Unveiling the Enigma: The Flaherty Brotherhood
Before we dive in, let me make something clear: despite what Ryan says, my lips are sealed! You'll never know from me if the Flaherty Brotherhood uses AI or not. It's up to you to figure it out, because that's the path to enlightenment. Heck, we could make a video game out of this mystery, right Ryan?
Now, let's talk about this week. Picture this: me, in my recording desk-studio-reporter setup, with my loyal weed on one side and a guitar on the other. I kick off my day with "Valley of Sorrow" and "Transfiguration Blues" on Spotify. I have no idea what "resonating" means; I'm just a simple Italian guy focused on pizza and mandolins. But the weed here is as strong as my connection to the divine. Divine isn't a god, a word, or a statue; it's "frequency." usually such a frequency is enhanced by weed.
So, in my quest for the philosopher's stone, I bumped into this band and got trapped in their lyrics and music. I love the way they jump from acoustic medieval folk to blues, desert blues, and shamanic drums. Let me tell you, this band is a time bomb ready to explode in the world. Now, I dropped an email to Ryan, and the guy answered me, and I felt completely tuned into the same wave. Remember frequencies? There is no such thing as coincidence; my frequencies were tuned to the same waves as the Flaherty Brotherhood.
for example in this song the bass-guitar is almost hypnotic, and God knows why it reminds me Pink-Floyd.
But let's keep writing about this incredible experience. Ryan surprised me by inviting me to record in the Dome, known for its unique acoustic and energetic "vibrations," spiritual frequencies, and vast desert sky.
From Ryan
Hello brother Mario, sorry for the late reply. I've been busy traveling. I definitely agree with what you said about the almighty connecting his people together to play music. I think your vision of singing in overtones with blues is an amazing idea. Have you ever heard of the Integratron dome studio- Dome I think we should record there with your overtones and some desert blues, Im envisioning ambient blues with a north african desert sound, I think that mixing with overtone singing is truly revolutionary.
You know, a dream come true. Unfortunately, life has always been "very, very mean to me," LOL. So, I was very suspicious to discover that Ryan's answers were almost perfectly tuned to my expectations. It was too weird to be true.
So here I am, 61 years old, living a shitty yet incredibly lucky-unlucky pseudo-bohemian life. Today in Milan, tomorrow, God only knows. Living day by day and out casting from the world in my quest for this spiritual gift, which is merely wisdom, so bloody difficult to acquire.
Honestly???
I couldn't care less whether their music was created by AI or not. My regret in this case was the possibility that the person behind the email was an AI, because Ryan's answers mirrored my experiences almost too perfectly, but mostly because in my quest, i shared with him my deepest feelings, the ones human beings rarely share.
I dive in to my investigation and i discover the "Punk-Rock" roots of Ryan and his connection with another well known band in the Bellingham, WA musical scene,I discovered that Ryan O'Flaherty is the founder of the Flaherty Brotherhood, which produces their music in a very peculiar way—wandering in the desert. But we will delve into that story later.
Whatsup award
So, I am here in Milan, stressed by my dermatitis, cataracts, and lack of inspiration for my music and projects, and I bump into this blues track, "Transfiguration Blues." Let me tell you, the lyrics are amazing. Just pure essence. I love the part where Ryan sings, "empty bottle by my side, testamento of a lost love." That "testamento" is so unusual for an English-speaking person to use such a specific word in a song. I thought, "This guy probably knows what it means to feel desolation in your heart." I thought he probably knows what it means to lose everything in a second. I reflected on that horrible night in Milan, when I was drunk as a skunk, high on coke, seeking revenge for the loss of my young daughter. I remember that moment when I realized that "pain" is not a punishment but a f***ing lesson to learn.
You know what it means writing these words on my keyboard.
I am reversing the most painful part of me to destroy it, to let it vanish in a cloud of meaningless words.
Now, I'm Italian, writing in English, and after 27 years of wandering in the desert of life, I deeply understand what it means to go into the desert to find yourself.
I was on peyote once, in Lake Como, the most beautiful place on earth.
So, I'm high and I hear a guitar echoing from my back, I'm in a desert all of the sudden, not in my house anymore, i close my eyes and behind me this guy with a red bandana and black mustache is playing blues on a black Fender Bullet. The cable is linked to a small portable Laney amp with distortion that amplifies the middle tone of the guitar. That sound is still stuck in my mind, and when I saw the picture of the Flaherty Brotherhood in the desert with a Telecaster, man, the peyote trip came rushing back—all of it, after all these years. I dive into the song and lose myself. High on hashish, I can't feel time running around me; I only feel the frequencies changing with the slow tick-tocking created by my pulse, attached to a guitar. This combination of emotions flooded my brain the moment I listened to "Ol' Grim reaper Blues"
See, it's not important how this music was created, someone chose it, and now i m trapped in to it :)
Now, let's dive deeper into the creative process behind their music and uncover how they bridge the gap between advanced technology and timeless tradition. Ryan Flaherty's insights will shed light on their innovative approach and the philosophical journey that shapes their sound.
