Johanna Beekman and Ben Leinbach, two acclaimed artists with a passion for profound expression, come together to co-create the enchanting album “Yoga Soundtracks Volume 2,” released on July 14th, 2023.
Johanna’s soul-stirring compositions and radiant voice have earned international recognition and numerous music award nominations. Beyond the stage, she weaves her music into transformative Lullaby Yoga classes and Free Your Soul’s Voice Playshops, and produces yoga and conscious music festivals to celebrate our shared humanity. Ben Leinbach, a masterful producer and composer, embraces the diverse facets of the human experience through his remarkable music, having collaborated with renowned artists and performed with various bands. Together, they embark on an alchemical journey, offering a harmonious tapestry of melodies for yogis and music enthusiasts alike.
What is your creative process like?
Ben: My creative process is more akin to a manual labor job. I don’t wait for inspirational downloads from the universe. It’s more like I get my pick axe, head into the mine, and start digging for gems. I go into the recording studio, fire up the computer, and start working. Ideas beget ideas, so I just start digging for ideas.
Johanna: The creative process is like a flow that moves through when the circumstances are set. Sometimes it starts with a melody, sometimes it starts with words. It always comes from the heart, and vocals begin to emerge to layer and repeat to create a hook supported with sonic and harmonic vocal ideas.
When I’m working with Ben, the studio lights up with the collaborative, creative spark, which is really fun for me. Our strengths uplift each other. He focuses on production and instrumentation, and I focus on lyrics and vocals.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
Ben: The internet has caused a significant reduction in how much a listener pays to listen to a song, but has broadened a musician’s potential fan base to 4+ billion internet users. The internet has also made it possible to collaborate with musicians from all around without leaving your living room.
Johanna: The Internet is a tool that has both significantly increased our ability to reach more people, worldwide, and simultaneously reduce the amount of financial return we can benefit from by recording.
I created an international music video during the pandemic, called Mantra Soul and got health and healing, including Krishna Das 24 Bhakti artists from around the globe. It was my first production project, and it was accompanied by a music video that all of the artists recorded from home. What an incredibly profound opportunity for connection through Music.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
Johanna: I have been singing since I could speak, and writing songs since I was a child. Music has always been a deep part of my family, from music parties in the living room to a festival that my father produced when I was a child. I had the opportunity to sing in front of 100 people hundreds of people pre-puberty and realize that’s what I wanted to do.
There are many inspirations along the path. In the pop world, as a child, I enjoyed artists ranging from Sarah McLachlan to Michael Jackson. In the mantra, world, my friend, Donna Delory, embodies, effusion of yoga, music, and Pop music that inspires my songwriting.
Ben: Once I heard Led Zeppelin II it was all over for me. I knew music was the path I needed to take.
What kind of recording facilities do you have at home?
Ben: I have a full home studio set up in my garage. It’s stocked with electric and acoustic guitars, basses, keyboards, drums and percussion, some nice microphones, and a computer loaded with sample libraries, soft synths, and recording software.
Johanna: I have a small home studio, including condenser mics, midi keyboard, guitars, a bass, and other instruments that can be used for recording. I do not play them all, but I can run the program logic pro to do a production from home. Ben Leinbach and I work in the same program which has been helpful in working from a far.
How do you advertise your music?
Ben: I’m not so great at the promotional part of being a musician. I do promote new releases on social media, but mostly I try to put the best music possible out into the world and then hope that people spread the word.
Johanna: I have been touring for years at festivals, yoga, studios, churches, and in the general circuit. I love to perform in person, and share the music, and as far as promoting things on the Internet, I am still growing my interest and knowledge in this way. I work with a record label that helps to spread the word about my music that are based in LA, and release, collaborative singles through different distribution services, but I have a lot to learn about doing it all for myself. I use social media as much as I can from the road, and I marvel at how quickly everything changes.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Ben: I can juggle apples and take a bite out of one of the apples while still juggling.
Johanna: I can make my eyeballs shake very quickly back-and-forth. I can also tie a cherry stem into a knot in my mouth.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Ben: I do sing a bit in the shower, but I get more singing in when I walk the dogs. I practice singing Indian ragas.
Johanna: Surprisingly enough I am not much of a shower singer. I get a lot of singing in on the road in the car though.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
Ben: Pesto pasta and a kale salad.
Johanna: Gluten free lasagna, and Greek salad with garlic sourdough bread.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Ben: I’ve pivoted over from violent and gruesome shows like “The Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones” to comedies like “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking”. I sleep better at night now.
Johanna: I love learning about history through upbeat. Current shows like the Apple TV special on Emily Dickinson. Also, the Good Place.
What is your favourite board game?
Ben: Backgammon. There’s just a bit of strategy to consider, and then it’s up to the roll of the dice. Not too taxing on the brain.
Johanna: Monopoly. If only monopoly money were real, I’d be rich 🙂
Yoga Soundtracks Volume 2 by Johanna Beekman & Ben Leinbach is a celebration of life. A soul-stirring release of two kindred spirits, Johanna and Ben, who have joined forces to create a masterpiece that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit. The album serves as a unique offering, designed to captivate both yoga enthusiasts and fans of beautiful music alike.
Featuring some of the foremost vocalists & multi-instrumentalists of modern day yoga soundtracks including, Sheela Bringi, Benjy Wertheimer, Girish, and Hans Christian. Prepare to immerse yourself in a tapestry of enchanting melodies that will transport you to a place of serenity and unity on or off the yoga mat.
You can follow Johanna Beekman here:
Website I Instagram I YouTube I Spotify I Facebook
You can follow Ben Leinbach here:
