SJ: Hey Tyler! It’s so nice to get to talk and finally discuss this project.
CH: Hey Stefani! Thank you so much for having me!
SJ: I know you release your music under the artist name, Chawktaw. Can you elaborate on the meaning of the name?
CH: So I was making music for a long time and couldn’t think of a name to use. So I went with my middle name and my street name I grew up on, which came out to be James Choctaw. I found this name too long and shortened it to just Chawktaw, and here we are!
SJ: That is so creative! How would you describe yourself as an artist and the music you create?
CH: I would describe myself as someone who pushes positivity, self-love, and oneness through the confines of bass music! I create bass-heavy music, more focused on sub frequencies (the stuff ya feel).
SJ: Does any of your music involve lyrics, or are they primarily soundscapes?
CH: Mostly just soundscapes or some funny samples I like!
SJ: Let’s talk about your project, Sanatio. When I first heard your project for the first time, probably about a year ago, I was genuinely impressed by the intent and purpose behind the project and each track. Could you explain in your own words the story behind this project and how it came about? Has the way music affects the brain and human emotions always been something that interested you?
CH: So Sanatio came to be because I had a fascination with sound frequencies and how we can use sound to heal internally. Through this curiosity, I found sound healing to be a very fascinating topic in this realm. Through the use of resonating certain frequencies, sound can make the brain do some interesting things! After realizing my fascination for sound healing, Chakras (spirituality) are loosely connected with certain colors and, therefore, frequencies! After realizing this, the project sort of flowed out naturally in the order it is presented. I always had a fascination with sound healing and how we can use sound other than dancing material.
SJ: You mentioned that this project is also released under a label. Which label and how did that come about? Will you be working with a label moving forward as well?
CH: Abysmal Entities contacted me about releasing a potential song on their platform. After showing them “E” of the project, they wanted to release the whole thing and loved the intention behind each track.
SJ: Let’s put each track under the microscope, starting with “H.”
CH:
TRACK 1 - “H”
This is the vibrational tone of the Earth’s day. It is dynamic, energizing, and vitalizing. Use the Solfeggio frequency UT – ‘Liberating Guilt and Fear.’
Releases from guilt and fear. Guilt often represents one of the basic obstacles to realization. 396Hz liberates the energy and enables the achievement of goals in the most direct way.
This track represents the root chakra with a focus and concentration on the frequency 396Hz. This is the beginning of the project, so I tried to implement a slow beginning reminiscent of “Box Breathing” in meditation. The pulse of the piece is meant to be listened to while performing these breaths.
TRACK 2 - E
Reflecting on the tone of the lunar month, this strongly correlates with our desire for change and progress, something that requires much creativity.
This is the tone of the synodic moon (lunar month, which is different from the Earth’s month). Use the Solfeggio frequency RE – ‘Undoing Situations and Facilitating Change.’
Produces energy to bring about change. 417Hz clears destructive influences of past events and puts you in touch with an inexhaustible source of energy that allows you to change your life.
In this piece, we have constant attention to the frequency of 417Hz, also known as the “Sacral” Chakra frequency. With so many conventional meditation pieces, I decided to take a much different approach and convert meditation to rhythm and motion. Everything is tuned to this frequency and is constantly flowing together in the same way the sounds of the previous piece accomplished. Focus on the rhythm and flow.
TRACK 3 - A
This is the tone of the sun. Use the Solfeggio frequency MI – ‘Transformation and Miracles (DNA Repair).’
Brings transformation and miracles into your life. 528Hz frequency activates your imagination, intention, and intuition to operate for your highest and best purpose.
“A” is supposed to be a sort of “sun dance” in a way at the beginning of the tune. The ascending melodies are supposed to be reminiscent of a sunrise. This piece is to invoke a playful atmosphere but not forgetting about transformation and change. This change can sometimes be overwhelming and intense to those who are resistant to change, so the ending of the piece is sort of a standstill in the face of the frequency, facing the change and fears head-on.
TRACK 4 - L
This is the tone of the Earth’s year. Use the Solfeggio frequency of FA – ‘Connecting/Relationships.’
Dealing with relationships problems – those in family, between partners, friends, or social problems. When talking about cellular processes, 639 Hz frequency can encourage the cell to communicate with its environment.
This song deals with relationship repair or just repair in general. The lovely melodies and major chords with grains and other sounds flooding the piece can represent the ever-changing nature of love and the uncertainty of it. This song
was meant to be a relaxing meditative piece to breathe and reflect too. The second half of this song is building on the flood of sounds in the first half and amplifying it.
TRACK 5 - I
This is the tone of the planet Mercury. Use the Solfeggio frequency of SOL – ‘Awakening Intuition.’
Leads you into the power of self-expression, which results in a pure and stable life. The intent behind the 741 Hz frequency is to solve and cleanse.
This frequency is supposed to lead you into self-expression, so I made a song to represent awakening with the aggressive bass noises and the sub-bass. This is a piece I would find myself normally creating without the focus on frequencies. The sample tells a story of consciousness and how life is a good show.
TRACK 6 - N
This is the tone of the planet Venus. Use the Solfeggio frequency of LA – ‘Returning to Spiritual Order.’
Linked to the ability to see through the illusions of your life, such as hidden agendas of people, places, and things. 852 Hz raises awareness and lets you return to spiritual order.
This song is a straight dub tune about self-liberation and self-awareness. I attempted to make the tune sound more sacred with the use of some western instruments mixed with the dub nature of this song.
TRACK 7 - G
This is the tone of the Platonic Year, otherwise known as the Great Year, or a period of 25,800 years. Use the Solfeggio frequency of TI – the ‘Higher Frequency’ of the crown chakra.
The frequency of 963 Hz is connected with the Light and enables direct experience. Re-connects you with the Spirit or the non-vibrational energies of the spiritual world.
This song is a Frankenstein song of all the songs combined together and returned to 963Hz. This is a completely experimental piece that is meant to make you really question what’s happening in this world. I wanted to make something that sounded like a transcendent experience but very challenging. This piece is meant to be remembered as a memory of what this piece aims to accomplish.
SJ: Which came first, the track titles to spell out “Healing,” or all the intended tracks just happened to amount to seven, and then the word was chosen?
CH: Hahaha! I just got lucky, to be honest, but I like to think that everything happens for a reason!
SJ: How did you find each frequency and their related emotions and human perceptions?
CH: So, for the actual frequency stuff, I did a lot of research with the seven chakras of the body. I found that there are these frequencies called the solfeggio, and they are pretty much the frequency of each chakra and the related purpose and intention of these frequencies. Something that I found interesting about this project is that lower chakras, such as the root chakra, have a lower tone and often a grounding intention. I think that’s why this album came out so bassy, hahaha.
SJ: Do you practice any chakra-involved activities such as yoga or reiki?
CH: Yes! I do yoga, meditation, and breath-work most days when I wake up!
SJ: Do you prefer releasing thoughtful projects such as Sanatio or singles?
CH: I think they both have their charm! For the more strictly bassy dubstep 140BPM music I make, I definitely prefer singles because it makes mixing them easier.
SJ: What can we look forward to next from Chawktaw?
CH: Sooooo…. I may have a whole other album coming out in the few months entitled “Pink”..... But that’s for another time! Expect a bunch of shows and tunes over the summer into the fall :)
SJ: Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with The MIC. Really looking forward to what sounds you create next!
CH: Thank you again for having me! All my love! Appreciate all the kind words!
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Beautifully written ! Great job 👌