SPHERES OF LOVE - RELEASES GLOBALLY 11.11.2021
"A CONSCIOUS SACRED ALBUM TO HELP HEAL THE WORLD WITH DIVINE LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM WITHIN – IN 2021 AND BEYOND!"
Paul's Incredible Divine New Offering Supports The Sacred Heart & Eternal Soul During These Auspicious Times - The Shifting of Ages: 2020/2021 and Beyond The Global Pandemic To Bring Focus on Sacred Energy/Frequency/Sound Consciousness: Tuning In To Source/Universe Through The Highest Self Within.
JOIN PAUL LUFTENEGGER & GUESTS
Lisa Lisson: President FedEx Canada & Best Selling Author
Trude Dybendahl: Olympian / World Champion Skier / Author
Lisa Luckett: 9/11 Widow / Breast Cancer Survivor / Author
"VOICES OF CONSCIOUSNESS"
LIVE IN TORONTO, ONTARIO CANADA
Saturday, November 9th, 2019
1pm - 5pm
Paul Is Hosing His First Ever: "Voices of Consciousness"
Event Hosted By Paul Luftenegger
Saturday, November 9th, 2019 From 1pm to 5pm
Are You Ready For A Totally Unique Emotional Positive Loving Kind Experience of Synchronicity?
Here Is an AMAZING EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY: Four EMPOWERED Speakers That The Universe Aligned Who Will Share Their Successes Including The Hard Obstacles Each Faced and Had To Overcome and The Helpful Tools on How To RISE UP and OVERCOME Challenges and Forge Ahead With Success!
If You Are Looking For Some Inspiration and Encouragement on How To Follow Your Dreams and Visions, This Is The Event For You! Or If You Are Looking For A WONDERFUL Experience Where Citizens of The World Unite Together For The Common Good of Humanity – This Is The Event For You!
4 Empowered Successful International Speakers Joining Together In Toronto Ontario Canada To Talk About Healing, Health, and Wellness Through Positivity Sharing Real Life Stories & Events!
An Empowered Olympian, An Empowered President, An Empowered Survivor of Terrorism, and Me, An Empowered Young Man Who Lost My Father to Suicide in 2011 And Made It My Life Goal and Purpose To Make Sure People Know That They Matter and That Dreams and Visions Totally Come True When We Empower Ourselves with One Thing....Self Worth and Love and Kindness From Within!
In Addition To The Powerful Speaking Event on Empowerment, I Will Be Sharing A Very Special Musical Performance of Conscious Music That Has Been Requested By a Division of The United Nations Headquarters 3 Times Where I Have Shared My Conscious Work To Help The World With Self Love and Self Kindness Through Positive, Kind, Supportive Music For The Heart & Soul To Feel and Know Its Worth From Deep Within.
Event Hosted By Paul Luftenegger
Saturday, November 9th, 2019 From 1pm to 5pm
Are You Ready For A Totally Unique Emotional Positive Loving Kind Experience of Synchronicity?
Here Is an AMAZING EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY: Four EMPOWERED Speakers That The Universe Aligned Who Will Share Their Successes Including The Hard Obstacles Each Faced and Had To Overcome and The Helpful Tools on How To RISE UP and OVERCOME Challenges and Forge Ahead With Success!
If You Are Looking For Some Inspiration and Encouragement on How To Follow Your Dreams and Visions, This Is The Event For You! Or If You Are Looking For A WONDERFUL Experience Where Citizens of The World Unite Together For The Common Good of Humanity – This Is The Event For You!
4 Empowered Successful International Speakers Joining Together In Toronto Ontario Canada To Talk About Healing, Health, and Wellness Through Positivity Sharing Real Life Stories & Events!
An Empowered Olympian, An Empowered President, An Empowered Survivor of Terrorism, and Me, An Empowered Young Man Who Lost My Father to Suicide in 2011 And Made It My Life Goal and Purpose To Make Sure People Know That They Matter and That Dreams and Visions Totally Come True When We Empower Ourselves with One Thing....Self Worth and Love and Kindness From Within!
In Addition To The Powerful Speaking Event on Empowerment, I Will Be Sharing A Very Special Musical Performance of Conscious Music That Has Been Requested By a Division of The United Nations Headquarters 3 Times Where I Have Shared My Conscious Work To Help The World With Self Love and Self Kindness Through Positive, Kind, Supportive Music For The Heart & Soul To Feel and Know Its Worth From Deep Within.
