Isaiah Mitchell to Launch Chöd Tour in Europe
Starting with a slot at Desertfest London 2025, Earthless guitarist Isaiah Mitchell (also known for touring with The Black Crowes, Golden Void, that time he taught an entire San Diegan psych scene how to play guitar, and so on) will embark on a tour that’s being called ‘CHÖD’ in honor of the Buddhist ritual it’s intended to convey. Mitchell will be touring with graphics and video courtesy of the likewise-esteemed Arik Roper, and while it’s not the biggest run you’ll ever see Mitchell do — Earthless have a tendency to tour like bastards, and he’s got plenty going on besides — it seems like something special for fans in a few cities in Iberia to get to have the chance to see.
Do I know for sure that anyone in any of these places is going to see this on the site and go to the show and have their life changed for the better by an interpersonal interaction with creative work being made in the moment? Nope. But there’s always the off-chance, and from where I sit it’s just good to keep in mind cool things are happening somewhere on the planet.
I’ve included video from a different Mitchell solo performance below. No idea if it has anything musically to do with what ‘CHÖD’ will be or not, but it seemed relevant nonetheless and one has a habit of putting these things in posts, so whatever. Check it out or don’t but this sounds awesome to me, and if you’re in the NY area, heads up Mitchell will be doing a show April 5. More on that is at this external link.
Here’s this from socials:
I am very excited to announce that my artistic collaboration with @arikroper and @doc_kelley will be travelling to Europe for a handful of dates in Spain and Portugal this coming May!!! This performance is an interpretation of the Tibetan Buddhist Ritual CHÖD, which means roughly “to sever” or “cut through” the attachment to our ego and clingings to reality and embrace impermenance by facing our fears. I will be performing music arranged specifically for this practice and the art and animation of Arik Roper will be accompanying the music as to take you on an immersive cerebral journey to the depths of our self in hopes of transcending all that is unreal and awaken to our true nature. A huge thank you to @ @thunderricky at @swampbooking for setting these shows up for us, to @cbruno1983 for the use of his amazing photographs and to my wonderful wife @hathamartahatha for making this awesome poster. See you all at the shows🙏🙏🙏🙏 @psychedelic_sangha @dharma_art_productions
https://www.facebook.com/earthlessrips
www.instagram.com/earthlessrips
https://earthless.bandcamp.com/
The NYC event says:
“This event is sound bath style. That means you can sprawl out on the floor. Mats and cushions will not be available. We encourage you to bring your own mat, pillow, and blanket.”
I’m getting the feeling this is not a headbanging event.
I concur, but it sounds incredible just the same.