BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Music helps people heal. In a formal setting, music therapy sessions are often used to support patients through stressful experiences. We see this a lot in hospital environments — just think back to the Hush album releases designed to create a calm environment, the grand piano donated to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and intimate healing sessions that help patients and their families through their toughest moments.
Melbourne classical guitarist Paz Pisarski (Paz Sounds) composes music inspired by nature, combining field recordings and gentle instrumental passages to help her listeners experience a sense of calm.
This September 5, Paz is going a step further with her music-making: she will raise funds for the Royal Melbourne Hospital Music Therapy Department. Through her Acoustic Live Stream Fundraiser, Paz will launch her relaxing EP Ambiental, and donate 100 per cent of her ticket proceeds to this hospital team.
The department provides access to music for patients, visitors, and frontline workers. At this launch event, staff at the Music Therapy Department will discuss the value of their work before Paz presents an acoustic performance to viewers.
Here’s how this meaningful collaboration came about, and how you can participate in this soothing event that exists to make people feel good.
Paz, when and why did you first become interested in music for healing?
Having grown up learning classical Suzuki guitar from a young age, I’ve always been passionate about music. It wasn’t until I attended a yin yoga session in Melbourne that incorporated live electronic music, performed by my good friend Tres Passings [that I became passionate about healing]. The music instantly enhanced my ability to deeply relax, and I felt inspired to create a similar experience involving my own musical abilities.
That’s what really triggered my passion towards exploring the power of sound to calm the mind.
You have a history of creating music and soundscapes for healing, as well as hosting yoga and relaxation events. As a performer, what is the physical response you notice among listeners when you present them with music intended to sooth?
I guess it’s less about the physical response and more about the lasting emotional impact that I’ve experienced relaxation music having on people. Having played music for yoga and meditation sessions, I have had people explain how the sound transported them to a relaxing place, thus allowing them to feel more grounded.
A memorable moment for me was when someone shared that they were able to forget about their shoulder pain and drift off to sleep easily after listening to a soundscape I had composed. It’s stories like this that remind me why I love composing music!
How has your relationship with music changed during COVID-19? Suddenly, live music — something that can help so many of us heal — has been taken away from our communities.
I think this global pause has forced me to think more creatively about how we create and enjoy music together. I’ve increasingly explored alternative ways to share music with people online, whether that’s during online workshops, live stream events, or through meditation apps. It’s been amazing to see what we can do in an online environment.
Prior to this, I would never have thought about organising an intimate live stream concert where my music could be enjoyed by many different people from the comfort of their own homes. How amazing is that?
You are about to release a new EP. Tell us a bit about what Ambiental is about, and your intentions with the music.
I’m very excited to release this EP! The concept of Ambiental has evolved over a few years of writing music while living in both Melbourne and Madrid. This EP is a collection of original instrumental tracks that showcases the music I love to compose — calming acoustic music inspired by nature.
The music combines my love for classical guitar and piano with ambient field recordings that I’ve collected from nature — think ocean waves, gentle thunder storms, and native Australian bird sounds — to create a sound that calms the mind of listeners.
My intention for this music is to showcase the power of music to allow people to disconnect from the busyness of life, and reconnect with what’s going on for them internally.
You’ve decided to launch your EP in a way that celebrates not only your work as an artist, but the frontline workers of COVID-19. Talk us through this collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Hospital Music Therapy Department.
I’ve been a music therapy volunteer for the Royal Melbourne Hospital since last year, and always enjoyed playing music for patients and staff. However, recently we’ve been unable to play music in person at the hospital due to the current restrictions. Instead, we have been sending in videos for people to enjoy. But I felt that I could do more.
When I told the Music Therapy Department team about my EP release and the fundraiser event, they were thrilled by the idea and wanted to be involved!
We’ve made tickets ‘pay as you feel’ to cater to everyone’s differing financial situation, and 100 per cent of sales will be donated to their team to provide better patient care using music for wellbeing and recovery.
I really believe that music can create a positive impact in the world, and I saw this EP release as a great opportunity to contribute to a greater cause.
How do you hope your music will help patients of the Royal Melbourne Hospital?
I hope that anyone listening to my music, patients included, can experience a moment of peace and tranquility amongst what can seem like a very uncertain and isolated time.
Additionally, music therapy can help patients deal with stress, discomfort, and pain, and assist in providing better patient care — all aspects I am very committed to supporting.
We don’t often hear about the way frontline workers may need music therapy to support their own wellbeing, too. What do you hope your music will bring to hospital staff?
I’ll never forget how grateful staff were when we played live music at the hospital. It really uplifts the atmosphere and provides some relief from an often stressful work environment.
I hope my music, and the support of this fundraiser, allows hospital staff to enjoy more music while working in the current climate. It can be a tough environment at times, so sharing music can really change the landscape and offer some much needed relaxation for staff.
How much of this event is designed to support viewers, as well as staff and patients, though COVID-19 in particular?
This event will be a chance to have some reprieve from the effects of isolation and COVID-19, whilst also going toward supporting people having a very tough experience in hospital at this time.
Whilst this event aims to support a good cause, it also aims to create a memorable live stream experience for everyone that tunes in. I hope to educate people on the importance of music therapy during this time, whilst also creating an enjoyable intimate acoustic concert for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.
What message do you and the department wish to leave with your viewers?
We’d love to remind people that despite the current restrictions, there are still ways we can come together to enjoy live music and support a worthy cause!
Paz Sounds’ Acoustic Live Stream Fundraiser takes place from 4pm on September 5. Register on Eventbrite and ‘pay what you feel’ for your ticket, with proceeds donated to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Images supplied.
