Tyagaraja

Made the best sellers list at Cactus Records in Houston

http://www.cactusmusictx.com/

Soundwaves in Houston

http://soundwaves.com/a/Music/tabid/57/Default.aspx

and Waterloo Records in Austin

http://www.waterloorecords.com/

Send your support and love our way…

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June 15, 2010 – Photos taken by Mark C. Austin, Amber Roussel and Jason Goode at Bonnaroo 2010

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June 10, 2010 – “You Feel Every Heart Beating, Take Your Last Step” From the new CD “Open Book” by TYAGARAJA

Late last Saturday afternoon at the Free Press Summer Fest’s Dos Equis Stage, somewhere in between the hours of 4 – 5pm, something pretty cool was going on…

The musicians and crew from Tyagaraja were setting flowers and plants around the stage, lighting incense sticks that were put into those same pots (the fragrance filled the air), organic lollipops were being passed around and even fruit was given to the audience…Rose petals were gently tossed out and beautiful, rich draperies were being placed in front of the stage.

But it wasn’t a stage anymore. No. When Tyagaraja came out to perform, the platform became a home of sorts and rather than just an audience, we became guests…

And what a glorious host Tyagaraja was. Aside from the tangible treats, our host gave us so much more. We were given an experience in music that had so much passion and depth that if you just let go and trusted in the music – you were richly rewarded. A reward that only a bond in music can create…

“The purpose of this music is for some sort of awakening to happen in the heart of the listener. Within the lyrics of the songs there is always a message. The verses are the question and the chorus is the answer.” - TYAGARAJA

Take a listen to Tyagaraja’s just released CD “Open Book” right HERE and see what I mean. But you should experience a live performance as well. The next show in Houston will be Saturday, June 19th at 3pm, at Cactus Music. It’s a free show. In the meantime, there is a video below!

Keep up with Tyagaraja through his website, or the band’s Myspace, Facebook or Youtube.

Tyagaraja is led by namesake Tyagaraja Welch (guitar, vocals). Many performers make up the actual musical act though: Keegan Daleo (guitar), David Garcia (drums), Aaron Hermes (sitar), Jeremy Nuncio (piano, keyboards, organ), Alaap Parikh (tabla), Mike Poulos (bass) Hillary Sloan (violin) and Michael Don Welch (guitar, vocals).

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June 8, 2010 – …Fortunately for our group, Tyagaraja took the stage immediately for the following set. I was informed early and often that we needed to stick around for the man swathed in bright orange fabric. I’m an easy sell and the performance reinforced all the accolades, putting yet another Houston band on my radar. With a sitar on stage and lyrics that dive beneath fathoms of cliched rhymes, Tyagaraja blew through their album release performance and garnered at least one more fan.

As the crowds started to gather on the slope facing the main stage, claiming beach toweled territory like conquistadors, you start to realize that it’s pretty easy to be a fan of the Houston “underdogs” like Sideshow Tramps and Tyagaraja. Knowing that these bands, given a little bit of luck and exposure that all groups need, could easily be usurping the national acts is even more comforting, even if that means you might have to sacrifice a better spot on the lawn…

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June 4, 2010 – Tyagaraja freely admits that, as a musician in Houston, he has several things working against him.

“Strange name, I wear traditional-looking religious clothing. It’s not like I’m exactly marketable,” he says. “I distract people from listening to the music by throwing things onstage that are surprising.

“I wore glam makeup and went through those phases in high school. People didn’t understand then, and they say hateful things. If I ever get a chance to talk to the person, and they see that I’m just a normal dude they can have a regular conversation with, it always changes the feeling or the mood.”

One listen to Tyagaraja’s new full-length, Open Book, is also likely to convert doubters and cynics. It’s a lush, mystical journey through one man’s heart and soul that manages to enlighten and entertain at the same time. There are flourishes of rock, soul, country, even classical. The songs are bracingly modern and timeless, held together by impeccable production and Tyagaraja’s rich, expressive voice.

“When I write a song or I listen to a song, I want it to have that accessibility. I don’t want it to be too difficult for me to go in and actually feel it,” he says. “I want to hear a story. I want to hear a verse and a chorus. I want to hear really emotional singing and lyrics.”

Open Book began to formally take shape over the last year and boasts an array of local talent, including David Garcia (drums), Jeremy Nuncio (keys), Mike Poulos (bass) and the incomparable Hilary Sloan (violin). It was recorded at Sugar Hill Studios, and many of the songs have become familiar to local music fans.

But Tyagaraja, whose birth name is Jonathan Welch, assigns much of the credit to his father, Michael Don Welch. (He was given the name Tyagaraja a few years ago by spiritual advisor Sri Karunamayi, who took it from a legendary Indian musician.)

“I’ve been working on these songs, practicing them with my dad in my parents’ living room, for years. I kind of say it’s basically what my dad and I have worked on since I was 11 years old,” Tyagaraja says.

“We spent so many years conceptualizing. I’m not talented enough to hear what key I’m in and put it on the guitar. I have to call him, I sing the song to him, he comes up with the chords and emails me what they look like. He really likes to orchestrate the flow of the songs.”

Before he embarked on this musical journey, Tyagaraja found success as part of Million Year Dance, a velvety pop outfit that could have broke far beyond the Texas borders. But he wasn’t satisfied, despite “some really beautiful things” that happened during the band’s brief run.

Today, a Tyagaraja show is equal parts sonic and visual, the complete experience he tried for years to capture. Lights and candles flicker onstage. Members flutter around the stage, often in costume. At a recent show, Sloan sported a white robe and wings.

Spiritual elements also occupy Tyagaraja’s personal life. He practices meditation and yoga several hours a day.

“I’ve been in theater since I was young. My mind just always goes there,” he says. (He was part of the University of St. Thomas drama department with fellow musician Geoffrey Muller.)

“There’s not one song that doesn’t have some sort of idea in mind for what it’s going to look like onstage. I can’t separate the two, theater and music.”

Fans will be able to hear and purchase Open Book at Summerfest. After that — performing at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. Tyagaraja won the Ford Fiesta Movement battle of the bands in May at Warehouse Live, which earned him a slot at the prestigious event. He’ll return for an in-store at Cactus Music (June 19), then it’s off for more adventures in India.

“I don’t just use words lightly, but if this does turn into something huge for me, I’m going to be screaming Houston all the way,” he says. “The most that’s happened to me is I was recognized for being a hard worker and a nice guy at Whole Foods.

“It really does feel like the wheels are moving in a different way. It’s pushing us through this small funnel, and as soon as we pass through it, we’re out on the other side, and there’s no going back. I truly feel like it’s going to turn that big of a wheel for us.”

SUMMERFEST: 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. (Tyagaraja performs at 3:55 p.m. Saturday on the Dos Equis Stage.) Eleanor Tinsley Park, 500 Allen Parkway.