As the days get darker and shorter, we’re bringing to light our album STELLAR IGNITION across the country’s air waves! Our music is charting for the first time; the album had its debut on the Relix/Jambands.com radio chart at #18, and on the AMA (Americana) chart at #220!

We’re excited to share with you that our music is getting radio plays from New Mexico to Alaska; from Vermont to Colorado; from Oregon to Tennessee! Perhaps you’ve even heard one of our songs being played on your local radio station…

With this surge of air play, we’re sending out this reminder that you can hear our music anytime through your preferred streaming platforms! Take a moment and add us to your list of favorite artists on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and/or YouTube Music so you can be uplifted by the ZMP vibes on demand! Your support in this way also helps us increase our online presence and therefore reach bigger audiences. We truly appreciate it!

Big Gratitude for being part of our musical journey! We’re looking forward to planning a tour to bring our music to more live audiences in 2024; let us know in the comments where you want to come see us play!

Peace & Love

Zen Mountain Poets

From our hearts to yours, our gift to you on Valentine’s Day is our first full length album, Stellar Ignition! Stream and Download today on your preferred streaming platform, or pick up a physical copy at SLOcal record stores and our shows! We love you!

We’re stoked to be featured in SLO Life Magazine! Pick one up today to check out this excellent article!

Wonderful review of our singles in SLO New Times!

Baywood’s very own psychedelic neo prog folk jazz act Zen Mountain Poets recently released two new singles, “Emily’s Song” and “Mysterious,” and they want you to hear them at their ReverbNation page (@zenmountainpoets).

PSYCHEDELIC POETS Baywood’s Zen Mountain Poets recently released two new singles that are charting on ReverbNation.

“Emily’s Song” opens with multi-instrumentalist Robyn Saxer’s French horn solo before moving on to some of her sparkling keyboard work. The vocals are a lush wall of sound chorus: “Life will never be the same/ My world changed when you came/ Ooo Ooo yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah.”

This is straight out of Laurel Canyon circa 1970s, with an undeniable old-school California vibe. This revolving group of musicians features core members Saxer, guitarist Billy Clayton, multi-instrumentalist Anthony Roselli, and conga and bass player Mike Flactiff.

“Mysterious” starts with a mysterious flute solo before a mysterious chorus “woo-woos” itself out of a psychedelic ether as a bluesy guitar weaves in and out of the swirly mélange of keys and percussion. It’s triptastic! Lights out, headphones on, please! Just when you think it’s over, it keeps on spinning into light fantastic weirdness. You’ll know it’s over when you hear laughter followed by, “I’m stoned! I’m ready for a hug.”

“We’ve been on ReverbNation’s chart-topping artists of the Santa Barbara area playlist, and in the top 10 nationally and globally for the last two weeks!” the band explained via email.

The music’s also available on Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube, with other platforms to follow.

“We’ve still been holding online performances during the pandemic and look forward to when we can play live concerts again!” Saxer wrote.

Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, It’s a Beautiful Day, Grateful Dead, Pink Martini, Traffic, Allman Brothers, The Eagles, The Beatles, Fairport Convention, The Who—these are the Zen Mountain Poets’ inspiration. They also cover some classic blues and jazz tunes, songs by Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Donovan, Marshall Tucker Band, and more. Check out their new stuff!

by Glen Starkey

https://www.newtimesslo.com/arts/baywoods-zen-mountain-poets-release-two-new-singles-on-reverbnation-10502255

If you had a conversation with the Earth, which questions would you ask? How might the Earth answer?

“Questions for Gaia” is released today across all platforms as the full moon ripens and Spring is beginning to spring into life here on the Central Coast of California! This powerful rock song is dedicated to this third rock from the sun that we call home, this planet that is incredibly spinning through space while holding and fostering life.

Some backstory:

Robyn first came up with the chord progression idea while playing around on the upright piano at one of our Speak Studio sessions. Some time later, Billy added some ideas for the music while Robyn played on the piano at the old Last Stage West. Thanks to those pianos and collaboration for the inspiration!

