“Inner Pieces was born out of a desire to help people through music. Helping the listener (and composer) to find peace, but also to help those in need.”
Inner Pieces is a musical project started by Andrew Ford in collaboration with James Duff that aims to bring a little bit of peace and comfort to an otherwise frantic world. The idea was born out of a desire to help people through music and came about whilst Andrew Ford played music for the Surrey University based group, New Buddha Way. It was when attendees began requesting CD’s that the idea of producing this music was born. Whilst recording these CD’s the pair realised that their skills and musical talent could be put to use in improving the world around them, both through the music and by donating all the profits from their sales.
So Andrew Ford and James Duff (now known as Inner Pieces) began to record, produce and sell CD’s of their ambient and instrumental meditation music, donating all proceeds to the charities of their choice. This music, designed to relax the listener and aid with meditation, utilises Tibetan Bells, Native American flutes and ohm chanting, to name but a few techniques. This creates a deeply spiritual sound, calming and soothing the listener almost instantly. Ideal for yoga practitioners, fans of meditation or even just those looking for some peace in this busy world, it is well worth a listen. You can check out a few examples of their music HERE.
The charities that this remarkable musical duo donate to include, but are not limited to: Guildford’s own Chase Hospice, as well as St. Mungo’s and Buddhist Global Relief.
For those to whom these names are unfamiliar, Chase Hospice is a Guildford based charity that strives to provide for children with life limiting conditions and support and aid their families as much as they can. With the aim of offering fun activities and therapies for children and teenagers alike, it is a fantastic cause and you can find out more about the charity and donate HERE. The idea to donate towards Chase came about after Andrew Ford, who had been volunteering at an adult hospice, became aware of the charity and began to consider how these children and teenagers faced impossible difficulties. He began volunteering with Chase and after seeing the incredible work that this charity does, Chase has become a cause close to his heart.
St Mungo’s on the other hand is a London based charity founded in 1969 that aids the homeless and those at risk of homelessness and you can find out more about them HERE. And Buddhist Global Relief is a global charity that works towards eliminating poverty and is noteworthy for the fact that it spends the bare minimum on expenses, choosing instead to funnel all profit into helping those in need. More information on the charity can be found HERE.
The CD’s that Inner Pieces sell average at £5 each, though as it is a charitable project, the band encourage those wishing to buy a CD to pay however much or little as they can afford. The album artwork for their first album – One – was also designed by Surrey University’s own New Buddha Way (check them out HERE) and is currently available on the bands Bandcamp page. Since then, they have also teamed up with lucid dreaming teacher Charlie Morley to help create a hypnogogic guided meditation track called ‘The Tao of Dozing’ for his lucid dreaming CD. And the band’s latest album ‘Guided Meditations’ is a collaboration between Andrew Ford and local Yoga teacher Hayley Chalwin, an album specially designed to help you relax, unwind and de-stress. You can download these albums HERE.
In a frantic and often materialistic society, it is truly heart-warming to see such a creative and selfless effort to reach out and help those in need. Hailing from Guildford and striving to make the world a better place, help Inner Pieces achieve this by donating, or simply by spreading word of their music. The band and their music and videos can also be found on Facebook and their Twitter handle is @innerpieces1. Check them out, have a listen and enjoy the peace brought to you by this wonderful musical project.
Charli Aisha Harris