Search - Giovanni Mandala :: Hydra

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and gifted storyteller, Giovanni Mandala, has just released his solo CD, Hydra. In this breathtakingly original collection of songs, forging new ground somewhere between Rob Thomas, LifeHouse and the Goo Goo Dolls, we re led through a hero s journey that embraces both the highs and lows of life. We navigate a myriad of emotional transitions through the soul of a muse who invites each of us to confront our own demons while we re called to courage as we triumph through the ages. The beautiful songs and their poignant messages are filled with life, love, and lust. The new work, complete with 10 original rock songs that combine acoustic and electric guitar, is available in stores now. The CD begins with Change, a testament to the power of finding a second chance in life a theme that s close to Mandala s personal story. It s Over recounts love lost, when all the glittering gold turns coldly into lies. This theme continues with Switchblade, an up-tempo, hard-driving rock tune that chronicles the pain of deceit and the turning away from our emotional prisons. With Stay, a power rock ballad, we are touched by a mood that seeks to hold onto love, even though all hope is gone. Hydra is the CD s title track, in which Mandala tells the story of his life and his own coming of age, through temptation and the relentless search for truth amidst the dark side. With Courage, the mood shifts. It opens with beautiful acoustic guitar, lamenting stories of loss in a poetic lyric that is met with a hard driving electric sound in the chorus section that reminds us of the inner resources of strength that can keep us moving forward, even against all odds. Hunger Comes is a swampy blues sound that calls our souls to find the nourishment we all crave. And this leads to Fantasy, which takes us on a hot and passionate journey through fire and grace, probing the depths of sexual fantasy and the nature of earthy delights. In Inside Out, where Bad Company meets the Moody Blues, Mandala brings us back to a darker mood, with heartfelt sadness when our best is not good enough. And this leads us to the final track, One Last Breath, a hard driving acoustic rock tune, that mixes a rap section with a counterpoint of street edginess that invites us to look deep within our soul, feeling alive in the essence of our being. Mandala has been a professional musician for several decades. He has performed in night club venues such as the Roxy, the Pallidium, and the Whiskey. In 2000 he co-wrote and co-produced a CD titled Change in the Weather under the band name, "Chattie Kathy. He has performed with the Von Ryan s Express, Balance, 3-2 Look, and the Trish Perry Band. His new solo CD, Hydra, is the culmination of three years of writing, inspired by the beauty of Sonoma County and a life s worth of complex, challenging, and ultimately transformational experiences.