Trevor Marty makes his version of “A Peaceful Solution” explicitly spiritual by leading in with tones from a singing bowl. Singing bowls were traditionally used throughout Asia as part of Bön and Tantric Buddhist sadhana. Today they are employed worldwide both within and without these spiritual traditions, for meditation, relaxation, health care, personal well-being and religious practice.

Singing bowls were historically made in Tibet, Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, Japan and Korea. Today they are made in Nepal, India, Japan and Korea. The best known type are from the Himalayan region and are often called “Tibetan singing bowls.” In Buddhist practice, singing bowls are used as a support for meditation, trance induction and prayer.

Trevor Marty also plays a didgeridoo, an instrument commonly claimed to be the world’s oldest wind instrument. The didgeridoo (also known as a didjeridu or didge) is a wind instrument of the Aborigines of northern Australia. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or “drone pipe”.

Thank you, Trevor Marty, for including these spiritual and indigenous instruments in your performance.

* * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *

When I was young I thought humans were the best critters around. The most intelligent and heck just about the best dressed mammal on the planet; although, I have always been a bit jealous of the Cheetah’s colors. After awhile though I started to actually watch people and what we did/do.

I came to realize that we are one among many, and this is my whole basis for a world peace movement.

My passion is for our species, and all the others to live within a sacred hoop together. When I was a child my family and I would spend a week on this island off Northern Minnesota for summer vacation. Imagine it.

Just you and the family hanging out on an island with no one else was around. You’re there with the storms, and the bears. Sharing the same space with crickets, birds, raccoons, muskrats, and all sorts of living beings. Hell the trees kept me fascinated for days. And in the top of the tallest tree was a Bald Eagles nest.

Now back then it wasn’t so common to see them around. My sister and I would go out to the ‘Nest Tree’ and dare each other to lay on the ground underneath it. This is when I first started to learn. I started to become aware of the ‘Greatness’ of life on this planet.

Now I can hear ya asking, “Hey that’s cool and all but just how does this relate to peace?” For me it’s not just about saving ourselves, because we have it in our power to stop all life on Earth.

Imagine all of the little universes going on right now stopping suddenly. The mice outside in the snow, the cats looking for those mice, the birds, worms, everything stopping because of our stupid little egos. This is what motivates me.

I just love hearing stories. I’ve never been able to stop learning stories, and personally I think they’re what draws people to art. Art reflects and creates culture. I just love stories. I wish that I had ideas which were fresh, brand new, like Rainbow Trout swimming in the stream but I don’t. I wish they were alive enough to broadcast, and who knows they might just be strong enough to help create this elusive peace.

I guess my best idea is to try and at least have tolerance for other folks, and to remember that there is more than our lives at stake. I know that’s anthropomorphic, but I don’t really care.

Good luck and don’t forget your stories.

Trevor Marty