Artist and activist Sage Bava, who created the environmental anthem “Clean Away,” is seen. … [+]
(Today, April 22, is Earth Day. The relationship between music and nature is long and storied. From Neil Young's brilliant “After The Gold Rush,” Marvin Gaye's “Mercy, Mercy Me” and Joni Mitchell's “Big Yellow Taxi” to more recent songs, including Kacey Musgraves' “Oh, What A World,” Childish Gambino's “Feels Like Summer,” and Billie Eilish's “All Good Girls To Hell.” has a long list of great songs that celebrate Mother Earth and warn us about protecting our home, singer/songwriter/producer/activist Sage Bava has a unique relationship with nature, having grown up with a rescue of 'animals about the symmetry between music and nature In this compelling and beautiful piece, Bava, who will release the ambient anthem “Clean Away” as the album's lead single next month, before appearing at BottleRock on May 24, it opens as nature has guided him in life and in his musical path.
You and I are not separate from nature; instead, we are an integral part of it. Our bodies, minds and spirits are deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world, and the more we disconnect from that connection, the more damage we do to ourselves, both physically and mentally, and on this beautiful planet Earth we are lucky. to call home This essay delves into the profound implications of our separation from nature and the urgent need to reestablish our bond with the earth for the sake of our well-being and the health of the planet. I also share a personal story of reclaiming my voice and my birth sensuality with nature as my guide after being stripped of it, a story I know many will relate to. “Clean Away” will be my first single from my upcoming debut album which explores soul searching in both the individual and the collective.
I have been fortunate to have a deep-rooted connection with nature from early in my life. Born into a nature reserve and animal rescue, I was surrounded by the beauty and wonder of the natural world from my earliest days. My parents, both environmentalists, created a world outside the status quo, giving their four children the freedom to run. However, as I entered my teenage years, I experienced a trauma that shattered my sense of self and sent me spiraling into a dark and confusing abyss.
Through this loss of self and rediscovery, I also rekindled my deep connection to music. I perceive nature as the keeper of the “flow” and the source of the creative frequencies that give rise to music. Music has a unique ability to access these pure realms of consciousness, transcending social norms and resonating with a primal and timeless aspect of our shared psyche. By reconnecting with nature, I found my voice and rekindled my passion for music. This ongoing journey of deepening connection, shedding old layers and embracing new ones, is guided by the nurturing hand of nature. Whether it's a serene walk in the woods, a gentle encounter with an animal, or the powerful roar of the waves, nature intricately binds us together and reminds us of our inherent oneness with the natural world. By respecting and listening more deeply to the feminine, our natural sensuality and the calm power that Mother Earth shows us every day, we can begin to heal this immense rift we have with nature that is also very present in ourselves.
Sage Bava – Clean Away (teaser) (youtube.com)
Living in big cities, this connection to nature and the memory of its healing powers was lost on me, and it wasn't until I rediscovered it that I was able to fully heal and empower myself. Nature has a way of showing us ourselves, acting as a mirror to reflect all our strength, beauty, resilience and transformation. In embracing the natural world, I found solace and strength, rediscovering parts of myself that had been lost or forgotten. I learned to trust the wisdom of the earth, to listen to the whispers of the wind, and to find beauty and meaning in the simplest moments. The Earth “cleansed” all the darkness and trauma left in my body and reconnected me to my birth power and sensuality.
As guardians of this planet, we have a responsibility to manage its resources wisely and ensure its continued vitality for future generations. However, our short-sightedness and disregard for the interconnectedness of all life has brought us to the brink of ecological collapse. The more we separate ourselves from nature, the more damage we inflict on the planet and ultimately ourselves. This is not just a hypothesized ideal but a proven scientific phenomenon that clearly demonstrates that the decline of our health as a species, both in body and mind, has everything to do with the way we interact with the natural world.
In those unforgettable moments in nature, I felt the coils of trauma loosen their grip on my soul, allowing me to hear the music of life once again—in the wind, in the trees, and in my heart. This trauma had not only taken away my voice, but had also severed my connection to my body, leading me down a path of derealization, dissociation and, in the most confusing moments, suicidal ideation. A man had taken it from me, stripping me of my autonomy and leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from myself and the world around me. On a parallel journey, my sister had experienced the same thing, as one in five women did, highlighting the widespread nature of these experiences. I realized that no one could own me or my voice, and that the same toxic sense of superiority that drove men to try to control me is the same force that drives mankind to exploit and dominate the earth and his creatures.
Fortunately, it is not too late to reverse course and re-establish our connection with the environment. By adopting a philosophy of deep ecology—the recognition of the intrinsic value of all living things and the interconnectedness of all life—we can begin to heal the rift between humanity and nature. This involves not only changing our attitudes and behaviors, but also reimagining our relationship with the earth as one of reciprocity and reverence. Practical steps toward reconnection include spending more time outdoors, cultivating a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the natural world, and adopting sustainable practices in our everyday lives.
I've found that sharing tangible facts about how nature directly affects us can be more convincing of vitality for humanity than grand statements. So here are three: Phytoncides, a hormone secreted from trees, have been shown to regulate cortisol levels, help with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, one of them is an antidepressant β-pinene which is both anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant properties. Phytoncides are also notable for their ability to increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells that fight cancer and tumor cells. Dr. Lisa Miller, a Yale-educated neuroscientist and psychologist and founder of Columbia University's SMBI program, has done extensive work, including conducting MRI scans of the brain, discovering how our connection to nature acts literally like a force field for parts of the brain. our brain suffering from depression and anxiety. The epidemic of depression in youth is closely related to the rise of technology and the loss of connection with nature. The cognitive development of children and the ability of both children and adults to be able to self-regulate has been directly linked to the deep connection of the individual with the natural world. In a poetic way to me, this means that those who are connected to a deeper sense of self, beneath the created identity or construct, but rather the timeless “truer than true” energetic world that exists beneath the language or man-made hierarchical society, are able to “tap into” this deeply rooted part of themselves and not be swayed by a superficial chemical reaction.
By immersing ourselves in the rhythms and cycles of nature, we can rediscover a sense of belonging and purpose that transcends the narrow confines of human-centered existence. In addition, we must defend policies and practices that prioritize environmental conservation and promote ecological sustainability. This includes supporting efforts to protect and restore natural habitats, mitigate climate change, and transition to a more regenerative and equitable economy. Working together as stewards of the earth, we can create a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, rather than in opposition to it.
In conclusion, we are nature, and the more we diverge from this fundamental truth, the more damage we do to ourselves and the planet. Our disconnection from nature has far-reaching consequences for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is imperative to recognize our interconnectedness with the natural world and recognize the profound impact it has on all aspects of our lives. By honoring and respecting the feminine, embracing our innate sensuality, and recognizing the quiet power that Mother Earth offers us each day, we can begin to heal the deep rift between humanity and nature. This fracture, which is also very present in ourselves, is born from a history of exploitation, domination and disconnection. However, through introspection, awareness, and a commitment to reconnection, we can mend this divide and forge a path toward a more harmonious existence with the Earth. We must remember that we do not belong to man; rather, we belong to Mother Earth, and it is our duty to protect, nurture and love her for the benefit of all living things. I belong to no one, I belong only to you, dear Mother Earth. Thanks, Terra, and thanks, mate, for reading this. I hope you enjoy the music I'll be offering soon and that it takes you deeper into yourself.
