COMING SOON
Subway Bhaktis are Rachel Zinman and Nyck Jeanes with producer and musicianKamal Engels (just nominated for the 2011 GRAMMY AWARDS!)
Rachel and Nyck are based in Byron Bay, Australia, where their albums were recorded, but these chants and songs were first conceived when they were living in New York City from 2000 – 2004.
Rachel was teaching ISHTA yoga in NYC and as part of her studies discovered the joys of chanting. She would often practice mantras in the subways – commuting to and fro beneath the city making up melodies to help her remember them. At home with harmonium and guitar these chants became musical pieces.
In 2003 their friend, music producer Kamal Engels, came and stayed in New York. They shared some music; some laughs, and acted as his tour guide.
Over the next year they were writing tunes, singing chants, and riding a lot of trains. They began doing Kirtans and people wanted recordings. Then in September 2004 Rachel and Nyck moved back to Australia via Sri Lanka, where music seemed to flow freely. By early 2005 they were pretty determined to record these chants written on the subways and their Brooklyn apartment; in the coconut breezes of Sri Lanka and Belize; and in the wide green backyards of Byron Bay. Kamal was more than ready to help the manifestation and so the Subway Bhaktis were born.
