Today we’re joined by musician and spiritual artist Aaron Koenig, whose latest single, “Death”, offers a unique and uplifting perspective on one of life’s most profound topics. His new release challenges traditional views of death, portraying it not as an end but as part of a greater journey, inviting listeners to embrace it with positivity.

Your new track, “Death”, turns the concept of death into something funky and empowering. If death were a character at a party, how would you describe their vibe and outfit?

This character would be a mix of Joey Ramone and David Bowie in his ‘Thin White Duke’ period. He would look quite dark and mysterious, so I suppose not many people would dance with him.

You’ve combined a catchy groove with some deep spiritual teachings, like those from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. If you could teach one Buddhist concept using just music, which one would you choose, and what would it sound like?

I would focus on the insight that time is an illusion and that there is no past and no future, just the present moment – and even that is questionable. However, I guess that would sound quite experimental and not very popular, so I would rather not release that as a single.

The “Day of the Dead” video for your single features you with iconic face paint. How did it feel getting into character for this, and did the face paint help you connect with the themes of the song on a deeper level?

Absolutely. It made me feel like I was in a world between death and life, which in Tibetan is called ‘Bardo’. It also reminded me a lot of the Pixar movie ‘Coco’, which I like a lot.

You talk about death as a gateway in the hero’s journey. If your life were an epic adventure, what chapter are you in right now, and what’s the next step on your hero’s path?

I am still at the very beginning of my journey, you could compare it to Neo before waking up from the Matrix. The next step would obviously be taking the red pill. 

With the mix of spirituality and funk in your music, do you have a particular spiritual practice or ritual that helps you get into the creative zone before writing a song?

I like writing songs in airplanes, it somehow makes me feel closer to my “higher self” or however you want to call it. Besides, this way time passes more quickly on long flights. The problem is that I usually don’t have a guitar with me then, so I scribble down some lyrics and make up a tune in my head, but as soon as I get out of the plane I need to find a guitar to finish the song before I forget it.