Paul Luftenegger – Gladly Accepted an Invitation By Dr. Andrea Pennington MD
To Perform His Conscious Musical Works In The South of France For The Inaugural "GLAE"
A Five Day Consciousness Retreat For Luminary Leaders Helping The World To Unite
September 24th Through September 28th, 2019 – Nice France
Paul Luftenegger Featured On ABC7 News – Washington DC., USA
On Location Press Piece: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Featured Singer & Speaker: "Stand Up For Humanity"
August 10th, 2019
(To Watch: Be Sure To Click "UnMute Botton" Right Hand Corner)
More News Coverage ABC10 & WUSA 9
From Paul Luftenegger's Event
"Stand Up For Humanity" On Location In The Nations Capital Washington DC, USA – August 10th, 2019
Link To Articles:
Click to Link: ABC 10
Click to Link WUSA 9
JOIN PAUL & FRIENDS FOR THIS FREE HUMANITARIAN EVENT
WASHINGTON DC, USA
Saturday, August 10th, 2019
6pm At The Washington DC, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Make Sure To Bring a Flashlight!
GLENN CLOSE'S 'BRING CHANGE 2 MIND'
FEATURING PAUL'S PSA BEAUTIFUL WORLD!
I am so thankful and so incredibly grateful to share that the Multi Emmy Award Winning and 6-Time Academy Nominated Legend Glenn Close who is the founder of an amazing charity/not-for-profit called 'BRING CHANGE 2 MIND'
Mental Health and Wellness Organization will be featuring and sharing my suicide awareness/prevention stigma reducing PSA Song/Video "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" on their website and through their social media streams.
BEAUTIFUL WORLD shares our Family Story with a song I wrote soon after my Father sadly took his own life in 2011. BEAUTIFUL WORLD was inspired by the Iconic Oprah Winfrey and the late great beautiful Dr. Maya Angelou.
I am so thankful to share that 'Bring Change 2 Mind' is now one of many charities and not for profits that use my work to help social change. Here is the link to this amazing Glenn Close Organization:
http://bringchange2mind.org/beautiful-world-by-paul-luftenegger/
FEATURING PAUL'S PSA BEAUTIFUL WORLD!
I am so thankful and so incredibly grateful to share that the Multi Emmy Award Winning and 6-Time Academy Nominated Legend Glenn Close who is the founder of an amazing charity/not-for-profit called 'BRING CHANGE 2 MIND'
Mental Health and Wellness Organization will be featuring and sharing my suicide awareness/prevention stigma reducing PSA Song/Video "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" on their website and through their social media streams.
BEAUTIFUL WORLD shares our Family Story with a song I wrote soon after my Father sadly took his own life in 2011. BEAUTIFUL WORLD was inspired by the Iconic Oprah Winfrey and the late great beautiful Dr. Maya Angelou.
I am so thankful to share that 'Bring Change 2 Mind' is now one of many charities and not for profits that use my work to help social change. Here is the link to this amazing Glenn Close Organization:
http://bringchange2mind.org/beautiful-world-by-paul-luftenegger/
|
Swiss Film Maker Massimilliano Turci (2014)
Interviews Paul Luftenegger In Soho, London England Helping Paul Share His Story Bringing His Album "LOVE EXPANDING LOVE" To Life Inspiring Global Love & Kindness All Around The World! |
Special Video From 2014
Whilst Releasing "LOVE EXPANDING LOVE" Scenes Filmed Around London England, UK With Paul Luftenegger Sharing His Song "Masters of The Keys" From His Album Titled "LOVE EXPANDING LOVE" |
ARROE COLLINS - THE CASEY KASEM OF OUR TIME INTERVIEWS PAUL LIVE FROM LONDON ENGLAND BRINGING HIS NEW LOVE EXPANDING LOVE ALBUM TO LIFE!
240 Million People Tune Into iHeart Radio Monthly!
240 Million People Tune Into iHeart Radio Monthly!
London Songwriter's New Album Building a Love Wave
London Community News
November 21st, 2014
Sean Meyer
Love Expanding Love With the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, singer/songwriter Paul Luftenegger released his latest album — Love Expanding Love — on Nov. 11. London Community News By Sean Meyer
After the success of Paul Luftenegger’s last album — 2013’s Diamond Light — the award-winning musician felt his career was at a crossroads and he wasn’t sure what direction to take next. However, his fans had other ideas.
Luftenegger, who after years of living in the Forest City recently moved across the Atlantic with his husband to take up residence in London, U.K., “we’re working on some projects, some personal stuff,” had considered putting his music career on hiatus for a while. But then a friend introduced him to the idea of running a crowd-sourcing campaign to fund a new album.
