Back in 2008 I started to approach some of my musician friends on forming a group with the idea of combining everyone’s talents.  I felt there was need for music that was fun to listen to and offered an energy that was not self or ego based.  Now, it took some years to get together but when David Tregenza, Steve Wyse, Brian Bates and myself finally did we created Sun Shadows. 

The sound the group created could best be described by me World Americana.  As we started the creating process of building songs we knew we had the ability to use what instruments were necessary for the song.  Also, we felt letting the songs come naturally we could bring a live and spontaneous feel to the songs essentially capturing the songs in the moment.

We actually did not set out to make a full album but more of an EP as we explored the idea doing a few shows together.  Once the first recording session was under way it was clear we were about to experience something wonderful.  We knew though parts of the project were going to be harder or pose a challenge. This we felt was best handled with a love and understanding of what we could do.

As 5 songs became 8 then 11 the CD Sun Shadows was born.  As for Sun Shadows the group I would have to quote David Tregenza “Sun Shadows is like a flowering meadow ever changing and always beautiful.” 

Thank you guys I am honored to be part of this group and look forward the next creation.

David Martinka,

Redbelly Lives

To Purchase CD Sun Shadows

GO GREEN!! DOWNLOAD SUN SHADOWS

http://www.nimbitmusic.com/davidmartinka.1

Members of the Ensemble are:

David *Redbelly* Martinka: From North Royalton Ohio.  David is a Slovakian flute and Native American flute recording artist and performer/entertainer.

Brian Bates: Lives in Metamora MI. Brian, plays acoustic guitar, bass guitar and keyboard. He is also an accomplished engineer, producer, performer/entertainer, and teacher.

David Cree Tregenza: Lives in Ortonville MI. He is a highly skilled musician who can play everything from the saxophone, to the flute, to the djembe. Nicknamed Chaoha, he is also an accomplished recording artist as well as a performer.

Steve Wyse Sleeps by Deer: Steve lives in Kenosha WI. He is a flute maker who makes all of his own flutes. Steve is a seasoned recording artist, musician of various instruments, and a performer/entertainer.     

Steve Wyse (BMI)- All vocals, Lyrics, Spoken words, Guitar, Native American style flute.

David Tregenza- Native American flute, Indigenous percussion instruments, Alto Sax.

David Martinka- American wood flute, Slovak courting flute, rhythm background instruments.

Brian Bates- Guitar, Bass guitar, Keys, Special effects.

For more information and a full list of credits please visit:

www.myspace.com/sunshadows

For more information about members of the group visit:

Steve Wyse: www.myspace.com/stevewyse

David Tregenza: www.myspace.com/nativeflutemusic      

David Martinka: www.redbellymusic.com  

All songs Mixed and Mastered By: Sun Shadows      

Recorded at Grey Owl Studios Ortonville MI.

A different way to play.

I have learned early on in my flute journey that the creation of songs and flutes is a creation of who you are, the energy and tools you use, and what materials being used. This I feel should put to rest the idea of what is a traditional way to make songs and flutes. In other words what is created at the time is the tradition. But what about the creation part itself? I know that I put the best of myself in my flutes and songs but I also put the worst. So, what do I do?

I start by recognizing I can consciously affect the kind of energy that is going into what is being created. In the Lakota story the man courted the woman he fell in love with his flute. His flute was the tool to court her but it was the energy of his love that found its way to her heart, good and bad.

For everything created there has to be a beginning. As humans animals we can consciously create things in our lives but for what reasons? One of the reasons could be to fill a need of some kind. If this was the case, recognizing the need would be followed by an intention and then a decision to create. When the early humans discovered fire, it became something they knew was needed. So, their intention was to survive and their decision was to find the materials and tools that would make fire at their will. These steps then created away to keep fire and later away to make fire. This need could be the starting point of what is to be created and what type of energy to be used. If you could take a workshop on how to play the Native American Flute, most of the information might be about how the flute can be ‘healing’ as well as learning how to play; what do you do? Or, you are in a Native American Flute making class were only European tuning was used, then what? I would guess someone would find away to fill that need. Maybe that’s another way to say it.

So, if your need is to heal with the flute then you will focus the needed energy on that. Or your need may be to network to fulfill finical and social status. Whatever the need is, that focus will be a part of what others will see in you. Always remember, the Native Ways and the ancestors know who has heart. I wonder then if there is an order of creation. One possibility is to first fill a need, and then decide what the intention is, what type of energy to be used and then create what is needed by making a focused decision. If this is true, I have outlined a big part of life and that’s CRAZY.

An offering to the 7 directions was given before and after the writing of this Redbelly News Letter.

Redbelly Lives,

David Martinka