One of my best, closest and supportive friends in the Buffalo music scene has changed my life for the better. He has done a lot of media work for my band Morgue Terror and recently an impromptu interview for my deathfest Buffalo Gorefest. Now, he’s changing other people’s lives through the use of his Harmonium and the Kirtan. A once wild metalhead who used media to push bands and create content has found his calling. He is using his positivity to try to relieve the stress and anxiety of senior citizens. Check out this long interview below. You may need to take a break or two.
TMR: Explain your path into working with the harmonium. What in kirtan specifically interested you and why?
Jonathan: Hey Dave,
Thank you for taking the time to write up these questions regarding my recent creative and spiritual venture. I consider you a great friend and collaborator, and I respect you in the highest regard for what you do within the metal scene. You’ve always been a stand-up dude—someone with a deep passion for quality that I really admire.
My path to the harmonium felt like evolution—a destined next step. For two or three years prior, I had been searching for the thing that would push me out of my comfort zone. Singing in front of people was a terrifying thought, but I’ve grown to love crushing that fear.
I sometimes envy creative people who stick to one lane, because I’ve never fit that category. Through some deep introspection, I realized I’m a creative generalist and multipotentialite. This means I excel at connecting ideas across different fields rather than sticking to a single path; instead of being a specialist, I use a wide range of skills to solve problems with a big-picture perspective.
Throughout my life, I’ve made it a priority to invest in whatever creative tools pique my interest. The harmonium was something I bought while I was quite desperate for something to “click.” The first time I participated in a kirtan, I felt a deep joy—a feeling very similar to what I find in the extreme metal scene. Kirtan has a niche, tight-knit community of seekers that is incredibly supportive. I saw the overlap immediately, and it made a massive impact on me.
TMR: When was your first interaction with a harmonium? How did you get drawn into it?
Jonathan: My first interaction was unique. For a few years, I’d been offering photography and videography services to a yoga studio called “Shakti Yoga” on Grant Street in Buffalo. A few days after being mesmerized by a kirtan event, I found myself waiting at the studio for about 45 minutes for a shoot. It felt as if that time was set aside for a reason; I felt a natural gravitation toward the harmonium in the room.It was Michelle Gigante’s (the studio owner), and I remember playing it for only ten minutes before a great sense of calm washed over me—it was as if I’d been led to it.
That night, I went on eBay and bought my own. I tend to follow where the world leads, and this was an instance where I simply surrendered to the pull. The same thing happened when I first picked up a camera. They are just different tools for the same goal: bringing people together, whether through film or through vibration.
TMR: You have recorded with Doug White at Watchmen Studios before with your old band Vertigo Freeway. You’ve worked with previous bands there. What was different this time around recording your debut release, Practice Random Acts of Kindness? It’s obviously not metal, but there are stark differences.
Jonathan: The most significant difference between Practice Random Acts of Kindness and my work with Vertigo Freeway is its purpose within the community. Years ago, my musical energy was rooted in aggression and pushing boundaries within myself. Today, I’m taking those same DIY roots and that sense of camaraderie and applying them to the harmonium and my voice. At its core, I sing mantras for universal peace to help combat the “loneliness epidemic” through an ancient practice that remains relatively unknown to most people.
My vision this time was also fundamentally different. Instead of spending months polishing an album, I wanted to “bang out” an EP that embraced the flaws and inconsistencies a perfected record often hides. I’m incredibly proud of that shift—letting go of the attachment to perfection. I just wanted to go in, record the moment, and move on.
TMR: You have already developed video and media content related to your journey in helping people find peace and reduce anxiety and stress. Who have you collaborated with for these, and why did you decide on a digital media format to share this message?
Jonathan: At my core, I’ve been a storyteller for years—usually for other people. Whether through documentaries, photography, or music videos, I’ve always tried to stay keyed into subtle moments and capture them. It’s only recently that I’ve started applying that same focus to my own journey.
I’ve developed a surplus of content simply by bringing my camera wherever I go and asking people nicely to snap a few photos or videos. I’m leaning into my own tools and technical skills to get my message across. While I’ve had friends help along the way—like Victor Siniard, who joined me in the studio during recording—I’ve done the majority of it myself. Often, it’s as simple as teaching an activity director or staff member how to use my camera to capture a few moments.
I’m pushing myself to create in these digital formats because I’ve spent years doing it for everyone else; it felt like the right time to use those skills to share my own mission.
TMR: You’ve done a lot of work in the metal scene between photography and videography. Explain your history with the genre locally and on a national level.
Jonathan: Over the past five to seven years, I’ve been deeply ingrained in the metal scene, to the point where it truly became my identity. My work spanned both the local and national levels, from curating the annual “Doused in Death” music festival to hosting a podcast that ran close to 150 episodes. Through that platform and my two documentaries, including Between Exultation and Aggression, I had the privilege of picking the brains of everyone from genre innovators like Necrobutcher (Mayhem) and Gaahl (Gorgoroth) to national powerhouses like Cattle Decapitation, Crowbar, and Eyehategod.
