Mandy Nolan
Lou Van Stone combines her musical talents and spiritual connection into sounds from the divine source.
A classically trained soprano, she has also performed with some of Australia’s leading names in jazz. Lou merges different styles and influences to create a unique sound that’s inspired by her love of mantra and sacred sound. Described as a ‘celestial musician’, Lou taps into the divine source, bringing forth captivating melodies and a powerful healing energy. She is one of the featured artists at Starlight Festival at the Bangalow A&I Hall from Thursday to Sunday.
Tell me what it feels like when you sing.
When I sing I feel my mind completely switches off and everything just comes into balance. It really brings me into the present moment. It’s just the breath and the note and I can feel the vibration throughout my whole body. The way I breathe when I sing helps me to relax and the feel calm. I also feel incredibly alive and exhilarated when I’m singing.
I especially love to sing using a microphone with certain effects such as reverbs and delays. I like the way that it feels, like singing in a bathroom or in a church with amazing acoustics. It feels so rich and full; that’s why we all love singing in the bathroom because the sound of our voice travels back to us so we can feel it through our whole body. Singing for me is like coming home; I always feel like I’m in the right place at the right time when I’m immersed in my music.
How do you approach a song?
I find a song usually approaches me. Songs just seem to pop up when they want to. It’s very rare that I say ‘right, I must write a song’ and then sit down and write one. Most often, I get the chords first then the melody appears.
I will play with that, then a couple of days later the lyrics start to form and I get the idea of what the song is about. The lyric writing is more crafted; I’ll come up with words intuitively and then, once they’re down, I fine-tune those to pull them into shape. I often record ideas straight onto my iPhone or computer and then play them in the car on a loop and work on the song as I’m driving, or in the kitchen.
I really feel that writing a song is totally intuitive and it’s a highly enjoyable process, because it feels totally effortless when I’m completely in the flow. I used to work in advertising and I had to come up with ideas for TV commercials on the spot all day. That was stressful, having to be creative ‘on demand’. Whereas, with writing a song, there’s more freedom just to create when the time is right.
Writing a song is a mixture of intuition and trusting what is coming through and then also there is an element of intellectual input, organising and refining the raw creative elements and pulling them into a structure that works. I also really enjoy the recording and production process. Working in the studio is the next creative stage and is as intuitive as the writing process. Things seem to evolve with a life of their own.
Do you believe music is healing?
I truly believe that music is one of the strongest forms of healing available to us. There is scientific proof that the nervous system communicates through sound and therefore any form of sound going through the body will have a profound effect. Sound is matter, therefore when sound enters the body it is permeating every cell.
For example, if you sing a simple note into someone’s body, it can reach all sorts of areas, like a laser. It’s musical surgery. Music can be used very specifically for healing an individual or a group. Also the very act of singing itself can bring about profound healing in the singer. Even just humming a single note can make you feel very peaceful straight away and can bring you into a sense of oneness and peace.
Certain frequencies are also very powerful and can bring about healing states in people. I’m very interested in conscious electronica where people are utilising certain frequencies to raise people’s consciousness and vibration.
Everyone has their own sound and resonance and to hear your own voice coming back to you is very healing. The area of chanting mantra is also very powerful. Because the mantra sounds are ancient they are like a direct line to divine energy. Chanting and singing deactivates the parietal lobes of the brain and pulls the focus to the frontal lobes, which brings about a feeling of unconditional love and peace. It’s such a wonderful way to unite people and creates a profound sense of community.
How did you combine your musical talent and your spiritual connection?
My spiritual connection and my musical worlds are intrinsically linked. I have a daily meditation practice that I consider part of my music practice.
I feel I connect very deeply on a spiritual level through music. I also love the way that music helps me to push through any limitations I have. I have to come out of my comfort zone, travel, meet new people and always be thrown into new experiences.
So on a personal-development level, music really helps me to grow on a daily basis. It is helping me to become the best version of myself I can be. When I am doing anything musical, I’m truly following my path, I’m in alignment with my purpose. Song is a powerful healing tool. It doesn’t matter what genre of music it is, it’s possible to have an intense spiritual experience through any music that resonates with you.
What should we expect from you at the Starlight Festival?
I’m really looking forward to being part of the Starlight Festival again. It’s such a great event and it feels like we are all part of a big family. I will be playing live conscious music every day, creating a calm and peaceful vibe in the festival space.
I will also be running SoundBath Sessions, where festival-goers can come in, lie down and experience the healing power of sound. During the sessions, I will also be giving people a chance to learn how to their own voices for healing. It’s certainly going to be an amazing weekend; there are so many inspirational speakers, workshops and exhibitors. I can’t wait. .
Starlight Festival is a local community event promoting spirituality, awakening and wellbeing, through participation in workshops, talks, with local practitioners and healers. Thursday–Sunday at Bangalow A&I Hall 9.30am–5pm daily
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