So, the story is, are the Flaherty Brotherhood real, or is their music AI-generated by some labels as a marketing test? Well, besides the fact that I'm personally in touch with Ryan. Funny thing is, in my last email, I sent him my picture and wrote, "Nice to meet you! 😊" in change of their greetings :)
Besides, Ryan has already gifted this article by revealing how they create their music and their belief in crafting their own instruments. They are totally in love with Japanese guitars from the '60s. Scoop: they will tour Japan very soon. Another scoop: they are producing a record with Gregorian chant and desert blues. Hello, please Ryan, as soon as it's available, send me the link.
The Flaherty Brotherhood: Bridging Technology and Tradition
Ryan Flaherty's response to my article revealed even more about the band's unique approach and philosophical journey. The Flaherty Brotherhood made a conscious decision to harness advanced technology and AI in a way that enhances human creativity without replacing it. By combining modern sound manipulation tools with a deep commitment to analog recording techniques, they've managed to create something innovative while preserving the authenticity of their sound. Analog equipment, such as tube amps and custom-built guitars, provides a warmth and imperfection that digital methods simply cannot replicate, making it central to their music.
Their goal is not to reject technology but to use it in a way that complements the heart and soul of music. The human touch is unmistakable in every track they release. This hybrid approach pushes back against the sterile, mechanical sound that has taken over the industry, allowing them to stay true to their craft while exploring new possibilities in music production.
For the Flaherty Brotherhood, delving into African blues is more than just an aesthetic choice—it's a philosophical journey. They see the roots of American blues as deeply connected to the displacement and suffering of African people. By studying these traditions, they aim to reconnect with the very essence of the genre. The meditative, repetitive nature of Malian music, reflecting their own feelings of exile and solitude in the modern world, drew them to it. This cyclical nature of struggle, redemption, and failure runs through both African and American blues traditions.
Their reverence for Malian music has led them to experiment with not just tunings but also instruments less common in Western music. The Brotherhood has incorporated instruments like the kalimba and shekere, blending these ancient sounds with their distorted, electrified guitars. The result is a sound that feels both ancient and modern—deeply rooted in tradition but forward-thinking.
The band believes that building their guitars connects them more deeply to the music they create. Each guitar is crafted with specific intent, from wood selection to electronics, and even the finishing touches. This process is about more than just sound—it's about creating a personal, almost sacred relationship between musician and instrument. In addition to their custom craftsmanship, the Flaherty Brotherhood admires the unique sonic qualities of 1960s Japanese electric guitars, especially brands like Teisco and Guyatone. These guitars, known for their quirky designs and unconventional electronics, produce tones that are raw, gritty, and unpredictable—qualities the Brotherhood seeks to emulate. Their instruments often feature single-coil pickups and vintage-inspired circuitry, creating the warm, slightly distorted sound that defined the psychedelic and blues scenes of the '60s.
The Flaherty Brotherhood has positioned themselves as true visionaries in modern music. They've transcended genre, tradition, and even time, creating a sound that defies definition but speaks to something primal and eternal. As they blend blues music with ancient Malian traditions and advanced studio techniques, their songs evolve with every listen. The Brotherhood's legacy as pioneers is already cemented. They are changing the way we think about blues, sound, and the role of the artist in an ever-shifting world. The Flaherty Brotherhood is not just a band—they are an experience, a philosophy, and, most importantly, a movement.
Ryan also mentioned that in their "Dead Sea Blues" video, his face is intentionally cropped out. This aligns with their inspiration from bands like The Residents, Daft Punk, and Glass Beams, who focus on the music and message rather than individual identities. They don't want to be idols or rockstars; they want the music to remain the focus. Their aim is to record timeless records that will endure. The band plans to do weekly live sessions from the desert and film their Integratron dome sessions.
When I mentioned doing a documentary, Ryan got excited. They're working on a film with a 70s Technicolor-inspired Italian spaghetti western theme called "The Search for the Golden Guitar." It will be a quiet, wisdom-filled movie with minimal dialogue, featuring them playing music in five scenes and incorporating 16mm film that blends in and out of surreal AI animations. It's as psychedelic as it gets. The film will launch their guitar company, "Zephyr Electric," and the guitar in the film will be one of the most wild guitars ever seen, resembling something like a 1960s Vox guitar organ, but much different.
Stay tuned, dear readers, as this thrilling musical adventure unfolds. I look forward to sharing more discoveries with you!
Sources
Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@FlahertyBrotherhood/featured
Website
https://flahertybrotherhood.com/
Bio
https://genius.com/artists/Flaherty-brotherhood
Article and discussions about the band
https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28717068