NADAYANA is a Romanian artist and pantam (handpan) performer who started his journey with handspans in 2010. Since 2016 he has been one of the leading acts in handpan culture, with a robust online presence and memorable live performances. Soon after the release of the first official video, while on tour for the “Nine” album, the second video ‘With You’, was launched, gaining popularity across the globe with over 2 million views on YouTube.

Hello! Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience?

Heya! My father was a DJ at the local disco. I would play some cassettes over and over again. However, since I grew up in a small touristic city with limited possibilities, I had to study music on my own later on. I would always have some kind of tune in my mind no matter what I was doing.

What were the main creative challenges you had to face? How have they changed over time?

When I got my first handpan everyone around me was skeptical about a music career due to its limitations. With handpans you always feel like you have too few notes. I only had left to explore layering, dynamics, and “texture”. I had to approach everything like an orchestra. But with time, I learned to “dance” with it. Sometimes they say that “less is more”.

I love exploring sound and the God-given spirit with fellow human beings. It’s just something beyond words.

What would you say about your music to someone who has never heard it?

It’s kind of like water. You can’t really frame it, but you can feel it!

When listeners make their way through your music and hear all the songs, what do you want them to feel?

As for me, music it’s an ongoing spiritual quest, maybe a bit of freedom, maybe a bit of themselves.

What kind of situation do you see your music accompanying?

Those moments when you feel the inner call to go with the flow.

More than anything else, music is a feeling that connects you with nature and places you in the Universe. However, do you consider that the artist thinks about this perspective in their time of creation?

It depends; it’s a very subjective matter. For example, in my time of creation, I don’t think about physical places. But nature definitely can help to get in tune.

If the human mind is related to an energy of the Universe, do you think music is what makes the connections? Discuss that.

When something like music moves us deeply, that is because we feel it in our hearts. It’s like a part of our being that came back after a long prodigal journey. The music is the story of unification. That is why we like to experience it together.

Where do you think your music will find its fulfillment and inner peace if it travels the world?

In people’s hearts. If it inspires a bit of healing, then my job is done.

Do you have any habits when writing a song?

One of the best ones for me is to unlearn to write a song.

What supports this ideal state of mind, and what are distractions?

This “ideal” state of mind can take many forms. Trying to find something else that what you are given to experience can be a distraction.

Are there strategies to enter into this state more easily? More precisely, how do things work in this sense related to your latest release, “Dissolve”?

The more one thinks the less one feels so… as I said, we should stop trying too hard. Sometimes is not easy. (laugh)

How did you meet Petre Ionutescu, and how did this collaboration come about?

He just appeared in my studio somehow, I don’t know how he materialized himself there, but he is such a source of inspiration! I love it!

In the past, you made a series of exciting collaborations. Well, with which artists would you like to work and why?

I love exploring sound and the God-given spirit with fellow human beings. It’s just something beyond words. I’m open to seeing what Life will bring.

Does literature or any other art passionate to you at all?

Mostly taking inspiration from scriptures of any kind, any religion.

Despite the events throughout history, humanity hasn’t learned much about behaving for its good. To what extent can art improve the world as long as it seems it’s losing its authenticity?

Well, perhaps first of all, we need to understand what it means authentical. It’s an ongoing quest to find the truth. Of course, the quest is always inwards.

How much, do you feel, are creative decisions shaped by cultural differences – and how much, and vice versa, is the perception of sound influenced by cultural differences?

We cannot deny our backgrounds or culture, and we shouldn’t either. But in a big puzzle, there are no better or worse pieces. We just have to find our place in the Cosmic Symphony.

Do you ever consciously think about the art you leave behind after you have died?

I always think about the message and its utility. If there is no message and no utility for a “Greater Good,” then I’m already dead.

Thanks for the questions; really insightful!

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