David Starfire Releases Benefit Album 'Karuna' for Burmese Refugees

David Starfire, an electronic music producer from Los Angeles, returns with his fifth album Karuna, out for release TODAY, March 1, on Bandcamp, iTunes, Beatport, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music and all digital music stores.

The album is Kickstarter funded, which is a collaboration between Starfire and Burmese musicians. Its unique cover art is created by esteemed digital painter Android Jones.

"Karuna" means "Compassion" in Sanskrit, perfectly describing the album, which was created during his visit to the refugee border zones in Northern Thailand back in 2015. Proceeds of the album will go to the Thai Freedom House in Chiang Mai, which is devoted to educating Burmese refugees through language, arts and academic programs, a press release stated.

The music of Karuna integrates Eastern and Western scales from native and modern instruments. It also incorporates glitched violins, delayed xylophone, gamelan, homemade harps, buffalo horn flutes, and Burmese vocals. The versatility and complexity of Burmese musicianship are reflected in the album.

The track “The One” includes the voice of legendary visionary artist and philosopher Alex Grey, reciting an excerpt from his book Art Psalms, along with the shamanic flute of Joaqopelli.

Harp player and social activist Doo Plout is featured on the track “Tenaku” which is compose by William Close and The Earth Harp Collective. Meanwhile, the song “Y’wa” features the voice of Chi Suwichan, a prominent Karen social activist and harp player who travels the globe promoting the cause of his people through music, LA Weekly reported.

The album also features Burmese stroh violinist Len Pong, vocalist Gonlao, and temple drummers from Wat Pa Pao and Wat Tung Salee in addition to electronic artist/violinist Govinda, violinist HÄANA, hammer dulcimer player Jamie Janover, vocalist Oriel Poole, and more.

Starfire will have an album release party in Toronto on Friday, March 5. He will also be performing at the festival circuit, beginning with Tree Fort Festival and Lightning in a Bottle.

Karuna Tracklisting

01. Qilin (feat. Len Pong)
02. Osi (feat. HÄANA)
03. The One (feat. Alex Grey and Joaqopelli)
04. Khong (feat. Govinda and Jamie Janover)
05. Na Hearn (feat. Gonlao)
06. Tenaku (feat. William Close & Doo Plout)
07. Taphon (feat. Oriel Poole and Len Pong)
08. Y'wa (feat. Chi Suwichan & Len Pong)
09. The One (Instrumental)
10. Na Hearn (Instrumental)