TOPOGRAFÍA SAGRADA

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INSTALLMENT #1 - WICKED GAME
BRYANT POWELL & SAM LUCAS

THE LOCATION: 33.5474° N, 112.0208° W
PIESTEWA PEAK.

Piestewa Peak, at 2,610 feet (796 m), is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains after Camelback Mountain. The mountain was originally called "Vianom Do'ag" by the Tohono O'odham tribe, which meant "Iron Mountain". Today, it is named in honor of Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa, the first known Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. military, and the first female soldier to be killed in the line of duty during the 2003 Iraq War.

As a landform, Piestewa Peak is relatively young, formed roughly 14 million years ago. The beautiful flora features a vast variety of Arizona cacti - the Saguaro in particular - wildflowers in the spring as well as trees like the palo verde, sage shrubs and desert lavender. Piestewa Peak is also home to local animal species like the western diamondback rattlesnake, coyotes, mockingbirds or lizards. The mountain is popular amongst hikers, but it's Phoenix, so never forget to bring lots of water on your adventures!

THE SONG: WICKED GAME - CHRIS ISAAK.

"Wicked Game" is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak, released on his third album, "Heart Shaped World" in 1989. It was part of several movie soundtracks over the years and has been covered by artists from many different genres.Sam Lucas and Bryant Powell released their version in 2023 - taking "Wicked Game" on a journey into the world of electronic dance music. Have a listen here:

THE GEAR:
A RIG FULL OF COLORS AND SOUNDS.

For this video series, Bryant uses his signature live rig to blend the sounds of electronic music with the organic elements of the nature surrounding him. His rig includes the Embodme ERAE Touch, a light up MIDI controller that takes you into a world of color, his shiny Jamstik - another MIDI controller in the shape of a guitar, as well as his trusted Shure SM7B and SM58 microphones for all vocals.Bryant uses a battery to power his rig to ensure that the beautiful landscapes around him never get harmed during the video shoot. Bonus points for the cool drone footage, giving you the bird's eye view and inviting you to see things from a different perspective than you are used to!

INSTALLMENT #02 - YOU LOVE IT
BRYANT POWELL

THE LOCATION: 33.4949° N, 111.9217° W
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA.

Glitz, glamour, americana - and a hint of cowboy... Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona!Nestled between the city of Phoenix to the west, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south, Scottsdale is considered to be part of the Phoenix metropolitan area.What stands out most? Well, not only does Scottsdale have cops in golf carts, an ice rink in the desert and lots of expensive cars, Scottsdale also has a busteling nightlife full of color, luxury resorts under desert mountains and an old town that seems to be taken straight out of an old wild west movie. Scottsdale is unapologetically itself - in every single aspect.

SCOTTSDALE AND THE HORSES.

Scottsdale prides itself on its rich Western history - deeply intertwined with the Americana culture, horses and rodeos.Scottsdale's fasicnation for horses still continues today. The city hosts the "Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show" and it has taken place since 1955. Today, the show attracts thousands of visitors and tourists, to see nearly 2000 purebred Arabian and Half-Arabian horses competing.Scottsdale is also home to the Parada del Sol, the world's largest horse-drawn parade, taking place annually with over 150 entries each year.

SCOTTSDALE AND THE ART.The theme of horses continues throughout many of Scottsdale's public art installations. One of the most famous sculptures was created by Ed Mell, one of Arizona’s premier artists. Jack Knife, pictured above, is a bronze statue standing over eight feet high on its base and is modeled after Scottsdale’s official city seal, a rider astride a bucking horse. It is not a traditional sculpture, but yet it has a very traditional theme.Another one of the old town's most prominent pieces of art is the bronze horse fountain. Artist and gallery owner Bob Parks donated this fountain in 1989 with the intent to attract more visitors to Scottsdale's fifth avenue. The landmark features five Arabian horses rearing from the fountain.Many more pieces of public art can be found in close proximity to Scottsdale's civic center and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Scottsdale is certainly a place where art and culture are celebrated and embraced, especially with all its cultural events, like the popular Scottsdale artwalk happening every Thursday.

THE SONG: YOU LOVE IT - BRYANT POWELL.

