Track By Tracks: Maitreya - Auxesis (2024)

Auxesis is a Greek word for growth. We felt this was an accurate depiction of the state and development of the band during this album cycle. It became like a motto, ‘in the spirit of Auxesis’ - to operate in a fashion that allows us to grow to our full potential as individuals and as musicians.

The album is rich with a depth of sonic layers such that the listener can yield new discoveries after multiple listens. The complexity of the music is subtle, making it accessible to general audiences but also intriguing to the advanced, musically inclined demographics. There’s a strong poetic focus to create an artistic work ripe with emotional and philosophical commentaries on the human condition.

1. Paradigm:

Paradigm musically is based on two core ideas; a patterned harmonic sequence and rhythmic modulations over 6/8 time.

It started with a Maj7#11 chord voicing I got from Allan Holdsworth. The goal was to have this Lydian modal sound modulate to various keys using the interval sequence of a Major 3rd down, followed by a minor 3rd down before repeating. When mapped out to a Circle of 5ths diagram, these sequences generate interesting geometric patterns.

There’s a 6/8 arpeggio idea that is present throughout each section. Rhythmically we wanted to attempt different polyrhythm and polymeter ideas against this 6/8 ostinato. As each new section modulates harmonically, it also modulates in time signature.

For the lyrics, we were inspired by the title of the instrumental to make our concept about a shift in perspective. Learning to understand the relationship between your feelings and your identity. Some people choose to let their emotions consume them when they are only a part of their identity. We talked a few times about including spoken word passages in a song and Paradigm was the perfect candidate for that. Each spoken section evokes a different character with a range of perspectives on the larger concept.

2. Still Motion:

Many of the compositions are inspired by practice and studies of Yogic traditions. This song in particular is based on the experience of expansion felt in meditation. The attempt musically was to capture the type of motion felt in an astral out-of-body experience, while still remaining conscious of the physical body. Most notable of this effect compositionally is the rhythmic interplay used in the chorus section. The rhythm has a way of syncopating on and off the beat, creating a type of non-resolving momentum.

Lyrically Still Motion is about gaining the benefit of stillness in clarity and awareness. Being able to forgive yourself for straying from your path, and learning as much as you can along the way.

3. The Traveler:

The seed idea for this song can be traced to a goofy way we would cover Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine. Mark(guitar) would set up a wah effect on a clean channel for that “70’s porn-funk” kind of sound and do a reggae-funk thing against the hip-hop-inspired verse rap section. basically thought it would be funny to have a song that drifted in between this jazz-funk-reggae hybrid with metal. This is something I found 12 Foot Ninja executed well on, pretty sure I also ripped off the intro chord progression from one of their songs to get the ball rolling on this tune.

The Traveler is lyrically rooted in hurt and displacement. Dealing with feelings of betrayal and a breakdown of communication. We all need to overcome that trap of delusion that leads us to place blame during a hard time.

4. Vestigial Memories:

This song instrumentally is the oldest tune on the EP, dating back to an original demo titled Glacier in 2018. During the period of time in my life when Mark wrote this song, he was undergoing radiation treatment post-oral cancer surgery. Reflecting on the vibe of the music now, it sounds hopeful and optimistic about future health but also highlights the emotional darkness and physical suffering of the experience.

Finding peace inside the sea of memories that exist within you at all times. Exercising discernment on which memories to prune and which memories to hold dear is not an easy task. Growth through gaining fluid attachment to the experiences of your life and the process of building that capacity is the theme of this song.

5. Arcana:

This song is inspired by the band, Arcane Roots. The way they incorporated synths and vocal harmonies into their sound resonated deeply. While emulating their work, Mark found that there’s a kind of simplicity that can yield a very powerful sonic result - which comes across in the chorus sections of this song most of all.

Arcana’s lyrics are about magic, mysticism, and spirituality. The direction for this came about in a conversation amongst the band about faith and our various experiences with it. The path we chose to take with it was to speak about growth through both surrender and perseverance. Learning to trust that the truth is there all around you and that the journey is worth it.