Axel Mundi A few words with Axel Mundi, a composer and musician, working with synthesizers, woodwinds, and various unusual ethnic instruments. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself, and your band. Axel: I have been a musician for about 50 years. In the 1990s I was part of the Seattle Music Scene in a band called Diamond Fist Werny. Since 2007 I have been embarked on a solo project called Axel Mundi Music, composing and recording my own music and offering it for sale on my website, axelmundi.com, and through online stores such as CD Baby. LB: How did you start out making music? Axel: I began in the church choir at the age of eight. When in the fifth grade, I began playing clarinet at school. This continued through high school. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you're doing now? Axel: I grew up in the 1960s and in those days all pop music was played together on FM radio, regardless of genre. I was particularly interested in psychedelic and acid rock, from the Beatles to the Chambers Brothers, to Jefferson Airplane and Procol Harum. The music I am doing now is an attempt to carry the concept of psychedelic music to a new level. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Axel: My latest release is called "The Chemical Marriage". It is a set of songs continuing my quest for mind-elevating (psychedelic) sound and includes a 20-minute suite called "Alchemy". LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Axel: I do not currently play live as my solo approach and the complexity of the music are best suited to the studio at this point. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Axel: I have loved the recording process and making my own recordings since the days of reel-to-reel tape. I play music I would like to listen to and hope others will like it as well. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Axel: My website, and I also offer my CDs at CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, iTunes, and many other download sites - some links below. www.axelmundi.com www.cdbaby.com/all/axelmundi Axel Mundi - Northwest Passage Axel Mundi - Nowhere Axel Mundi - 99 Yugas