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Liquid Mind listeners often ask me about my musical influences, either on behalf of themselves, or their kids who might be interested in learning and performing music. The earliest influence for me was singing sacred music in children's choirs starting at age 5. I started playing piano the same year, and by age 10 was begging the church organist to let me play the beautiful 39 rank Kilgen organ in our church. By age 13, I was playing organ for Sunday youth services.

Alain Gauthier, the extraordinarily talented choreographer/co-director of Cavalia, and formerly acrobatic choreographer of Cirque du Soleil, has created a most stunning video to Liquid Mind's "Soft Focus" from Liquid Mind X: Meditation. Chuck Wild (aka Liquid Mind) says “Alain creates spatial environments using pixel choreography, it is truly unlike anything I've seen. My great gratitude to Alain for his beautiful setting to my music.”

On August 13th the new album from Amberfern will be released, AquaEssence: An Ocean of Calm. Clive Brooks (aka Amberfern) sat down with Real Music to discuss the new album, recording, and everything in between.

Real Music: Can you tell about your “Essence” series of albums, and how they’re different from the “Distant Horizons” series?

I met Fidel Castro when I was 14 years old. I was at one of my father's diplomatic functions, and I had the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Castro about music. He knew I played the piano and asked me if I'd been to any of the local African jazz clubs. I was too young to enter the clubs at the time, but to my surprise the dictator wielded his power to get me in. I entered some of Cuba's best jazz clubs by simply using his name, and no one questioned it. I would go on stage and play the piano between sets, and the musicians would improvise with me and encourage me to play.