Δημοκρατία (Democracy) is a living reflection, a mirror of the self as a people. Composed and recorded at the Waianaia Earth Temple in Kapaʻau on the Big Island, this album is an homage to democracy, the youngest and, so far, fairest form of government.

Like my live compositions, democracy is imperfect—but imperfection invites curiosity, reflection, and growth. During my live performances, the presence of the live audience plays an important role in the composing process. In our democracies, our presence and participation are key to co-creating what we, the people, want and need.

My album artwork is a dreamlike psychedelic piece I designed around a photo of my best friend on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I first met this tree in 2018.

On my countless drives over Saddle Road from Kona to the Hilo side and back, I always stopped at the Mauna Kea recreation park to go on a few rounds of walking meditation. No matter if it rained, was windy, sunny, or misty, I enjoyed these rounds in solitude, reflecting on the present moment, remembering the past, and dreaming about the future, breathing in the crisp air at an altitude of around 6500 feet or 2000 meters. The scent of the nearby fir trees, the stunning view of Mauna Loa, and the magnificent power of Mauna Kea co-created an interdimensional state of inspiration.

On dry days, you may encounter busy ants, tirelessly traveling along the expansion joints of the walkway’s concrete slabs from one side to the other. Occasionally, you might run into a goat who survived the traffic and helicopter machine gun fire.

Pausing, squatting, watching. Breathing.

One day, I wandered off, and a peculiar-looking tree drew my attention. A little grass patch right in front of it felt like an invitation to meditate, so I sat down and closed my eyes, focusing on my in and out breath. And then, a conversation started. I returned again and again to sit and listen.

Democracy is art. It requires contemplation, imagination, and creative input from many to paint an ever-evolving picture of what we want our communities to look like. The freedom to think critically and offer constructive feedback is another important foundation of this form of government. Freedom from conspiracy leads to freedom of thought and allows for a more nuanced approach to complex problem-solving, building trust in those who are more knowledgeable than ourselves in this or that area. With diversity, equity, and inclusion, democracy shows its unprecedented strength compared to any other form of government. In the cost of capitalism, I address the intergenerational trauma of child soldiers, closing this album with a peaceful transition of power, another key element of a healthy democracy.

δημοκρατία (Democracy) came into existence near Pololū Valley. I asked myself: How do we define fairness? Is our awareness limited not only by our senses but by how well we refine them? Even before AI’s rise, distraction, misinformation, and the flood of data eroded public trust and deepened manipulation by those seeking power and profit.

Hawai’i Island has its very unique way of speaking to me as I close my eyes and allow the creativity to flow. And just like lava during an eruption, this flow is guided, directed, and moving through and around preexisting forms shaped by space and time.

The smell of the jungle as the sun sets. The sound of the coqui frogs as they erupt in their evening mating calls. The shadows of owls and bats as they start their nocturnal hunt. The listeners, dancers, and yogis—present as they co-create togetherness. Everything and everyone represents a kind of unity in diversity, which is also the foundation of a democracy.

I use a so-called destructive recording method; everything is composed live, from scratch, and recorded as a single stereo file, no post-editing beyond mastering. Presence, space, time, and emotion co-create each piece. Like my live compositions, democracy is imperfect—but imperfection invites curiosity, reflection, and growth. Let’s work on it together, as a people.

ABOUT MY WORK

I compose everything live using a 5-string electric violin, a telescopic didgeridoo, and a cajón. My work is sound art created in real time.

Although classical training laid my foundation, I moved away from convention after hearing Deep Purple’s Highway Star performed by my violin teacher’s string quartet. That moment, combined with my fascination for everything between and beyond electronic, world, minimalist, and avant-garde music, led me toward experimental sound design.

The shift to live composition took form in 2018 after the Kīlauea eruption buried my neighborhood in lava. This vivid experience of impermanence, destruction, renewal, and growth inspired me to let go of written scores and begin composing from thin air, layering electric violin with cajón, didgeridoo, and voice; psychedelic symphonies—rising from the present moment.

My work ranges from ambient to energetic live compositions, sometimes with subtle nature and environmental sounds such as footsteps on lava rock, touching fern, ocean waves, and forest winds. All sounds are recorded in the spaces where each piece comes to life, with no backing tracks.

P.S.: Here’s an interesting anecdote from the Age of algorithms, AI, and capitalism. When I sent my album off to the distributor, I received this automated note regarding my release: “This release is not eligible for social media platforms and fingerprinting systems because these services do not accept non-musical, functional, or noise content. Learn more about eligibility criteria.”

Δημοκρατία (Democracy) Live Composition on 5-string Electric Violin, Didjeribone, Voice, Percussion 5 Pieces | 1 Hour 2 Minutes Recorded at the Waianaia Earth Temple, Kapaʻau, Hawaiʻi Artwork by Markus Mars Photo by Markus Mars ℗ & © 2025 Markus Mars