In this time of turning, we wrote and recorded this song the other night as an opportunity for self reflection; recognizing that it's never easy to begin. 

We justify. We rationalize. We don an aire of perfection. But in truth, we do have moments of fallibility. Thoughts, and actions that are not our best.  

Those things are not who we are.

But if we don’t take a moment to acknowledge and release, then how do we change? How do we grow? How do we become our best selves? Self compassion, self awareness, self reflection. Self forgiveness. Faiths have their practices, higher powers are called upon but it is still up to the individual to do the work. To learn, to move through pain. To understand the moments, so that there is a chance for evolution. Not for shame, fear or regret... but for love, compassion and kindness to lead the way. 

We are grateful for this beautiful video collaboration with Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan. Be sure to check out @wellsprings on Instagram to check out more of her incredible imagery. wellspringsofwisdom.com / TheLevinsMusic.com #forgiveness #selfcare #selfreflection #ashamnu #tashlich #thelevinsmusic #yomkippur #healing #healingmusic #compassion #juliehiltondanan https://youtu.be/r8p3qqJNiFQ

The lyrics and chords for The Levins song, For the Times. (c) 2022

The Levins’ latest, Caravan Of Dawn. The album is a powerful distillation of the duo’s artistic forays, bringing together its varied musical and sonic explorations into a signature aesthetic. Adding to the album’s potency is The Levins’ careful album sequencing, offering the listener a smoothly curated experience, brimming with elegant touches of cello, ambient soundscapes, passages with trumpets, and tasteful electric guitar flourishes.

Taken together, the songs on Caravan Of Dawn orbit around a transformative message s of healing. Album standouts include “Life Comes Pouring, “Sorrow Inside Joy,” and “Brighter Day.” The Levins frequently get pegged with the “happy folkie” tag, but the indie-pop track “Life Comes Pouring” reveals another layer of the duo’s emotional authenticity. “I struggle with my own negativity, and this song acknowledges those sentiments. We aren’t afraid to explore these feelings—they’re universal,” Ira says. The sweetly sage ballad “Sorrow Inside Joy” urges those in mourning to celebrate the lives of those we lose. And happy folk beams shine through purely on “Brighter Day” which showcases pop and jazz hues as The Levins stretch out with trumpets and richer harmonic content.

Caravan Of Dawn is a powerful release in these tumultuous times when it’s easy to be cynical or stoke the fires of anger. Ira shares: “These days people seem so divided and polarized—many people seek safety in bubbles. We want to offer people hope and a place to connect,” Ira shares. Julia concludes: “We hope the album reaches people through its openness and its honesty, and that it helps people to move forward and not feel so alone.”

The Levins’ latest, Caravan Of Dawn. The album is a powerful distillation of the duo’s artistic forays, bringing together its varied musical and sonic explorations into a signature aesthetic. Adding to the album’s potency is The Levins’ careful album sequencing, offering the listener a smoothly curated experience, brimming with elegant touches of cello, ambient soundscapes, passages with trumpets, and tasteful electric guitar flourishes.

Taken together, the songs on Caravan Of Dawn orbit around a transformative message s of healing. Album standouts include “Life Comes Pouring, “Sorrow Inside Joy,” and “Brighter Day.” The Levins frequently get pegged with the “happy folkie” tag, but the indie-pop track “Life Comes Pouring” reveals another layer of the duo’s emotional authenticity. “I struggle with my own negativity, and this song acknowledges those sentiments. We aren’t afraid to explore these feelings—they’re universal,” Ira says. The sweetly sage ballad “Sorrow Inside Joy” urges those in mourning to celebrate the lives of those we lose. And happy folk beams shine through purely on “Brighter Day” which showcases pop and jazz hues as The Levins stretch out with trumpets and richer harmonic content.

