Few acts in modern music can claim the sort of all-around presentation that’s Chalice Collective’s calling card. Harmony vocalists Chakaara Bliss and Ayla Realta join creative director, songwriter, and lead vocalist Sedona Swan Soulfire, but this scratches the surface of what Chalice Collective brings to the table. This inspired troupe of creative individuals includes fire dancers, aerialists, embodiment artists, as well as a strong media component.
URL: https://www.sedonasoulfire.com/
This broad-based approach to connecting with audiences isn’t ground-breaking, perhaps, but it’s nonetheless a fresh rebuke to the vacuous pop music of today. Chalice Collective doesn’t rest after entertaining listeners with their musical skills; they want more. “Flame of Truth”, the Collective’s latest single, wants to touch something deep inside of us and spurs us to realize our truest selves.
It’s a lofty ambition. I believe, however, that Chalice Collective meets its goal thanks in no small part to its energy and inspiration. “Flame of Truth” is aflame throughout, swirling, changing things up, and ceaselessly evolving. It’s driven by synths and pre-programmed drums, for the most part, but those electronic elements are vibrant in this setting.
The vocals accomplish anything the instruments cannot. Soulfire’s voice wears many masks while retaining a central identity listeners will trust from the outset. She makes each line of the lyric meaningful and elevates the already fine words several notches higher. Soulfire handles production duties for the Collective’s material, and she applies some effects to her voice, but it’s never enough to dilute her phrasing.
Mixing spoken word with singing doesn’t have any sort of jarring effect for me. Other listeners may struggle, but I believe the blending of such vocal parts with traditional singing, both solo and with harmony vocals, makes for a more flavorful release. Chalice Collective is unpredictable if nothing else. You never quite know where they are going next during “Flame of Truth” but, when they get there, I’m happy to hear it.
It is held together musically by electronic drums along with keyboards and synths of various types. Listeners, however, aren’t under continuous assault during the track. The instruments drop out of the mix at key points in the arrangement, leaving the percussion and vocals isolated, and this varied approach makes for a more interesting track.
Soulfire’s production, as mentioned earlier, gives a raw and crackling quality to the song. When I say raw, I don’t mean unpleasantly so, but instead, it’s visceral and in your face without ever sounding abrasive. The song, likewise, isn’t over-extended. Soulfire and her collaborators have a grip on what their target audience will embrace or, at least, tolerate and never cross that line during “Flame of Truth”.
If you are losing faith in modern music, for whatever reason, Chalice Collective may restore your belief. Sedona Swan Soulfire is a disciplined, highly trained, and gifted performer/composer who, frighteningly enough, has only seemingly scratched the surface of her considerable talents. Her Chalice Collective doesn’t settle for business as usual – instead, they are intent on remaking the lives of any listener and they hope you accept the invitation.
Trace Whittaker
