I had never really looked into sound baths before, let alone plan to attend one in person.
Although David Hickey of @crystaljourneyman doesn't like to call them sound baths, they are definitely not your average concert.
The gongs and crystal bowls make specific frequencies of sound and in my personal experience, there is some sort of therapeutic effect.
In our previous episode with Dr. Valorie Masuda, she shares that they do in fact use sound baths as a form of therapy.
David has given a lot to evolving his Crystal Journey shows and if you have not yet already - have a look if he's playing in your city and experience it for yourself!
Keep up to date with David Hickey on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystaljourney
More details:
I sat down with David Hickey from Crystal Journey, a Canadian musician who's been performing sonic concerts for over 20 years. David plays planetary gongs including Mars gong, Venus gong, Earth gong, Jupiter gong, Saturn gong, moon gong and symphonic gong alongside crystal bowls, singing bowls, harmonica and santur. His sound healing approach draws from Pythagoras frequencies and creates immersive sound experiences.
David discovered his path after following the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia for five years, attending over 150 concerts as a Deadhead. When Jerry Garcia passed away, David found crystal bowls and gongs filled that musical void. His journey started with a single show in Hamilton, Ontario using Rubbermaid tables, evolving into cross-Canada tours through word of mouth and grassroots promotion.
We met David at Salt Spring Island's Ganges Yoga Studio, owned by Luna, after attending his meditative experience. His approach differs from typical sound baths - he calls them sonic concerts with completely improvised music. David’s ADHD keeps him moving. He creates therapeutic music that promotes stress relief, relaxation and holistic healing through vibrational therapy.
David's upcoming 60 shows in 60 nights tour spans British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan, probably makes him the first solo artist to attempt such an ambitious touring schedule. His live performance style incorporates frequency healing, 432 Hz music and vibrational healing principles. The quartz crystal bowls and planetary gongs create soundscapes for meditation, mindfulness and spiritual journey experiences.
From Pink Floyd and 80s music influences to Bob Dylan comparisons, David's music evolution represents alternative wellness approaches. His concert experience offers healing music without claiming medical benefits, focusing on live sound experience and ambient music for wellness. Each gong concert and gong bath provides transformational music through sacred sound and healing vibrations.
The Canadian sound artist continues touring as a solo artist, bringing new age music and therapeutic sound to yoga studios and wellness centers. His sound therapy sessions offer music for meditation and music for relaxation through immersive sound meditation concerts across Canada.