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LIQUID MIND |
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Taking its place among the many other superb album titles in the Liquid Mind catalog, Liquid Mind XV: In The Love stands out with its own set of sonic elements. Well in keeping with the critically acclaimed titles mentioned above, as well other definitive Liquid Mind titles released since the 1990’s, the emphasis of In The Love is focused on the entrancing, healing tones of Chuck Wild’s meditative sonic soundscapes, with all tracks featuring an array of synthesized electronica. Leading up to the full-length album release of In The Love were the first two singles taken from the album: “Gratitude” and “Soul Whispers”. Released on Valentine’s Day 2025 Liquid Mind XV: In The Love is able to mirror, through the magic of electronic music, desirable expressions of love by instilling these humbling and hopeful human conditions through practices such as gratitude and meditation. On the Liquid Mind website, Chuck Wild details the various aspects of how love can influence one’s life experiences. The sedate and introspective ambiance of the album will easily put the listeners into a place where love can be both expected and accepted. With song titles such as “Gratitude”, “Sanctuary”, “Forgiveness” and of course the title track reflecting the sonic stance of this latest Liquid Mind experience, In The Love provides a solution to the rough and tumble world of the 2020’s. In the stark reality of life on Earth in 2025, it may be hard to slow down the mind and catch your breath, yet listening to Liquid Mind XV: In The Love will keep you one step ahead of your obsessions.
mwe3.com presents the 2025 interview with Chuck Wild of LIQUID MIND
Chuck Wild: Thanks for the opportunity, Robert. As you know, the titles of my albums have always been, and continue to be, a reflection of my journey to healing and staying well. Not only in the United States, but also in the world at large, there may continue to be some division and disagreement, it’s the nature of life. However, I believe that the fabric that can hold and heal a healthy society together is love, and that is my focus with Liquid Mind XV: In The Love. Love can come from many places, not only from meaningful relationships, but also by being of service to others, by finding peace within ourselves, by meaningful work, by expressions of gratitude and love, and in many other ways. If we are willing souls, we need never be deprived of love in our lives mwe3: Some might say love is passe in these early 21st century days. I remember the global love movement of the 1960s when the Beatles released “All You Need Is Love”. Is the world ready for a mass kind of global love message again? Chuck Wild: In my opinion, there can never be enough talk about love. I'm in hopes that folks who feel disconnected with what is going on might consider spending some time helping others, whether it be family, friends, associates, or perhaps volunteering. I recall in 1992, during the height of the AIDs/HIV crisis, I was feeling depressed and anxious, and my therapist strongly recommended I begin donating my time... so I began volunteering in various ways like food banks and reading for the blind. It immediately changed my outlook and urged me along the path to healing. I'm a strong advocate of focusing on the positive in our world, and not renting space in my brain to anger and anxiety. That said, I do speak my mind when I disagree with some opinions. One book that helped me a lot over the years is "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns, the handbook for doing cognitive self-therapy through what's called "three column work". It's a form of journaling to help us move from extreme negativity to rational thinking. I talk about that book and other life tools on this page in my website: mwe3: Los Angeles is the city of love. Is there more love in L.A. than elsewhere? It just seems like love is more prevalent there than elsewhere I have lived. What about that idea? Maybe people are friendlier there than in other parts of the country? In my experience, love can come from many places and in unexpected ways... through acts of kindness, meaningful relationships with family, family of choice and friends, being of service to others, finding peace within ourselves through meditation and prayer, self-introspection and examination, and through meaningful work in our careers... the list is endless if I open myself to expressing and receiving love. With so many options, one need never be deprived of love no matter where they live. mwe3: Tell us about some of the tracks on In The Love. “Gratitude” is a great album opener. There is so much to be grateful for. Can you give a brief synopsis of your approach to Gratitude, both the album track and affirmations you might use or other ways? Chuck Wild: Thanks for the kind words about "Gratitude". As time goes on, I’m increasingly grateful for those who helped me along the way, my family, friends, teachers not only as a child and teenager, but also while I was in the US Navy during Vietnam, and my subsequent years in the music industry. I start every day in gratitude for a few minutes by speaking aloud things and people I'm grateful for, it's a way I center myself in positivity, sort of a spoken "gratitude list". As well, I've always liked the Optimist Creed, and it's posted on my studio wall. I do think affirmations are a useful life tool. Many days I start with affirmations as a reminder of the importance of my thoughts. My grandfather gave me the book "As A Man Thinketh" for my 11th birthday, which my father used to summarize in one sentence: "Son, the seeds of your thoughts create the garden of your