...I feel that it is. 

My only advice, or what I'd like to see from fellow musicians and bands is; play from what you feel is right. Play honest music. To go out there and purposely box yourself in a certain genre, that's not true art. ...We all have our influences and we enjoy what we play (at least I hope so, if not then there's a deeper issue), go out there and play what you honestly feel. That is what I feel all music in general is lacking, is honesty. ...Find your voice, and then play it as loud as you can. ...Surrender, rejection is synonymous with the true art form. Keep the integrity going. 

Thank You for Your Time! ~ Mario Medina (((Amps for Buddha)))

July Newsletter: Amps for Buddha Update!

NEW ALBUM: AMPS FOR BUDDHA In The Studio Come September 2012 to Record 'SLOUCHING TOWARD NIRVANA'!

 Amps for Buddha will be entering 'Do It Yur Damn Self Studio' come the end of September. The studio itself is under repair and it is taking some time to get back into working status. It is the only studio that will have the means to see the new Amps for Buddha album, 'Slouching Toward Nirvana', completed.

 The album will be then mastered (3rd party TBA) and released independently through Time and Sound Records (Imprint, management is working to have this established). The new album will be a physical CD for purchase. We are in the process of working out ordering details and distribution.

 Release date for 'Slouching Toward Nirvana': TBA. ...Expect a November release.

 In the meantime, Please keep sharing those videos! Let the World know you are Listening!

 We would also like to announce, if you have yet to check it out (if you are currently reading this from there, Thank You!), the OFFICIAL AMPS FOR BUDDHA Website!

 Please take a look and Share! There are links to the Facebook 'Like' page, Twitter, YouTube and SoundCloud for all your FREE Downloads.

The OFFICIAL Amps For Buddha Website! 

 
 Thank You All for Your Continued Support! ~ Mario Medina & Management!

March Newsletter: Help Kick Start and Become A Part of Amps for Buddha’s Second Full-Length Album 'Slouching Toward Nirvana'               

Hello everyone and thank you for your time!

            Amps For Buddha began in the winter of 2009, based in the Milwaukee area of WI. And my goal as Amps for Buddha is to share insightful and emotionally driven heavy music. I’ve done everything on my own as a solo musician, up until this point. Now I feel is the time to make the next step in my musical career and I would very much like to have your help.

             With your support alongside the great platform of Kickstarter I feel I will have the necessities to begin the recording process of the new Amps For Buddha album, ‘Slouching Toward Nirvana’. Your pledges will help with recording, mastering, album artwork, CD packaging, distribution and marketing. The goal is $20,000. This is a very modest recording budget. If the goal is not met, no money is exchanged. I feel we can do this.

            Not only will this opportunity of raising money from fans, friends and family help me make this album, but it also lets you become a part of this creative journey and have a hand in bringing the music to a larger audience. Optimistically, I feel I created an exciting rewards package for all of you. From t-shirts, posters, special CD packages, album plaques to Executive Production credits and even having dinner with me.

            I am more than excited to have you join and be a part of this project and adventure. I will keep you posted on all updates in upcoming monthly newsletters.

Thank you!
Mario Medina
(((Amps for Buddha)))

 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ampsforbuddha/become-a-part-of-amps-for-buddhas-2nd-full-length

February Newsletter: In The Studio! ~ Slouching Toward Nirvana

Welcome to the Journey,

In the upcoming months, I will be sharing the inner workings, writing process, and construction of the Amps for Buddha's second full-length (third overall) album, 'Slouching Toward Nirvana'.

My goal is to have the album completed for a late spring early summer release. Figuring out distribution will be a part of the goal.

So begins the writing process. I feel I've chosen an appropriate title for the album. It was taken from a book of poems by Charles Bukowski, under the same name. The title speaks to me. When I first came across the book a few years ago, I told myself I would use the title and interpret it in my own fashion.

Slouching Toward Nirvana feels exactly what I'm doing. Whatever ends of nirvana are, is up for another discussion. Coming from a minimum-wage working world and trudging along to a place where I would want to be, to be considered a success on my own terms, has always been aside of me.

