CHÖD

Isaiah Mitchell conjures an instrumental sound that ventures into new territory, bearing a family resemblance to the Earthless sound yet remaining entirely its own thing. We call it “sonic sadhana,” meaning a spiritual journey told through music. The word “chod” is Tibetan and means to sever, to cut off. In the practice of chod, one severs attachment to the ego by engaging in an imaginative practice of cutting up and offering one’s own body to carnivorous dakinis. That’s the story Isaiah tells through his music (and Arik Moonhawk Roper tells through the animated visuals and lightscapes). It echoes the message in the Tibetan Book of the Dead and Psychedelic Experience—embrace your fear and dissolve your self-generated illusions.

“… There is no greater devil than this present ego-clinging, and because of this all the devils will rear their ugly heads as long as one has not severed this clinging to ego.” -Machig Labdrön