Released in March 2024 as Bryant's first solo track, "You Love It" is a song about being true to yourself and the things you enjoy. To prove a point, Bry even tried pickles with peanut butter in a vlog post to announce the release."You Love It" was produced by collaborator and friend Sam Lucas from the UK. Have a listen here:

WANT TO SEE SCOTTSDALE AT NIGHT?

Bryant shot another music video for "You Love It", featuring Scottsdale at night, lots of colorful lights and a guest appearance by his good friends Proper Pet.

INSTALLMENT #03 - YOUR VOICE (TOPOGRAFÍA SAGRADA EDIT)
BRYANT POWELL x EMASOUND

THE LOCATION: 34.86864° N, 111.76153° W
SEDONA, ARIZONA.

WELCOME TO
THE LAND OF RED ROCKS.

Sedona is a picturesque town in Northern Arizona, nestled amid stunning red rock formations. Many of these formations are considered sacred sites, revered by indigenous peoples for centuries. The red rocks are thought to be remnants of ancient geological activity, formed over millions of years, and their vibrant hues, particularly at sunrise and sunset, evoke a sense of awe and reverence.Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant red rock formations, Sedona is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and has long been considered a sacred destination by visitors and locals alike. Welcome to the land of red rocks.

IT'S LIKE MARS ON EARTH.

Driving up from Phoenix to Sedona is a journey through diverse and breathtaking landscapes. As you leave Phoenix, the Sonoran Desert dominates the scenery with its Saguaro cacti, rocky outcrops, and arid terrain under a wide, open sky. As you head north, the landscape gradually transforms, with the desert giving way to the rolling hills and lush greenery of the high desert. The air becomes cooler and crisper as you ascend into higher elevations, and the horizon starts to fill with pine forests.As you approach Sedona, the road begins to follow the winding path of Oak Creek, where towering cliffs and dense forests create a beautiful contrast to the desert landscape left behind. The first glimpse of Sedona's famous red rocks is both awe-inspiring and surreal, as the vibrant hues of the rock formations emerge against the backdrop of the (typically deep blue) sky. As you continue on into Sedona, the landscape opens up to reveal the full splendor of these majestic formations, where nature’s beauty and spiritual energy converge.

AN OASIS IN THE DESERT.Sedona has a deep connection with the Coconino National Forest, which surrounds the city and significantly shapes its landscape and outdoor experiences. This forest is one of the most diverse in the United States, covering a vast range of ecosystems, from high desert red rock formations around Sedona to alpine forests at higher elevations near Flagstaff.Oak Creek winds through the forest right into the heart of Sedona. The creek provides a cool, green oasis in the arid environment, supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life. As you drive into Sedona from the South, you come across "Oak Creek Scenic Overlook". It's where the green of the forest mixes with the red rocks of Snoopy Rock and Munds Mountain Wilderness Area. A stunning backdrop that captures the essence of Sedona perfectly - what better place for a performance than this...

THE SONG: YOUR VOICE
BRYANT POWELL x EMASOUND.

"Your Voice is a really special song, honestly it’s one of my favorites because it talks to those people that are more reserved. Personally I’m kinda loud but I think when quiet people have time to truly communicate, it’s like a light just turns on and the things that they say are so profound. It’s a reminder that the deepest people are not always the loudest and that’s powerful."- Bryant Powell"Your Voice" was originally released by Emasound and Bryant Powell in May 2023. In honor of Topografía Sagrada, Ema has created a very special version of "Your Voice" inspired by the sounds of the desert and the magic of Sedona's red rocks. The goal was to really channel the energy of Sedona, the vibrational energy, the majesty of the place.

"With such a special song combined with such a special place we thought of incorporating a mix of latin rhythm to emphasize and celebrate the dynamic latin culture Sedona shares with the world.", Bryant describes the creative process of creating this new version. "Ema incorporated acoustic guitar to honor the beautiful Sedona landscape in all its organic splendor. The new remix and the location: honestly it couldn't have been a better marriage of art and I’m personally so happy that we got this one so right."If you would like to listen to the original studio version for a different vibe, you can stream it below:

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE ACOUSTIC VERSION?

A few months ago, Emasound sat down and filmed an acoustic version of "Your Voice" in his living room. In this version, he plays the piano for you - accompanied by magical strings played by Hans Medoza. Give it a listen and dive even deeper into the magic of the song!