Chad Lawson: Music's Unspoken Spaces

Pianist and composer Chad Lawson has released 'Awakening: The Stillness Within,' an album exploring the profound concept of stillness and the subtle spaces within music. Lawson intentionally allowed his Western piano to retain its identity while engaging deeply with Indian classical instruments and traditions. He highlighted the importance of respecting the distinct characteristics of each instrument, noting the piano's fixed voice compared to the nuanced slides of a bansuri.

Lawson collaborated with Indian musicians, including Purbayan Chatterjee, to integrate ragas and mantras, emphasizing a beginner's mindset and attentive listening. He stressed that true collaboration involves respecting each artist's heritage and allowing diverse musical languages to converge organically. The album's creation was a testament to shared discovery, with musicians contributing their unique talents to a collective whole.

The album also touches upon the complex nature of healing, suggesting that stillness isn't always serene. Lawson shared that moments of quiet can surface unexpected emotions like grief or worry, and that true healing sometimes involves confronting uncomfortable truths rather than seeking constant pleasantness. He advocates for consistent 'showing up' for oneself, even when immediate peace isn't found.