Ami Sciulli: Quartz Crystal and High Frequency Bowls, Percussions, Chimes.
Steve Sciulli: Enchanced Japanese Shakuhachi, Bansuri, Concert Flutes, Hard and Soft Synths, Lap Steel Guitar and Programming
Influences
Eno, Robert Fripp, George Harrison, Van der Graaf Generator, Yes, Peter Gabriel, early Tangerine Dream, and organic sounds.
Sounds Like
Eno, World trance music, Trance America, Sound Healing Music.
From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Personality Test: Steve and Ami Sciulli
The Steel City isn't exactly known as a hotbed of New Age music, but Life in Balance -- deep in the quiet, leafy suburb of Oakmont -- is really starting to make some noise.
Well, some flowing, extremely mellow, chilled-out noise, at least.
Steve and Ami Sciulli have been making experimental soundscapes and mind-expanding music since 1996, using synthesizers, flutes, Shakuhachi (a Japanese string instrument) and "chakra-tuned quartz crystal singing bowls."
Steve has been a fixture in local art and music circles for 20 years, from co-founding the Celtic rock band Ploughman's Lunch to composing music for countless theater, dance and performing arts groups.
Recently, Life in Balance hosted the first "Festival of Sleep" at Your Inner Vagabond Coffeehouse & World Lounge in Pittsburgh, where listeners were invited to relax and go to sleep to the soothing sounds of their music. Check out www.lifeinbalancemusic.com for upcoming gigs, CDs and special events.
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
Maybe Steve Buscemi. He seems like someone I would have grown up with in Bloomfield.
Childhood hero:
Abbie Hoffman -- shows how social change can occur through humor.
Pick your favorite captain:
A. Kirk
B. Kangaroo
C. Crunch
D. Jack Sparrow
Captain Trips.
If the TV is on at 2 a.m., I'm watching:
History, Science or Discovery channels -- or on the Net. Sorry, but behind this cool charm, I'm just a geek.
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
A hillside picnic with Paramahansa Yogananda and George Harrison, as Jesus and Buddha splash and laugh in a nearby lake.
After a long day, I like to relax with a (pick one)
A. Martini
B. Cold beer
C. Cabernet
D. Herbal tea
B. A 16-ounce cold Straub -- because it's honestly fresh.
My quirkiest inherited traits:
I won't eat anything within two weeks of its expiration date, and my imagined allergic reaction to strawberries.
My favorite sandwiches, plus fixings:
Boca soy sausage with fried peppers and onions, organic ketchup and a few drops of hot sauce.
Celebrity crush:
Brian Eno's brain.
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
A Beatle -- still do.
Vegetable I won't eat:
Cauliflower -- it looks too much like a brain.
I'm deathly afraid of:
Poverty of the spirit, normality and fundamentalism in any form.
If I were auditioning for "American Idol," my song would be:
Never watched it. If it's a dance show, my song would be "21st Century Schizoid Man."
The first band I saw in concert:
I think Alice Cooper -- early '70s, "Love It to Death" tour.
TV marathon I could watch all day and why:
"The Andy Griffith Show." I think Don Knotts was the funniest man on TV. Plus, I live in Oakmont, which reminds me of Mayberry. Also, "Twin Peaks," but they never show those.
The person I'm most often mistaken for:
Gene Wilder. Don't know why.
The worst advice I ever received:
We'll fix it in the mix.
In high school, I was:
Exploring the outer boundaries of sonic possibilities with homemade electronics and a $20 oz.
The most famous person I ever became friends with:
Got drunk with ex-Beatle Peter Best.
Choose one:
A. John
B. Paul
C. George
D. Ringo
They were one entity with four heads, each part adding to the whole, four directions toward one destination. Add Stu Sutcliffe to the mix, because he gave them a style and a coolness.
My most recent eBay purchase:
Hartmann Neuron Artificial Intelligent Re-Synthesizer.
The movie that always makes me cry:
"The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" because keyboard playing was associated with evil.
My most treasured fashion accessory is:
My hair.
If I weren't a musician, I'd be:
This is not what I do, but it is who I am. I'm a synthesizer in the traditional sense of the word. It's not a choice.
The last book I read:
"Analog Days," the invention and impact of the Moog Synthesizer by Trevor Pinch. But mostly I'm reading instrument manuals.
It's not pizza without:
An old movie.
My favorite Web site:
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com
My most memorable fashion mistake:
Wearing tennis shoes. Can't stand them.
Pick a Bond:
A. Sean Connery
B. Timothy Dalton
C. Pierce Brosnan
D. Daniel Craig
None of the above -- the eternal bond with all life.
My childhood nickname was:
The Lone Ranger. I learned how to appear and disappear with no one noticing, moving between the fabrics of space and time.
My favorite "bad" movie is:
"Superbad."
My first job:
Musician -- my only job.
My worst job:
Musician -- with no gigs.
My favorite cable channel:
The Science Channel, followed by MSNBC and sometimes TCM.
If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:
Any band that utilizes music beyond its entertainment value, Life In Balance.
I never travel without my:
Sanitize wipes. Being on the road for long periods of time, you need to stay germ-free and shiny.
People would be surprised to know that:
I'm an astro-nut. I have a large collection of signed astronaut memoirs.
Music for Quartz Crystal Bowls, electronically enhanced world Flutes, Synthesizers, Lap Steel Guitar and Theremin
Formed: 1996
Life In Balance is a nationally touring duo committed to
using sacred musical instruments blended with current
technology to create a high-frequency sonic environment.