Caravan Of Dawn is a powerful release in these tumultuous times when it’s easy to be cynical or stoke the fires of anger. Ira shares: “These days people seem so divided and polarized—many people seek safety in bubbles. We want to offer people hope and a place to connect,” Ira shares. Julia concludes: “We hope the album reaches people through its openness and its honesty, and that it helps people to move forward and not feel so alone.”

The next illustrious video in The Levins Get Sidetracked series. A celebration of the pioneers and pillars of Science Fiction!

A special thanks to The Valley Cottage Library in NY www.TheLevinsMusic.com (c) 2020

Film credits: Earth Vs. Flying Saucers 1956 Star Trek (original series) Star Wars: New Hope 1977 Arrival 2016 Iron Giant 1999 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1954 Planet of the Apes 1968 Back to the Future 1985 Dune 1984 Hand Maid's Tale 2017 Alien 1979 Time Machine 1960 Blade Runner 1982 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1954 My Friend Hafiz (Gregangelo Herrera ) 2018 Man in the High Castle 2015 Dr. Who (William Hartnell) 1963 Dr. Who (Jodie Whittaker) 2017 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 1981 and 2005 Brave New World - Future City Mashup 2017 (https://youtu.be/gq2tQ5HMGfw) 1984 1984 World's End 2013 Fahrenheit 451 1966 Steven Universe 2018 Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977 ET 1982 Hunger Games 2012

We have limited S,M,L, XL, XXL

My Friend Hafiz: Music inspired by the poetry of 14th Century Sufi Mystic, Hafiz of Shiraz. Poetry rendered by Daniel Ladinsky, "The Gift" 12 Songs. Self Produced.

Instrumentation: Guitar, Piano, Harmonies Cello, percussion ( Tabla, Darbuka) Penny Flute

The Levins' World Folk Ensemble Songs inspired by 14th Century Sufi poet Hafiz of Shiraz as rendered by Daniel Ladinsky from the book The Gift.

This has all of The Levins' 5 albums plus, videos, lyrics and extra unreleased bonus tracks!

TRUST is a poignant musical road trip celebrating our common humanity with a lighthearted depth. It connects on a universal level without skating over the complexities of life. The songs of TRUST offer a lush tapestry of hope and joy honoring the unique bond of friendship, a mystical connection to the earth, along with a gentle encouragement to speak your truth, share your love and know that you are needed.

Their highly acclaimed initial release My Friend Hafiz introduced DJs to The Levins’ stirring harmonies and their inspired renditions of the poetry of a Sufi mystic. However TRUST is the full maturation of very personal, well-honed lyrics and musicality, not only with seamless harmonies, but with tightly blended unison vocals, reflecting the couple’s own compatible musical and personal relationship.

The upbeat train-rhythm title track, Trust, kicks off the CD opening with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt while the chorus drives home the idea that figuratively or literally, “You’ve got to move to change the state you are in.” Themes of compassion and forgiveness run throughout the album but the sometimes difficult journey is beautifully explored in songs such as Relief and the Shakespeare-inspired, God’s Spies. We are also offered very personal empowering anthems, such as I Am Here and the Hermann Hesse influenced, Great Constellation.

Recorded at Mark Dann Studios (Woodstock/NYC) TRUST features tremendous guest artists such as Dan Hickey (B-52’s / They Might Be Giants)-drums; Sara Milonovich (RIchard Shindell / Pete Seeger)-violin; Sean Dixon (Zammuto / Barnaby Bright)-percussion; David Moss (Satellite Collective)-cello; Aharon Wheels Bolsta (Fishtank Ensemble)-tabla and Bansuri flute; and Mark Dann (Richie Havens / Tom Paxton / Suzanne Vega)-stand up bass, octave mandolin plus tenor, nylon, 12-string and acoustic guitars.

THE LEVINS’ spark began when Julia and Ira met at an open mic in 2000. They married soon after, blending their musical influences and projects into a world folk ensemble until they left their California comfort zone (2010) to pursue music full-time, together. Since then, The Levins have been offering their harmony-driven acoustic music that bridges genres and communities to rising success. The 2014 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists’ last album was selected by John Platt, WFUV as a Top10 CD of 2013.

