Local Musician Udayvladv Tawoda Talks to Mama B at New Art Shop

So, I was looking for something interesting in the local music scene, and thought I'd check out what was happening in Clarion, the closest college town. At the opening of a groovy little art shop called, "Art Funkels", I was drawn in by the amazing sound of a Native American flute and knew I had found the music I was looking for. This flute player was like no one I've seen locally...you could tell he'd been places, lived experiences bigger than those of most folks around here. His name was Tawoda and here's what I found out...

Mama B: "So, Tawoda,...what an interesting name. Can you tell me about your name? It's quite unique, is it a Native American name? I don't want to offend you, but I was wondering if you were indeed, Native?"

Tawoda: "Yes, it is. It is Cherokee. It means shadow hawk. My grandmother explained it to me in this way. I am to be a shadow to other people's beliefs, to honor and not offend and hawk meaning to keep the aggressive vision of the dreams and goals in your life. So, I try hard in my life to live up to that."

Mama B: "Wow, that is so interesting...I love to hear about people who have meaningful names."

Mama B: "So, you're opening for Art Funkels...how are you acquainted with this cool little shop?"

Tawoda: "I am on the board of directors for the shop. The vision of the shop is to showcase local artists and to provide arts programming to local children in Clarion."

Mama B: "Are you playing anywhere else at the moment?"

Tawoda:"Actually, I am working with a musician from Erie named Greg Ross. We are doing some recording with my flute and his guitar." "I also take my music into prisons and schools as outreach for a non-profit called Integrated World Arts Inc." "Other than that, I'm always up for a jam session with friends in Meadville and New York, or anywhere!"

Mama B: "Can you tell me about your musical background? You know, like your training, any bands you've been in...tell me about your journey through music."

Tawoda: "Hmm, Well, Music has always been very important to me. Seems there's always been instruments around me. I grew up around instruments and jam sessions. I've never taken any formal lessons, I'm self-taught. I've played in numerous bands including, CIA, Northern Lights, and a few others, but mostly I've played by myself."

Mama B: "What was your most memorable show?"

Tawoda: " Oh, it would have to be when my friend Gordon and I were playing for a retirement show and a little old lady whispered loudly "Look, one of them has no hair at all and the other has hair all the way down to his butt!"...She announced it with great authority and it took all we had to hold it together!"

Mama B: " Who or what inspired you to begin training? What were your musical influences?"

Tawoda: "Well, I think the need to express myself is what drove me to it. I had no idea that I'd ever be in a band or play for other people. I started out as a drummer...anyway, hmmm...Some of my influences were Eric Clapton, The Beatles, a lot of MoTown stuff...I had a lot of influences."

Mama B: "Which musicians do you feel drawn to as mentors?"

Tawoda: "Eric Clapton because he's gone through some very real experiences and portrays that well through his music. He uses his music to express his pain..an example is when his son died."

Mama B: " I'm dying to know...what's in your I-pod right now?"

Tawoda: "Janie's got a gun...Aerosmith, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Barry Manilow Carlos Nakai, and Raphael Bejarano."

Mama B: "What are your future plans musically?"

Tawoda: " To keep meeting other musicians and collaborating with others...I'm enjoying mixing Tibetan bowls with guitars and my flute and drum. I plan to continue making recordings and find a market for them."

Mama B: "Do you currently play any original music?"

Tawoda: " Yes! I have a song I'd like to sing for you now! No, really, I love to compose my own pieces and do so regularly."

Mama B: "What are you trying to convey through your music?"

Tawoda:. " Umm...Right now, I am just writing to express my spirit. Writing to get my things out, not for any certain audience."

Mama B: "Do you play strictly flute or are you a jack of all musical trades?"

Tawoda: "Whoa, lookout! Not of all of them, but I do play other instruments...I play flute, drum, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, conch shell."

Mama B: "Which of those is your favorite instrument to play? Or do you have a fave?"

Tawoda: "I enjoy all of them, they're all useful for expressing different things."

Mama B: "How would you describe the sound of Tawoda?"

Tawoda: "Cosmic! My music will take you anywhere you want to go....just close your eyes and enjoy the journey."

Mama B: "What does playing music do for you? How does it benefit you as a person?"

Tawoda: " It helps me get my emotions out in a healthy way. I enjoy learning it, hearing it and physically playing it. It serves as a release at the end of a long day."

Mama B: "Do you find your music attracts chicks? Ever have any undergarments thrown in your direction?"

Tawoda:"Well, I did find that my dancing attracted girls when I first started music...but no, never any undergarments but I've certainly connected with other people through music...."

Mama B: "When you're not opening for funky little art shops, how do you spend your time?"

Tawoda:."I enjoy playing music with my children, watching them beat the drums and play their own style of funky music. I teach martial arts in the local community. I travel as an educational consultant for teachers of at-risk youth. I love to create art and I'm just diving into the world of photography which speaks to me as another means of self-expression."

Mama B: "When and where can folks hear you play next?"

Tawoda: " In my front room, next Wednesday when I return from Connecticut. I will bathe around 7:00 and then I'll start playing around 7:30! Other than that, right now, I'll be in the studio working on a recording."

Mama B: "Is there any contact info you'd like to make available to fans?"

Tawoda: "Well, you know, they can contact me by email at busselltribe@yahoo.com or via my website at www.integratedworldarts.com. Thanks for the support! It's always nice to look out in the audience and recognize a few faces."

Mama B: "Well, I was honored to hear you play tonight, you were very effective at drawing people in and the music felt great! Thanks for taking a moment to give me the inside scoop on the music of Udayvladv Tawoda...I hope to hear much more from you and wish you all the best!"

Tawoda: "Thank you, Mama B...look for my next cd!"