Quick Quotes
Steve and Ami have been on a mission for years promoting the holistic healing
arts of music. They are at the edge and in the center, knocking on the door to the perpendicular universe!"
Jim Brenholts, "Tracks Across the Universe: Chronology of Ambient and
Electronic Music"
"Their music ranges from deep meditative drones to the electronica
dance grooves of their latest CD, STAR. Life in Balance shows us
the way."
John Diliberto, syndicated NPR program host, "Echoes"
"Life In Balance not only promotes healing through music but they
deliver. At the Universal Lightworkers conference their workshop took
the attendees on a multi dimensional healing process that kept
everyone coming back for more. Their music is a transformational
experience that you will NEVER forget."
Robin Rose, Event Coordinator - Universal Lightworkers Conference.
"Listening to the Life In Balance CD is a wonderful way to bathe your body and your soul in the healing unguent of sound during these challenging times. Keep shining your magnificent Light!"
Patti Cota-Robles, Author and President of New Age Study of Humanity's Purpose
"I have been using the sounds of "Star" in several of my workshop because I and the participants feel this is meditative music that creates resonance with the very deepest levels of our souls"
Carl Johan Calleman, Author - "Mayan Calendar"
"Sacred resonances that feed the soul."
Lee Carroll, Author - Kryon Writings
"Life In Balance "Star"-- some good old 21st century positive energy.
Star, quite simply, should be in your CD collection. Make it so!"
Gordon Danis, AtmoWorks Records
I just experienced live the magic and transformative power of Life In
Balance. I attended three sound sessions in a row because each time
I went a mile deeper into my True Self than I have ever gone before.
During the sessions I went exploring my world of beliefs and feelings
consciously, making changes as I realized that many beliefs and
emotions no longer serve me. A refreshing and liberating journey.
Thank you!"
Keith Varnum, Author and Speaker, Phoenix, AZ
Life In Balance has built a strong and supportive national
audience through consistent touring and syndicated radio
play.
Their CD "deeper" has secured a place on numerous
top lists of the year. Their CDs are played on rotation
though out the country and abroad.
Their CD is one of the top selling
albums for Backroads Music.
Other CD include their meditation CD "Soundhealer", "Star" which
music for movement and dance. "Om to Ohm" their song based recording
on Koch Records. Their latest "Crystal Bowl Meditation - a vibratory
journey into deep meditative states" on The Relaxation Company label.
This is part of the Theta Meditation Series. Very meditative and textured music.
All of these CDs are available at various online stores including Amazon.com.
Life In Balance recently recorded a half hour interview and
performance segment for the syndicated
National Public Radio (NPR) program Echoes
as part of their Living Room Concert series and can also be heard
on the radio program "Music from the Hearts of Space".
In addition, Life In Balance has performed with authors:
Deepak Chopra, Robert Thurman, Lee Carroll and Patricia
Cote-Robles; and have performed with many musicians
including Robert Rich, Rusted Root, Dharma Bums, Krishna
Das and The Drpung Gomang Tibetan Monks.
Life In Balance has performed in many diverse venues
such as theater and concert halls, the International New Age
Trade Shows (both east and west), Art and Music Festivals
throughout the country, The Andy Warhol Museum, Buhl
Planetarium, Carnegie Science Center, yoga studios, health
centers and spas, observatories and botanical gardens
throughout the US.
Life In Balance has also composed theme and background
music for the International Sculptural Society and dance
groups, and wrote music for meditation CDs/DVDs. They
have also appeared on both local and national television.
Short Bio's: Steve Sciulli:Enhanced Japanese Shakuhachi, Bansuri,
concert Flutes, Lap Steel Guitar, Synths and Theremin.
Steve built his first synthesizer at the age of 10 and started the flute at 14.
Founding member of Celtic rock band "Ploughmans Lunch" and numerous other
regional and national touring musical groups.
Steve's input in the regional music and art scene has been well documented
and written about over the last 20 years. He has composed and recorded music for over thirty major theater, dance, and performance art groups. Steve has organized numerous
musical events though out the Western Pennsylvania
region.
A partial list of musicians that Steve has recorded
with: Paddy Keenan (Bothy Band), Philip Chevon (The Pogues), Pat Kilbride (The Battlefield Band).
Steve has played support shows for such diverse groups as:
U2, Red Hot Chile Peppers, Echo and the Bunnymen,
Rusted Root and Ani Difranco. Complete discography
available upon request.
Ami Sciulli: Chakra-tuned Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls and
percussion. A student of Reiki and the healing arts since
1987. Personal quote: " Through the high vibrations of the
quartz crystal bowls, it is my desire to create synchronicity
and expanded consciousness so that we may live a more
enlightened life. Performing music with Life In Balance is
my destiny, my reason for being."
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hi! iam wolfgang the guitarist of dreamscape. we should learn to be the best persons we can be and our world will change. i try. but it's not as easy as playing guitar in a high class band...
H. Jackson Brown: Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece -- by thought, choice, courage, and determination.
kind regards! DREAMSCAPE (progressive metal from germany) (new cd september 2009! - buy or let die!)
Hi Thank you for the add. The crystal bowls here are beautiful and some of your strange, alien sounds are great. My favourite of the four pieces here would be Viburnum. It..s really nice to have you as a friend here, on MySpace. Wishing you a beautiful spring this year.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
Take care and keep in touch.
Best, Faber.
"Just a guy trying to make the world a better place. "
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