The lyrics and melody started coming to Robyn while driving and listening to the music after Long Dance ceremony, reflecting on our human relationship to Earth and the Gaia Hypothesis*, that the Earth and the organisms living here form consciousness and an integrated whole, planetary being. The last verse came through while sitting under a beloved live oak tree.
_{*(The Gaia Hypothesis was formulated by James Lovelock in the 1970s, though perhaps the concept may be ages older.)}

Artwork by Billy Clayton and Timo Beckwith

“Questions for Gaia”
Lyrics by Robyn Saxer
Music by Robyn Saxer and Billy Clayton

Robyn Saxer (Vocals, Keyboard)
Billy Clayton (Rhythm Guitar)
Anthony Roselli (Drums)
Mike Flactiff (Tambourine)
Chad Hoffman (Bass)
Talia Ortega (Flute)
Jeff Steinmann (Lead Guitar)

Recorded at Avalon Digital Recording Studios, San Luis Obispo, California. Engineered by Kip Stork, Brian Aunger and Billy Clayton. Mixed by Billy Clayton, Mastered by Griffin Breshears

Lyrics:
How can I give away in a balanced way to you,
With the many roles we play in the things we do?
How can I receive in a way that honors health,
When we know your giveaway is life itself?

Embedded in your mystery
The roots of our wild story…

Where can I listen to the message of your vibration,
Now that your body is divided into nations?
Do you hear me when I step outside the door?
Can you feel my footsteps through a concrete floor?

Witnessed in your beauty
The fruits of true reality…

Who are the beings calling your gentle breast their home?
Can we survive your fury through the fingertips we’re shown?
What is your opinion, your feeling for who we are?
Does another life-giving planet exist in distant stars?

Opened is the door, you leave
Clues across your pulsating seas…

Thank you for your support and listening to our music!

Love and gratitude,

Zen Mountain Poets

This A side ties with the B side “Times Waves” with the first lyrics,

“…I don’t know if you can hear, Time of love is getting near

Is there really time for us? Plenty of time, get on the bus…”

The chorus is easy to sing along with: “I love you!”

Music and Lyrics by Billy Clayton

Billy Clayton (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar)
Robyn Saxer (Keyboard, Vocals)
Anthony Roselli (Drums, Vocals)
Mike Flactiff (Percussion)
Chad Hoffman (Bass)
Talia Ortega (Flute)
Jeff Steinmann (Lead Guitar)
Gillian Piper (Vocals)
Charlotte Ellis (Cello)

Recorded at Avalon Digital Recording Studios, San Luis Obispo, California.
Engineered by Kip Stork, Brian Aunger and Billy Clayton. Mixed by Billy Clayton, Mastered by Griffin Breshears

Single Cover Art by Timo Beckwith and Billy Clayton

Apologies as the tracks are still being processed through Reverbnation at this time. Once they go live, they will be available for download soon thereafter! In the meantime, you can listen and subscribe/follow on YouTube/Soundcloud (and here on the website of course!):

Thank you for listening!

Robyn for the

Zen Mountain Poets

Music by Billy Clayton, Arranged by Zen Mountain Poets

Billy Clayton (Rhythm Guitar)
Robyn Saxer (French Horn, Keyboard, Vocals)
Anthony Roselli (Drums)
Mike Flactiff (Percussion)
Chad Hoffman (Bass)
Talia Ortega (Flute)
Jeff Steinmann (Lead Guitar)

Recorded at Avalon Digital Recording Studios, San Luis Obispo, California.
Engineered by Kip Stork, Brian Aunger and Billy Clayton. Mixed by Billy Clayton, Mastered by Griffin Breshears

Single Cover Art by Timo Beckwith and Billy Clayton

The interlocking synergistic groove of this instrumental may create rippling sensations like waves, inspiring dance and movement, or contemplation and excitement! Featuring French Horn, Flute, Guitar, and Keyboard solos that interweave throughout the piece.

Apologies as the tracks are still being processed through Reverbnation at this time. Once they go live, they will be available for download soon thereafter! In the meantime, you can listen and subscribe/follow on YouTube/Soundcloud (and here on the website of course!):

Want to see us soon? Talk to us about booking a show or house party! [email protected]

Until next time,

Robyn for the

Zen Mountain Poets

InJoy Free Downloads of “Grow” and “My Love (my story in sight)” today only!

The songs are apropos to inner and outer growth, paralleling the new growth emerging in this season.

After 3 years of cultivating and tending the seeds of these songs, we’re gratified to bring them to you with these splendid recordings!

Then, in two days, we’re releasing two more songs!

These teaser videos by Anthony Roselli bring some flowers as Spring gifts along with the new music…

Stay tuned on Reverbnation for the release of “Game of Mystery” and “Time Waves” on 3/22!

Springing into Spring,

Zen Mountain Poets