Members: Ira Scott Levin, Julia Bordenaro Levin Sounds Like: James Taylor & Carole King, Yann Tiersen, Cat Stevens, Sandy Denny, Eva Cassidy, Stephen Stills Influences: Jethro Tull, Marianne McPartland, CSNY, Steeleye Span, Fleetfoxes

Special Thank You to for Trust: Sid and Sally Levin, Barbara Roehrer, Mark Dann, Nancy and George Doherty, Kari Estrin, Lisa Gray, Elaine Romanelli, Ellen Dreskin, Carolyn Honey, Susan Katz, Sean Dixon, Amy Vochek, Shakespeare, Hermann Hesse, and you!

Trust Funder- Andrew Shaw Trust Fund Executives- Sidney and Sally Levin, Barbara and Gordon Roehrer

Engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Dann at Mark Dann Studios NYC, Woodstock, NY Produced by The Levins

Musicians- Ira Levin- vocals, guitar Julia Bordenaro- Levin- vocals, piano Mark Dann- stand up bass,tenor guitar (5),acoustic guitar (4,7), nylon guitar (6),12 string (10), octive mandolin (7) Dan Hickey- Drums (1,2) Sean Dixon- percussion Sara Milinovich- violin (5, 8) David Moss- cello  (2, 9, 10, 12) Aharon Bolsta- tabla, (9,10) Indian Bansuri flute- (10)

(C) 2015 All rights reserved

TRUST is a poignant musical road trip celebrating our common humanity with a lighthearted depth. It connects on a universal level without skating over the complexities of life. The songs of TRUST offer a lush tapestry of hope and joy honoring the unique bond of friendship, a mystical connection to the earth, along with a gentle encouragement to speak your truth, share your love and know that you are needed.

Their highly acclaimed initial release My Friend Hafiz introduced DJs to The Levins’ stirring harmonies and their inspired renditions of the poetry of a Sufi mystic. However TRUST is the full maturation of very personal, well-honed lyrics and musicality, not only with seamless harmonies, but with tightly blended unison vocals, reflecting the couple’s own compatible musical and personal relationship.

The upbeat train-rhythm title track, Trust, kicks off the CD opening with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt while the chorus drives home the idea that figuratively or literally, “You’ve got to move to change the state you are in.” Themes of compassion and forgiveness run throughout the album but the sometimes difficult journey is beautifully explored in songs such as Relief and the Shakespeare-inspired, God’s Spies. We are also offered very personal empowering anthems, such as I Am Here and the Hermann Hesse influenced, Great Constellation.

Recorded at Mark Dann Studios (Woodstock/NYC) TRUST features tremendous guest artists such as Dan Hickey (B-52’s / They Might Be Giants)-drums; Sara Milonovich (RIchard Shindell / Pete Seeger)-violin; Sean Dixon (Zammuto / Barnaby Bright)-percussion; David Moss (Satellite Collective)-cello; Aharon Wheels Bolsta (Fishtank Ensemble)-tabla and Bansuri flute; and Mark Dann (Richie Havens / Tom Paxton / Suzanne Vega)-stand up bass, octave mandolin plus tenor, nylon, 12-string and acoustic guitars.

THE LEVINS’ spark began when Julia and Ira met at an open mic in 2000. They married soon after, blending their musical influences and projects into a world folk ensemble until they left their California comfort zone (2010) to pursue music full-time, together. Since then, The Levins have been offering their harmony-driven acoustic music that bridges genres and communities to rising success. The 2014 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists’ last album was selected by John Platt, WFUV as a Top10 CD of 2013.

