The most active volcano on Earth, the Kīlauea on the island of Hawai‘i, has been a deep inspiration for my sound art ever since I first set foot on the island back in 2015. In Hawaiian mythology, goddess Pele is believed to dwell in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Her presence explains volcanic activity — eruptions are seen not just as geological events, but as expressions of her will, power, and emotion: creation, destruction, and migration. These same currents flow through my creative work, portraying an alien in a human spacesuit, reflecting on a fluid Earthian experience.

When Kīlauea started erupting again in early 2025, I was already living on Oʻahu but continued to study philosophy at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. One of my professors, Tim Freeman, presented video footage and photos from the eruptions during an Environmental Ethics class. He suggested composing the soundtrack to one of his videos, which fired up my creative flow by presenting an opportunity to reconnect with the volcanic vibes of my beloved Big Island.

At the time, I was invited to play some concerts on the Big Island and combined my travels with a visit to Volcano. Tim invited me to stay at his house, which was built without power tools by beat poet Albert Saijo and is nestled within a native ʻōhiʻa lehua and hāpuʻu fern forest near the summit of Kīlauea. Saijo's proximity to Kīlauea had a profound influence on his poetry. In his collection Outspeaks: A Rhapsody, he reflects on living on the edge of an active volcano, using the setting as a metaphor for existential and ecological awareness. His work often intertwines Zen Buddhist philosophy with a deep reverence for nature, emphasizing humanity's need to harmonize with the natural world.

Despite millennia of accumulated wisdom, we live in geopolitically turbulent times, once again. And the pain of our natural world seems to fade from our awareness as we focus on distracting ourselves with ego-pleasing echo chambers. A me-first ideology fueled by reshaping our brains into TikTok algorithm response devices is on the rise, overshadowing the dangers of an outdated anthropocentric worldview. Armament with weapons of mass destruction, the continuous rape of planet Earth, warring states, and a battle for land gain seem to be the main focus to force a decade-long rotting money-based economy back on its crooked feet, so we can send our exhausted soldiers back onto the battlefields in the illusion of being temporarily saved — once again. Will, power, and emotion: creation, destruction, and migration — letʻs face it: capitalism and a money-based economy are dead, and so is our humanness, as long as we cling to both.

Inspired by the sheer power of an ego-eliminating, untamable volcano, the poetic set and setting, and some wonderful conversations with my friend Tim, I composed Pele’s Fire — A Volcanic Symphony for Peace at the edge of Kīlauea, accompanied by native Hawaiian birds, surrounded by jungle and lava rocks — here and there gently reanimated by a fresh breeze of hope. credits released June 6, 2025

Pele's Fire: A Volcanic Symphony for Peace Live Composition on 5-string Electric Violin 3 Pieces | 1 Hour 39 Minutes Recorded near Kīlauea at Volcano National Park, Volcano, Hawaiʻi Artwork by Markus Mars Photo by Tim Freeman UPC 199199789398 ℗ & © 2025 Markus Mars

Video youtu.be/yYYUBlN3DME Footage by Tim Freeman, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawaiʻi Hilo Edited by Markus Mars

Bonus Content 1. Album Cover by Markus Mars (www.markusmars.music) 2. Photos from the 2025 Eruptions by Tim Freeman (www.tfreeman.net) 3. Mosaic Photo Art by Tim Freeman (www.tfreeman.net) 4. Story by Markus Mars (www.markusmars.music)

Having ventured through the captivating terrains of the Andes, Markus Mars reconnected with creativity that had long been suppressed due to petrifying impacts. The growing hatred caused by the rapid spread of disinformation during the pandemic, the rise of authoritarian ideologies, and global conflicts such as the war in Ukraine all served as great distractors from what matters the most: how we inter-are with one another and our environment. “Ayahuasca” is Markus Mars’s transformative musical attempt to transcend boundaries and cultivate empathy and unity in diversity.

Embracing the teachings of ancient traditions and respecting their continuous evolution into modern science, Markus Mars channeled this profound experience into "Ayahuasca," a transformative musical creation that invites listeners to embark on an introspective expedition.

