with an open heart

SPANDA, a new concept music collective, was established in April of 2006 by Rieah Masubuchi and Rick Borgia. Inspired by the form of Kirtan music – featuring call and response, SPANDA combines contemporary music with ancient mantras to create a new collection of songs, adapting various styles of chant in different languages and from different spiritual traditions.

“I believe that music existed before the first words were spoken and I think music is the language which allows us to communicate with God, or the greatest mind, or the Absolute, whatever one may call it”, says Rieah. In all religions, music is used to praise God. Composed in traditional forms, the words are different from the language we use in our daily lives. “When we sing ancient syllables, there is no attachment that comes with our experience associated with modern language. For example, how about the word God? Or sins? Or prayer, punishment, discipline...? Each one of us has had certain experiences with those words and those experiences can often inhibit us from being free and pure. It’s just a natural reaction we feel about certain words. When we sing the name of the Creator, we simply want to express our gratitude, not to be reminded of past experiences. Singing in different languages opens up a direct path to our hearts.”

SPANDA is more than a concept music band, it is a collective. It consists of singers and musicians, of course, then graphic designers, writers, choreographers, marketing, public relations, accountants, as well as stage managers, crew; lighting, sound engineers, and so on. Each members' unique talents and participation allows SPANDA to perform in the best possible circumstances. SPANDA is a new and unique concept connecting people through spiritual musical discovery. If you would like to be a part of Spanda, contact us to let us know what your talent is!