Diandra Interviews: Xander And The Peace Pirates (Part 1)
Positivity goes a long way, but many of us struggle to see how? Still, when you look at the story and talent of Xander and The Peace Pirates, you can see why revealing and approaching the world according to light pays off. This group has given their blood, sweat, and tears, like many, to rise up to international acclaim. Yet, to get success you have to give something extra special: a smile. These guys are wonderful in sound and art, but it is also their sparkling personalities that has captivated a music industry and fans. Thus, prepare to be captivated in Part 1 of my interview Keith Xander of Xander And The Peace Pirates.
Diandra: You are known for your live performances. What has been the most comical thing that has happened to you in a performance?
Keith: The most comical thing that has happened in a performance was me losing my balance on a highly polished stage, I fell backwards over the kit and down the back of the stage and nearly broke my shoulder, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, the audience fell in fits of laughter.Bastards. 😉
Diandra:You are a band that promotes virtues like peace through your music. Do you believe music has the power to bring peace to the world or can be used as a tool?
Keith I feel music does have the power to point to where Peace is within each of us/ Even though there is no location as such, it is omnipresent, meaning we are already at peace when we remain in awareness and choose not to identify with the mind and body and other objects. Our true identity is universal, omnipresent awareness, meaning there is, in fact, no separation,we share the same air, the same water, the same Earth, the Same universe. Our music is always pointing to this this truth, this peace that is within, there is nowhere to find peace, as this unconditional awareness that we all truly are is peace, but it is thinking that turns the dream into a nightmare. What we believe, we create. Hence, the madness we see on the surface, we are creators of our own reality. We are not experiencing suffering, we are essentially suffering our experience when we are in resistance to whatever the experience offers us. These are all opportunities to transcend the limiting idea of ourselves, and music and art offers an invitation to explore our inner world and being through it’s message.
Keith I feel music does have the power to point to where Peace is within each of us/ Even though there is no location as such, it is omnipresent, meaning we are already at peace when we remain in awareness and choose not to identify with the mind and body and other objects. Our true identity is universal, omnipresent awareness, meaning there is, in fact, no separation,we share the same air, the same water, the same Earth, the Same universe. Our music is always pointing to this this truth, this peace that is within, there is nowhere to find peace, as this unconditional awareness that we all truly are is peace, but it is thinking that turns the dream into a nightmare. What we believe, we create. Hence, the madness we see on the surface, we are creators of our own reality. We are not experiencing suffering, we are essentially suffering our experience when we are in resistance to whatever the experience offers us. These are all opportunities to transcend the limiting idea of ourselves, and music and art offers an invitation to explore our inner world and being through it’s message.
Diandra: Going off that, do you believe music should not be apart politics or cultural influence, especially in terms of promoting peace?
Keith: I would say to those who say that music should not be a part of politics or cultural influence to maybe see that this belief they have is just a belief, and a belief is not absolutely true. I would encourage them to choose to see the power music has already had over our Consciousness and planet as a whole in the uniting of beings. Woodstock was a wonderful example of the unity and joy music can offer to each of our inner worlds, Music unites us. Music is just like any other expression, whether it be a great speaker or poet or artist like DaVinci. Those who understand energetically, beyond the conceptual framework, which often limits our experience of true love, will commonly express the truth they have come to know through more than just one expression. We are only ever experiencing ourselves, and by self I mean awareness, and that is not a condition; it is free of the illusion of the past or future, it is pure presence.
Keith: I would say to those who say that music should not be a part of politics or cultural influence to maybe see that this belief they have is just a belief, and a belief is not absolutely true. I would encourage them to choose to see the power music has already had over our Consciousness and planet as a whole in the uniting of beings. Woodstock was a wonderful example of the unity and joy music can offer to each of our inner worlds, Music unites us. Music is just like any other expression, whether it be a great speaker or poet or artist like DaVinci. Those who understand energetically, beyond the conceptual framework, which often limits our experience of true love, will commonly express the truth they have come to know through more than just one expression. We are only ever experiencing ourselves, and by self I mean awareness, and that is not a condition; it is free of the illusion of the past or future, it is pure presence.
Diandra: What has been the most exciting thing about making your debut record?
Keith: One of the most exciting moments when recording the album was having the Metropol Orchestra play on our song “I’ll Be Here”. This was unexpected. We turned up at the the Wisseloord Studios and discovered that they were recording next door to us, so we jumped on the opportunity to get them on at least one of our songs, the strings were arranged that night, and the next day the strings were recorded. A very magical experience that we are truly thankful for: I shed a little tear.
Diandra:What is the message or theme that you hope fans receive from you new record?
Keith:The message we hope to convey through the album is one of inspiration and discovery; a discovery that we may not be who we think we are.That this peace we seek may already be present if we just take the time to sit in our own inner stillness. The Album is really about moving beyond this divided idea of the world; we analyse and dissect everything until it is dead. We must learn to allow our true being to shine through with love and acceptance so that we may flow in the ever changing environment in which we find ourselves. Those who hear and feel the message in the music will come to their own understanding of what Peace and Unconditional Love is for them and hopefully express this inner peace and go on to inspire transformation in others.
If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.
Diandra: In what ways have you grown artistically from touring the world?
Keith: I feel we have grown artistically from touring the world in that our experiences have led us to a more fearless expression of the music we love to create during any moment. Playing to different people has made us realise that when we are relaxed and simply being ourselves, whilst performing, the connection is deep and palpable within that space of awareness. Regardless of the opinions of others, we feel secure in the knowing that we allowed the music to be whatever it wants to be in that moment, and that it is ok to let go of the creation of it, as it does not belong to anybody, it is simply meant to be inspiring and enjoyable to those it resonates with. There is a freedom in allowing ourselves to grow without the pressure of believing that there is a right or a wrong way to express ourselves, if it feels good, then it is good.
Keith: I feel we have grown artistically from touring the world in that our experiences have led us to a more fearless expression of the music we love to create during any moment. Playing to different people has made us realise that when we are relaxed and simply being ourselves, whilst performing, the connection is deep and palpable within that space of awareness. Regardless of the opinions of others, we feel secure in the knowing that we allowed the music to be whatever it wants to be in that moment, and that it is ok to let go of the creation of it, as it does not belong to anybody, it is simply meant to be inspiring and enjoyable to those it resonates with. There is a freedom in allowing ourselves to grow without the pressure of believing that there is a right or a wrong way to express ourselves, if it feels good, then it is good.
How Their Answers Made Me Feel
via GIPHY Too Happy!
Please stay tuned for part 2 of this interview. I am floored by how wise and compassionate this band is through lead vocalist’s Keith Xander’s essence and answers. Hence,I had to divide this interview into two, because such virtuous eloquence and thoughtfulness should be absorbed. So grab a pen, write down your favorite quotes from the interview, send them to Oprah Winfrey, and Click Here For Part 2 on my interview with Keith Xander from Xander And The Peace Pirates.
