Tierro Lee : Co-Founder + Producer of ARISE Music Festival | Interview By Bobby L’Heureux

Originally published in the Summer + Fall 2019 issue. 

Tierro Lee has been composing instrumental music for two decades as a member of the band Kan’Nal and producer of Arise Music Festival. 

Denver-based TIERRO Band is accompanied by Tierro’s wife, Bridget Law (founding member of Elephant Revival). The group offers compositions reminiscent of world music styles through Tierro’s use of Arabian and Latin scales paired with transcendent accompaniment. 

We asked Tierro some more questions about ARISE and his process of living and honing in his creativity: 

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION TO START THE ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL? 

I had been wanting to do a large scale music festival on the Front Range for over 10 years before I finally got the chance. I had been looking for the perfect location and after connecting with the fine people at the Sunrise Ranch it all fell into place. All the concerts and events I had promoted in the past had a spiritual motivation behind them and ARISE is no different. Embracing, supporting and elevating creativity of all kinds as a method of improving our selves, our communities and our culture has always been my inspiration. 

Although I am a founder and producer, the ARISE festival community has built this event with their love, passion and creativity. It is the people of Colorado that make ARISE special and they shine so bright it’s breathtaking. 

HAS ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL ALWAYS INCORPORATED MOVEMENT AND YOGA? WHY DO YOU THINK THIS PAIRING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WEEKEND? 

From the very beginning, the event has had a strong yoga presence. I think it is a perfect fit for the event. The community that supports the creative impulse of ARISE is also into healthy lifestyles, or at the very least, is curious about them. It is important to me that the people who come to ARISE who are not into yoga (or healthy lifestyles), get a chance to see just how energizing, healthy and downright sexy it is. 

Having the yoga tent at the most elevated point of the festival site makes it so all participants, yogis or not, are aware that something very special is happening there. Curiosity draws newcomers in and the old-school yogis hold a space that is as sacred as any temple I have visited. The yoga tent area is not only my favorite spot on the festival grounds, but also where I got married, where I first saw the vision of ARISE and where I gather often to contemplate and be with community. It is a special place. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR DAILY PRACTICES TO STAY GROUNDED AND FOCUSED? 

I wake up early and hit the gym almost every day. The morning routine and exercise are key. Healthy food, small amounts of meat and loads of water. Then, after a long day to wind down, I sit in my home studio and produce music for myself or for others. It is a wonderful way to come down and so much more productive than TV or anything like that. 

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL AND TIERRO BAND? 

The TIERRO Band with Bridget Law has just released a new CD! I’m so excited and inspired that I feel like a kid again! I encourage you to take a look/listen. It’s available at www.tierroband.com and anywhere that you stream your music. Our videos are available on our website as well.

ARISE is growing and I expect it will sell out this year. I am committed to maintaining the values that built the event from the start. Embracing, supporting and elevating creativity of all kinds as a method of improving ourselves, our community and our culture.

www.arisefestival.com

Photo courtesy of Tierro.

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