It wasn’t something he ever considered, but Luftenegger soon found his fans to be nearly as passionate about his music as he was.
“Everything that the people who supported me, funded this album, it is a game changer for me,” Luftenegger said. “I have never felt that feeling before. It is amazing when people who love what you do, pay for something, there is an energy in that I have never seen before.”
Even if a record company was to pay for an album to be produced, Luftenegger said, there is always the assumption that money has to be paid back, in one form or another. When the funding comes as “a gift from people’s hearts, to create something from the heart,” it speaks to the sharing of positive energy Luftenegger has long talked about in his music.
This past spring, Luftenegger launched his one-month Kickstarter campaign, unsure of how people would respond. Soon, however, the funds started rolling in — $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 — and by July, he was able to enter a studio in Toronto to record what would become his new album, Love Expanding Love.
“I have always said what you put out — fear and love, what you put out to the world — it comes back,” Luftenegger said. “If you put out fear-based things, hate, anger, they come back. If you put out love, joy, prosperity, it does come back to you. I used to loosely believe that, but now I unequivocally believe it.”
Calling the record, “the hardest recording I have ever done,” Luftenegger said the time in the studio was not only “very emotional,” but also it represents the best work he has done.
“To me, it is a call to action. This music is for you to thrive with love. Everything that is created comes from within,” Luftenegger said. “We are all creators and we create those two things, fear and love, everyday. This whole album follows that model.”
Luftenegger acknowledges there aren’t a lot of artists delivering his style of piano-driven, lyric-focused music, particularly in a world where the Top 40 and “corporate music model” is so prevalent.
As a result, Luftenegger said it is important that independent artists like himself are more important than ever.
“The music speaks to something that isn’t being created right now and we need to support these movements around the world,” Luftenegger said. “I get hundreds and hundreds of messages a day, thousands a week. I know this album is going to grow a lot because people are already buying it, sharing it with people. So that wave of love is already happening.”
Love Expanding Love was released on Nov. 11 in more than 120 countries around the world. He aims to encourage global love and kindness through positive conscious music.
The album is dedicated to Oprah Winfrey and OWN Television Network as a way of expressing his gratitude and to say thank you for helping him heal and move on from his father’s 2011 suicide.
Winfrey’s own story of overcoming adversity — together with his own journey — is something Luftenegger said is reflected in the message of Love Expanding Love.
“When you have a trauma in your life, what you expose yourself afterwards sets the dial for your consciousness. I am so glad there was something to support me that was positive,” Luftenegger said “Everyone suffers from adversity, some difficult situation, everyone can overcome it by becoming the captain and master of your soul and fate.”
Love Expanding Love is available on iTunes. For more information, visit www.paulluftenegger.com.
After the success of Paul Luftenegger’s last album — 2013’s Diamond Light — the award-winning musician felt his career was at a crossroads and he wasn’t sure what direction to take next. However, his fans had other ideas.
Luftenegger, who after years of living in the Forest City recently moved across the Atlantic with his husband to take up residence in London, U.K., “we’re working on some projects, some personal stuff,” had considered putting his music career on hiatus for a while. But then a friend introduced him to the idea of running a crowd-sourcing campaign to fund a new album.
It wasn’t something he ever considered, but Luftenegger soon found his fans to be nearly as passionate about his music as he was.
“Everything that the people who supported me, funded this album, it is a game changer for me,” Luftenegger said. “I have never felt that feeling before. It is amazing when people who love what you do, pay for something, there is an energy in that I have never seen before.”
Even if a record company was to pay for an album to be produced, Luftenegger said, there is always the assumption that money has to be paid back, in one form or another. When the funding comes as “a gift from people’s hearts, to create something from the heart,” it speaks to the sharing of positive energy Luftenegger has long talked about in his music.
This past spring, Luftenegger launched his one-month Kickstarter campaign, unsure of how people would respond. Soon, however, the funds started rolling in — $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 — and by July, he was able to enter a studio in Toronto to record what would become his new album, Love Expanding Love.
“I have always said what you put out — fear and love, what you put out to the world — it comes back,” Luftenegger said. “If you put out fear-based things, hate, anger, they come back. If you put out love, joy, prosperity, it does come back to you. I used to loosely believe that, but now I unequivocally believe it.”
Calling the record, “the hardest recording I have ever done,” Luftenegger said the time in the studio was not only “very emotional,” but also it represents the best work he has done.
