Global sonic architect Maejor recently unveiled his new EP Earth Moods: Frequencies (Volume 1) in collaboration with Hollywood Records and National Geographic. The project features five tracks of soothing soundscapes, an accompanying visualiser with historical images from around the world included with every song. The Grammy-nominated Maejor, a musician with a multi-platinum career, has worked with artists like Justin Bieber, Drake, and Frank Ocean.
The project was released as part of The Walt Disney Company’s National Geographic-led Earth Month campaign “Step into Wonder”. The campaign aims to inspire universal care for the planet by sharing stories and experiences from across the globe. It features the National Geographic Earth Month Collection on Disney+, which includes popular content like the engaging Earth Moods and the new seriesSecrets of the Bees, produced by James Cameron.
Listen to Earth Moods: Frequencies (Volume 1) while reading the interview:
Your new project is part of National Geographic’s Earth Month campaign. How did this collaboration influence your creative direction compared to your previous work?
Working together with National Geographic and nature gave me the opportunity to dive deep into my archive of recorded nature sounds and capture more. It was an awesome opportunity to explore that connection point between us and the natural world of planet Earth. I am more and more believing that music rhythm and frequency are in everything.
How did you translate complex concepts such as the Schumann Resonance into something universally understandable in these tracks?
Well, the Schumann resonance has a measurable frequency, and by utilizing tools like binaural beats which have been thought to modulate brainwaves, at the rate of the Schumann Resonance, we were able to experiment with what happens when we attempt to synchronize our brainwaves with the “Earth’s Pulse”. Was pretty fun, and I think groundbreaking to try something like this.
How does creating therapeutic soundscapes differ from producing chart hits with artists like Justin Bieber and Frank Ocean? How does your creative process shift?
It’s all based around intention. These therapeutic soundscapes were crafted to help us reach into deeper stillness and relaxation. Sometimes, the intention can be just as important or more than any specific frequency used. Everything can come back to the power of intention.
You’ve spoken about your cancer survival journey influencing this project. Do you feel like music and sound played a role in your healing?
Music gives me a safe space to go into when creating and can help keep my mind off of some of the darker things that go on in this world. In that way (and many others), it can be a positive tool for improving perspective. I believe that when our nervous system is calm, we can get out of stress, which puts our health at risk. So while I did many other modalities, I believe sound helped as well in my survival experience – definitely for my mental health.
How important are visual elements to you when releasing music?
Visual elements help tell the story in another “language,” which is amazing. The team at National Geographic did the best job of these 1 of 1 unique visual masterpieces to help tell the part that the music can’t.
Songs on the project, such as ‘Stonehenge Awakening’ and ‘Victoria Falls’, reference very specific locations. Why did you choose them, and what do they symbolise in the context of the album?
These places were chosen based on their unique energy and soundscape, that I thought could be used to create relaxing music. Each of the locations had signature elements of nature that are specific to that location. I thought this reflected perfectly with how each one of us is unique.
What kind of listener experience or transformation are you hoping this project sparks?
I am hoping each listener has an opportunity to connect with themselves, with a higher power, with the earth, and all of its inhabitants. For us to remember that we are all one and connected through love
What can fans expect next from you?
I am working on music for hope – something I can leave behind and be proud when I leave this planet (speaking of Earth Month lol) stay tuned!
Follow Maejor on Instagram.