Markus Mars ingeniously blends virtuosity on a 5-string electric violin with intricate soundscapes in this new album, creating an immersive experience that transcends boundaries. The one-hour live composition consists of four intertwined parts that have been meticulously crafted in a live setting to stimulate auditory canals with wondrous sounds, leading the audience into a meditative state of mind and inviting the inner observer to freely explore the ramified mycelium network of yin and yang and the interbeing of the love of wisdom and hatred of ignorance, leading to a state of equanimity and more profound understanding for one another.

"With 'Ayahuasca,' I humbly return to the musical stage," says Markus Mars. "This album serves as a vessel to transport listeners, myself included, on an unexpected and transformative sonic adventure. I hope it brings joy, inspiration, and a glimpse of possible fairness through awareness."

As a resident of the Hawaiian Islands, Austrian-born Markus Mars draws inspiration from Hawai'i's volcanic landscapes and spiritual essence, infusing "Ayahuasca" with a unique blend of lived mythology. The profound connection to the ocean and the Mauna is evident throughout the album, creating a captivating sonic superfood that nourishes the soul.

"Ayahuasca" invites listeners to immerse themselves in a powerful potion of insight, providing a space to reflect, meditate, and journey within. The album's ethereal melodies and dynamic composition encapsulate the essence of Markus Mars's artistic identity, reflecting their devotion to pushing the boundaries of spirituality while staying rooted in rationality—and vice versa.

Markus Mars's exploration of live improvisation shines through in "Ayahuasca," as each track becomes a one-of-a-kind auditory masterpiece shaped by the vibrations of the present moment. The album's enigmatic and captivating soundscape makes it a must-listen for music enthusiasts and spiritual seekers alike.

"Ayahuasca" is available on all major music platforms. Its launch marks a new chapter in Markus Mars's musical evolution, an extraordinary voyage of sound and spirit, and an invitation to audible peace.

Ayahuasca Live Composition on 5-string Electric Violin, Didjeribone, Voice, Percussion 4 Pieces | 1 Hour 1 Minute Recorded on the Hamakua Coast, Hawaiʻi Artwork by Markus Mars UPC 198025674457 ℗ & © 2023 Markus Mars

At a beautiful place in Kailua-Kona that no longer exists, I offered what I called Sunset Sound Baths. Overlooking the ocean from a lanai, people gathered in three sections: a front space to move gently, a half circle of yoga mats to stretch or flow, and on the outskirts, a half circle of cushions and chairs to sit and meditate. As the sun set and incense smoke drew gentle lines in the air before being redirected by the breeze, we settled into a co-creation of deep listening, deep relaxation, and deep connection with each other.

Years later, I found a beautiful spot at Puako Beach where the waves sounded as the sun descended — and it reminded me of the inspiration I had felt during those evenings in Kailua-Kona. In 2024, I returned to the ocean with a microphone. The two recordings — the music composed live before the pandemic, and the waves captured years later — were brought together across time, as if they had always been waiting for each other.

The result is two pieces: Healing Waves and Nourishing Waves. Healing comes first — because we cannot help anyone when we are broken. Any attempt would only deplete us further. But once healed, we can offer our love and care to others, nourish them.

Pain is impermanent. However, so is healing. The practice is in paying attention to both and riding the wave rather than being taken by it. This gentle reminder runs through both tracks. As tranquility dominates, so do quiet reminders of focus, mindfulness, compassion, and preparedness.

Words beyond words. Thoughts beyond thoughts. Space beyond space. Love beyond love. Peace beyond peace. Inhaling. Exhaling. Learning to be at peace with the tides of despair without drifting to either side, neither into apathy nor madness.

Waves: An Oceanic Symphony for Peace Live Composition on 5-string Electric Violin, Didjeribone, Voice, Percussion 2 Pieces | 56 Minutes Composed & Recorded in Kailua-Kona, 2019 Ocean field recording at Puako Beach, 2024 Artwork by Markus Mars Photo by Joviel ℗ & © 2024 Markus Mars