Slouching Toward Nirvana easily extends to my mental health. ...In short I'll say, whenever I feel a depression, it is the battle between my mind finding peace and my brain telling me, "fuck off and die."  ...It is a battle and a battle that I am winning.

As for now I'm writing down ideas for the album, making an outline. Playing around with different sounds, tempos, harmonies and rhythms. The album will be a concept album. I'm not aiming for a bunch of songs pushed together onto a disc and calling it an album. I want to take you for a journey.  

I want to really push myself. I never want to repeat myself or make the same album twice. I always want to progress, evolve. As any musician and artist should. 


Here's the outline, track listing so far. The album will be split into three acts or meditations. ...It may change in the future.

(((Amps For Buddha))) ~ Slouching Toward Nirvana 

Meditation I

Dharma Drums

Laugh At The Sky

Meditation II

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones 

After The Darkness, Before The Light

Meditation III

The Law Of Rhythm 

From White to Grey

...This is only the beginning, welcome to the journey. ~ MM

January: 2012 Is Staring Me In The Face.

2011 was a good year, being able to play a handful of great shows. Especially, being able to help out by performing at the Benefit Concert For Japan at Shank Hall (May 12th, 2011) in aid for the Earthquake and Tsunami relief effort. We were able to raise a significant amount of money, which was donated through the Red Cross of America. The Amps for Buddha E.P., 'Everything Is Burning' was continued and completed in 2011. The four track album (43min. in length) has received much fanfare, reaching many places such as Turkey, Peru and Sweden. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll see where I'm being heard, as I Tweet "I'm in Taitunghsien, Taiwan! #ampsforbuddha".

Now 2012 is staring me in the face.

In the coming year, I will begin to write new material for a full length album, starting at the end of January (Title: TBA). The new album to be recorded at 'Do It Yur Damn Self Studios' and scheduled to be released by Spring/Summer 2012. There will also be, with help from friends, an official website launched, as I as well, will still be using all of the social networking tools available. I have a long way to go. My ultimate goal is to tour abroad. Setting my sights first at a European tour.

I will also be making an attempt at establishing a record label, tentatively named Dharma Lunatic Records. I've already begun working with other local artists (100 Suns, Matthew Webber) helping to see their material be released.

2012 will be a big year for Amps for Buddha. ...small steps.

Thank You Everyone for Your Support! I will see you soon. Enjoy Your Day.

"I've got work to do."
 -MM

September/ October Newsletter!

“Life is like music for its own sake. We are living in an eternal now, and when we listen to music we are not listening to the past, we are not listening to the future, we are listening to an expanded present.”
― Alan Watts

(((Amps For Buddha)))

            School, day job, sleep, day job, school, homework, studio, that’s how the routine has been for me as of late. Not that I’m complaining. I’m healthy and alive and doing the best I can do. Even with the occasional bouts of depression.

            ‘Everything Is Burning’ from the namesake EP is closer to being completed. It will be released through Time and Sound Recordings (2011). The mixing process of this new song should start at the beginning of the month and will be released after Halloween and before Thanksgiving (US). It will again be available Free for download via SoundCloud.

            I have been learning and breathing Audio Engineering and I’m aiming for this new song, ‘Everything Is Burning’, to have an improved sonic force. We learn as we go.

My intentions are to not to disappoint.

100 Suns

            100 Suns is a new project of mine that will soon be realized. They will be loose ideas I have put together on a very minimalist template. It is much as an effort as anything else I have done. With these songs (and an eventual full album), they are unscripted movements where I can release what ebbs and flows naturally, perhaps a more subconscious offering. Where I can ditch any pretense and/or ego without any anxiety of perfectionism.            

Thank You for All Your Support!

            Thank you everyone! Your support, your many words and encouragement mean a great deal to me. Keep spreading the word and please keep sharing and I will see you soon.

Laugh and Meditate Some More,

Mario Medina