experience". I've found that to be true, and when I focus my mind and memory on a specific goal or thing, it somehow encourages me to notice things and possibilities I might have otherwise ignored, and to have the courage to take actions towards what I value in life. mwe3:“Gratitude” and “Soul Whispers”, these first two tracks on the album were also released as singles. Tell us about the video for “Gratitude”. It’s an amazing work of art. Who directed it and how was it put together? Was the video filmed in California? How do you market a single, these days, compared to an album? As for marketing singles, it's quite similar to an album in the digital world. Actually, many artists now simply release a string of singles and eventually fold them into an album. I understand that strategy, though I prefer the idea of a couple of singles, then the album at this point. Promotion is often done through advertising on the digital streaming services and of course YouTube, as well as engaging digital marketing/promotion experts. mwe3: At over eleven minutes, “Sanctuary” is the longest track on In The Love. What can you tell us about creating “Sanctuary”? I think I might have asked you before, but do you have a particular track or tracks on the In The Love album that you feel especially proud of? Or is the answer all of them? Did any of the tracks propose more of a challenge than the others and were they all recorded around the same time? What else can you tell the readers about the way In The Love was recorded and how you worked with Jonathan Marozik on the process? The tracks on this album were actually created over a long period of time, but given the subject matter of the title, I wanted to wait until St. Valentine’s Day 2025 to release the full album. It's hard for me to pick one track I like best; I hope they are all relaxing, sonically smooth, and quiet. I'm very grateful for the help of my assistant and now co-producer Jonathan Marozik. He's actually an electrical engineering student, finishing up his degree, and has a knack for all things “tech”. I deeply appreciate the work Jonathan has done on several albums now, which has helped to smooth and improve the Liquid Mind sound. Jonathan's job is also to keep me awake lol after long hours of mixing! As you might remember, I quit any form of caffeine back in 1988 as part of my healing from anxiety, and Liquid Mind often makes me quite drowsy. Which reminds me: Do not drive or operate machinery while listening to my music! mwe3: The album-closing “Coming Home” is also great. Does it serve as a way to end the album? What does the track symbolize both for you and for the In The Love album?
mwe3: Glen Wexler’s album cover art for In The Love is magnificent. It seems otherworldly. What do you feel is the message behind Glen’s album artwork? What input did you have in the album packaging design? Chuck Wild: I've been very fortunate to know Glen ever since he worked with Missing Persons in the early 1980's. He is truly a genius in my opinion, a good person, and a great artist to work with. At the start of each album or single, we speak on the phone, and I also send Glen emails about my feelings regarding the album concept, and what I might envision. That said, Glen always takes it to another level, and usually sends me several different concepts to test, then we hone in on one or two ideas, after which he creates the final images. For this album, I mentioned that the title was not about romance, but rather about a wider concept of love through spirituality, generosity, connection with light, and with other people in our world. Glen created three beautiful cover images, one for each single and one for the album. While I have final approval (as the label), Glen really has full creative control, and I respect his opinion and talents. mwe3: I think the fires in L.A. were a real wakeup call. Even more scary than a hurricane, I guess for some. Seems like there’s an outpouring of love for the victims. How did it affect you? I know California is a very large state but the way it was portrayed, at least in the media, you felt the whole state was affected. How do you feel the aftermath and resolution will play out this year? Chuck Wild: The Los Angeles fires were and are truly a tragedy, not unlike the hurricane and storms recently on the East and South coasts. Nearly 10,000 homes were lost, and over 350 professional musicians, producers and engineers lost their homes and equipment and instruments. Life changing to say the least. I was not impacted directly as I live south and east of the fire area, though we did have small powdery black ash everywhere until the recent rains. I have family, friends, and associates very close to the areas, and it was very stressful for them but their homes are thankfully OK. There is indeed an outpouring of love and support for those affected. I think the firefighters and other first responders did an amazing job, and that L.A. will rebuild, though it will be different, and it will take many years. In the meantime, I believe we should all do what we can to help.
Chuck Wild: The album titles have always reflected my own path to wellness and staying healthy as time goes on. I hope that folks will understand the intention of the album to help us all live in the concept and the reality of love, and in that regard to perhaps read the PDF digital booklet. As for the future, I do hope to work with Bryan Baker again on some new flute remixes, as the first one was well-received back in 2023, and he's a great artist. As for future albums, time will tell (lol). Thanks for your kind words and your long time support of Liquid Mind, Robert, and for the opportunity to express my thoughts.
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