Members: Ira Scott Levin, Julia Bordenaro Levin Sounds Like: James Taylor & Carole King, Yann Tiersen, Cat Stevens, Sandy Denny, Eva Cassidy, Stephen Stills Influences: Jethro Tull, Marianne McPartland, CSNY, Steeleye Span, Fleetfoxes

Special Thank You to for Trust: Sid and Sally Levin, Barbara Roehrer, Mark Dann, Nancy and George Doherty, Kari Estrin, Lisa Gray, Elaine Romanelli, Ellen Dreskin, Carolyn Honey, Susan Katz, Sean Dixon, Amy Vochek, Shakespeare, Hermann Hesse, and you!

Trust Funder- Andrew Shaw Trust Fund Executives- Sidney and Sally Levin, Barbara and Gordon Roehrer

Engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Dann at Mark Dann Studios NYC, Woodstock, NY Produced by The Levins

Musicians- Ira Levin- vocals, guitar Julia Bordenaro- Levin- vocals, piano Mark Dann- stand up bass,tenor guitar (5),acoustic guitar (4,7), nylon guitar (6),12 string (10), octive mandolin (7) Dan Hickey- Drums (1,2) Sean Dixon- percussion Sara Milinovich- violin (5, 8) David Moss- cello  (2, 9, 10, 12) Aharon Bolsta- tabla, (9,10) Indian Bansuri flute- (10)

(C) 2015 All rights reserved

Includes US shipping! "The Mamas and the Papas having coffee with Cole Porter."

The Levins EP- recorded as they left CA and moved to NY. Folk-pop with sweet 1930's overtones.

Barely Contained © 2009 The Levins

My thoughts and my body are not me. I can play them both like a violin. Their melody reminds me of who I am and where I’ve been. 
I once saw a fish in a tall tree, when she saw me she began to grin She said, “Your melody reminds me, there’s water in air” and she started to swim.

Chorus: I’m barely contained, you can’t buy how I feel. I give it away, I’m a bright summer’s day with the Colors of Fall. 
I’m all things at once, and I’m nothing at all.

I used to think power was outside, and that strength was just a muscle show. Strength funnels through from the inside. I can bench press the world by just letting go.

I once saw a rose in an old book, when she saw me she began to grin. She said, “Your melody reminds me of who I am and where I’ve been.”

I’m barely contained, you can’t buy how I feel. I give it away, I’m a bright summer’s day with the Colors of Fall. 
I’m all things at once, and I’m nothing at all.

Breathing is more than a pastime, it’s a fine line And you can’t hold on. Laughing is healing and loving is really a wind chime; It’s a song. Chorus. I’m all things at once and I’m nothing at all. I’m all things at once and I’m nothing. I’m all things at once…

My thoughts and my body are not me. I can play them both like a violin. Their melody reminds me of who I am and where I’ve been.

The Levins- California EP "The Mamas & The Papas having coffee with Cole Porter."

The Levins' version of Irving Berlin's Blue Skies from Barely Contained.

The Levins first album inspired by Jewish mysticism.

Recorded at Studio Betty, El Cerrito, CA with The Levins World Folk Ensemble Mixed by Chris Fletcher

includes U.S. shipping!

The Levins first album inspired by Jewish mysticism.

Recorded at Studio Betty, El Cerrito, CA with The Levins World Folk Ensemble Mixed by Chris Fletcher

Before forming The Levins, Ira was known as Uncle Eye and Julia was Miss Melody. This award-winning children's CD starts off with Ruby, the Rescue Cow- featured on PBS Kids. Parents and adults will enjoy this as much as the kids! From Pollo Elastico, the Rubber Chicken of Freedom, to the Flamingo Tango, the songs are zany, wild, well crafted and memorable. The last song Captain Tree is a beautiful environmental anthem.

Before forming The Levins, Ira was known as Uncle Eye and Julia was Miss Melody. This award-winning children's CD starts off with Ruby, the Rescue Cow- featured on PBS Kids. Parents and adults will enjoy this as much as the kids! From Pollo Elastico, the Rubber Chicken of Freedom, to the Flamingo Tango, the songs are zany, wild, well crafted and memorable. The last song Captain Tree is a beautiful environmental anthem.