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Talks with Ceiba Records

 

Pete Ziegelmeier
 

 

The name Ceiba comes from the Mayan Culture. The background image on our webpages shows the relief of the tombstone of Pacal Votan (the ancient Mayan timekeeper ) in Palenque. A Ceibatree is depicted representing the tree of life- the roots are the underworld, the trunk represents life and present and the branches the universe and timelessness.

Ceiba Records was founded in 1996 by Peter, Adam Ohana and Jonas Judd. Around the same time Jonas and Adam also founded Hunab Ku Distribution that specialized in importing psychedelic trance releases to the U.S.Now Jonas other collaboraters are moving Hunab Ku into the realms of digital distribution.

Ceiba started out in the notorious 'Space Station Russ' - a crazy and creative warehouse collective in the South of Market Area in San Francisco. Now three years later Ceiba head- and heartquarters have moved out of the city out to Sonoma County, an hour north of SF to the beautiful Russian River area to find more peace and inspiration for work and art in the serene counrtyside with closeby Redwood groves and rugged beaches.

Next to the studio work Peter gives rare live performances at smaller more intimate events of the local trance scene in California as well as at some of San Francisco´s most progressive cultural events (Burning Man, Digital Be-In, Gay Pride Parade) Each summer Kode IV gives guest performances in Europe and other countries around the world..

Ceiba Records is managed and owned by Peter Ziegelmeier- all visual, graphic and web work for Ceiba Records is created by Tina Zimmermann. Ceiba Records was the first independent psy-trance label in the U.S. and still is the only American label devoted to true techno-psychedelic art- and lifeforms.

Ceiba's mission is to create and offer sonic-visual manifestations of that evolving Techno-Organic Spirit that is the juice of life for a growing global community of dancers,trancers,artists, aware and open-minded people.

We have found our source of healing in music, art and nature and have found our ritual in celebrating the moment and magic of life in the sacred trance-dance gatherings. we are artists devoted to manifesting in sound and sight the universal creative spirit and to pass on our creations to a global audience through immersive use of the new undiscriminating digital medium.

By Now Ceiba Records has released its fifth compilation, all of them include music by the home team Kode IV (Peter Ziegelmeier) , Ceiba (Peter and Adam) The Nommos (Goa Gil, Ariane, Peter) and UV13 (Jeffree Digregorio) they also feature other American and international artists.

Tina Zimmermann is a visual artist, working mainly in digital media,video and sculpture. She currently pursues a Master of Art Program at San Francisco State University. Creating the ongoing visual identity of Ceiba records is a great creative outlet, bridging the realms of freely inspired artwork and its commercial application in webdesign, cd-cover art and music video.

 

 

Miditation

 

Language of Light Vol. 2

 

Live at Burning Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceiba Records:
Ambient Visions Talks with....Pete Zieglmeier
©2001-2005 AmbientVisions

AV: Tell me about the original inspiration for going out and forming Ceiba. Was it a spur of the moment kind of decision or did you ponder long and hard before taking the leap?

PZ: It was a very spontaneous decision to form Ceiba records, because at that time there was no label in the U.S involved with psy/trance music and we felt the need to create an outlet for this music, beside we had a lot of tracks and that seemed the easiest way to get the music out.

AV: You mention the Mayan origins of the name Ceiba on your webpage, what significance did this have for you?

PZ: When we started Ceiba records we wanted a different identity than the other psy/trance labels who at that time mostly used Indian names or icons like Buddha's and shiva's etc.. Besides we found a lot of inspiration in the Mayan culture, myth and artwork.

AV: For those who might be considering doing the very same thing you did, how hard was it to get Ceiba Records up and running?

PZ: The beginning of Ceiba records was very easy and innocent. We just had fun doing it. But after some time the *real world* reared it's ugly head and dealing with the business side of it all is very time consuming and sometimes frustrating. So if someone wants to start a label he or she needs a lot of passion for it. Otherwise it will be hard to overcome the difficulties of running a label.

AV: Why was it that you chose the style of music that you did to release on Ceiba? What kind of personal history with this music did/do you have?

 

PZ: I was always intrigued by the origin of music, where did it come from?, how did it develop? etc. When technology evolved to the point that you could combine/mix any kind of music (with the help of samplers and sequencers) from the past to the present, I found it very exciting to emulate the tribal musical heritage with the sounds of today. Beside I believe that the trance dance in its pure original form and intent has healing powers for the mind and body,

AV: Tell me about the other folks that were involved with founding the label and those who help you run it on a day to day basis.

PZ: At the beginning it was Adam O'hanna , Jonas Judd and myself. These days the label is managed by myself and Tina Zimmermann who does all the artwork and web design and who is also a permanent source of inspiration.

AV: Who is it that decides what artists end up on your label and what are some of the criteria for those choices?

PZ: I make the final decision what is going to be released, but I always check back with my musicians and dj friends for feedback and comments. I want Ceiba records to have a certain musical identity and philosophy which supports a more psychedelic and spiritual life style as an alternative to the mainstream, commercial oriented labels but without being narrow minded.

AV: From the feedback you have received, what kind of reception has the record buying public given to Ceiba?

PZ: In general we get very positive feedback about our work and it seems when people discover this kind of music and the parties that support it, their lives seem to be enriched with an experience they did not have before.

AV: Are you an international label or do you pretty much stick to the U.S. for your artists and distribution?

PZ: We are definitely an international label on the distribution as well as on the artists side.

AV: Finally, what lies ahead for Ceiba records? What would you like to accomplish over the next several years with your record label?

PZ: We would like to grow on all levels that are involved in a record label, but at the same time keep our vision and continue to be a source of inspiration for our supporters and artists.