My transition from strictly concert photography to filmmaking allowed me to document the evolution and DIY culture of extreme music through a professional lens. Whether I was filming music videos, producing a zine, or traveling to capture the “initial spark” that hooks fans on this music, my goal was always to provide a well-rounded perspective on a lifestyle that serves as a healthy form of expression. While my professional focus has evolved, I still stay connected to those roots by attending Maryland Deathfest each year. I’m content with the massive body of work I’ve contributed to the scene and don’t see myself doing anything else.
TMR: When did you decide to shift your focus from extreme metal toward sound wellness?
Jonathan: I decided to shift my focus from extreme music toward sound wellness when I felt I had truly hit a creative wall. For about two or three years, I had been yearning for something new to sink my teeth into. During that time, I watched my grandfather being mistreated and becoming spiritually drained in an assisted living facility that lacked cognitive stimulation and uplifting activities. Hearing that he was locking himself in his room and sleeping all day gutted me; it made a profound impact on my perspective.
I’ve always felt a gravitational pull toward being of service to others, but I lacked the tools and the courage until recently. I began to envision how this ancient practice could solve a real-world problem—specifically the loneliness epidemic—by bringing people together through communal vibration. Despite that vision, I was initially terrified of singing in front of people.
Ultimately, the roots of metal—the desire to push boundaries—remained deep within me. I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone for the benefit of society was necessary, both for my own growth and for the well-being of others.
TMR: Do you plan on making a career out of kirtan and sound facilitation using your harmonium?
Jonathan: With anything in life, there is rarely a definitive answer. However, I have been very intentional with my time and have taken this path seriously because I can see the tangible social and cognitive benefits. Launching my website was a significant milestone; it allowed me to present my mission professionally and archive a creative portfolio that was previously scattered. It is rewarding to finally have a single space to showcase my collaborations and the various projects I’ve been involved in over the years.
Currently, I am focusing on a few key avenues: leading kirtan circles at assisted living facilities, funerals, and yoga studios. Complementing this, I have earned my certification as an end-of-life doula, which qualifies me to support seniors as they transition to the next stage of life. I have facilitated this process once before, and it remains one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
In addition to my wellness work, I am leaning into freelance videography and photography this year. I finally feel confident enough in my skills to offer them to the world as a way to sustain my lifestyle. Ultimately, my perspective is shaped by minimalism—I already have everything I want in life. Continuing on this path is what brings me true happiness, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
TMR: Why have you been working with senior citizens specifically to start? Are there any plans to work with other generations, or are you primarily focused on older human beings?
Jonathan: My entry into facilitating kirtan stemmed from singing with my grandfather while he was bed-ridden. I could see a slow, positive shift in his mental health, which deeply moved me—especially because he was the person who once told me I needed to ‘grow up and give up music’ to find a stable factory job. There was a profound irony in the fact that the very thing he told me to set aside was exactly what was helping him heal.
I realized then that if this could help my grandfather, it could surely help society at large. Through persistence and overcoming a series of challenges, I was able to succeed at two things: facilitating and singing in front of people—a deep-seated fear of mine—and organizing a program centered on the message of inner peace that is palatable and beneficial to everyone. In that process, I found my mission as an advocate for my community and a fighter against the loneliness epidemic.
As for reaching other generations, that is actually beginning this week. I have a series of yoga studio events throughout Buffalo where I’ll be bringing these same vibrations to a broader audience. It’s going to be an exciting experiment, and I feel confident it will go over well because I’ve already navigated the most difficult part of the journey.
TMR: Who was your favorite interview in regards to your documentary filmmaking? Explain that journey to the people who don’t know.
Jonathan:
When it comes to documentary filmmaking, I have a wealth of memories and plenty of laughs to look back on. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be my time with Mike IX Williams of Eyehategod and Barney Greenway of Napalm Death. Mike was an absolute pleasure to hang out with—incredibly down-to-earth and laid-back for someone in such a legendary band.
There is actually a funny story behind those interviews. They were on tour together, and I had initially been denied the opportunity to speak with Barney. It was ironic because, shortly after the refusal, Barney walked right past Mike and me on his way back from grabbing lunch. I simply told him I’d love to chat about extreme music, and he agreed immediately without asking many questions.
That moment proved to me that even if you’re told ‘no,’ you should keep trying. He ended up giving me one of the best interviews for the documentary. Both of them were so genuine that it inspired me to keep pushing forward with my work. That’s the thing about the metal scene: at the end of the day, we’re all just nerds who love to talk about the music we’re passionate about.
TMR: How can people reach you if they want to listen to your release, view your media, or contact you for kirtan and other wellness services?
Jonathan:
Thank you once again for taking the time to interview me. To the readers: if you’ve made it this far, please know that I appreciate the hell out of you. For all my future projects and updates, you can check out my new website:
The album is also available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and iTunes:
Courtesy of technicalmusicreview.com.