“To me, it is a call to action. This music is for you to thrive with love. Everything that is created comes from within,” Luftenegger said. “We are all creators and we create those two things, fear and love, everyday. This whole album follows that model.”
Luftenegger acknowledges there aren’t a lot of artists delivering his style of piano-driven, lyric-focused music, particularly in a world where the Top 40 and “corporate music model” is so prevalent.
As a result, Luftenegger said it is important that independent artists like himself are more important than ever.
“The music speaks to something that isn’t being created right now and we need to support these movements around the world,” Luftenegger said. “I get hundreds and hundreds of messages a day, thousands a week. I know this album is going to grow a lot because people are already buying it, sharing it with people. So that wave of love is already happening.”
Love Expanding Love was released on Nov. 11 in more than 120 countries around the world. He aims to encourage global love and kindness through positive conscious music.
The album is dedicated to Oprah Winfrey and OWN Television Network as a way of expressing his gratitude and to say thank you for helping him heal and move on from his father’s 2011 suicide.
Winfrey’s own story of overcoming adversity — together with his own journey — is something Luftenegger said is reflected in the message of Love Expanding Love.
“When you have a trauma in your life, what you expose yourself afterwards sets the dial for your consciousness. I am so glad there was something to support me that was positive,” Luftenegger said “Everyone suffers from adversity, some difficult situation, everyone can overcome it by becoming the captain and master of your soul and fate.”
Love Expanding Love is available on iTunes. For more information, visit www.paulluftenegger.com.
Message Of Love
Scene Magazine - John Sharpe -- November 20th, 2014
MESSAGE OF LOVE -- PAUL LUFTENEGGERʼS MUSIC IS MEANT TO INSPIRE AND PROMOTE GLOBAL LOVE AND KINDNESS FROM WITHIN THE HEART – A former Forest City resident now living in London, England, singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger first gained international attention with his debut release, Diamond Light. Additional international success will surely come his way with the release of his sophomore effort, Love Expanding Love. Released through iTunes, Love Expanding Love will be made available in more than 120 countries worldwide to inspire love and human kindness. “Being an independent, unsigned Musician is incredibly challenging. With limited funds left to create my last body of work I surrendered to my fans and to the Universe and asked for help as I knew there was no other way to get Love Expanding Love created as I simply didn’t have enough money at the time,” said Luftenegger. “I must share that I felt like an absolute washed-up failure with my music and I questioned if I should give it all up. Lost in my fear, a beautiful heart suggested I create a Kickstarter Campaign. They say you must listen as the Universe is always there speaking to you through your life. Thank God I listened to the beautiful heart that suggested Kickstarter as funds started flooding in from all over the world to help me and this can still make me cry.” Love Expanding Love is dedicated to Oprah Winfrey and OWN Television Network as a way of expressing Luftenegger’s gratitude and to say ‘thank you’ for helping him heal and move on from the tragic suicide of his father in 2011.
London Free Press - By James Reaney
New Album: The St. Thomas Native and Former Londoner Now Lives in London, England – Luftenegger's Positive Vibes Win Kudos
November 12th, 2014
Paul Luftenegger has dedicated his new album Love Expanding Love to Oprah Winfrey who helped his healing process after his father took his own life in 2011
(Photo Courtesy of: MORRIS LAMONT, The London Free Press)
Link To The London Free Press Article:
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/11/11/lufteneggers-positive-vibes-win-kudos
Now based in London, England, former Forest City singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger has found new ways to keep expanding the reach of his music of love and healing.
Luftenegger’s album Love Expanding Love was released Tuesday in more than 120 countries. It’s available via iTunes.
“Today has been a dream come true and it was one that I dreamed back when I was 11 years old (at St. Mary Catholic elementary school choir and orchestra program) . . . in London Ontario imagining a life creating music to help our world with love,” Luftenegger said in a Tuesday e-mail. “Fast forwarding to today, being here in London, England, my life is a dream and my new album is receiving incredible feedback from beautiful hearts from around the world.”
Luftenegger’s “positive conscious music” is part of a new wave of uplifting and healing sounds, he said. It has attracted support from fans and figures in Hollywood, politics and royal circles.
“The whole album’s dedicated to Oprah (Winfrey). That’s the big dedication on this album I’ve done to thank her for helping me after my dad passed away by suicide,” the singer, songwriter and pianist said in a phone interview before the album’s release.
Born in St. Thomas, Luftenegger moved to London in Grade 3 with his family. He was part of the St. Mary school’s choir and orchestra program and graduated from Catholic Central secondary school. He excelled as a cellist when he was young.
Luftenegger travelled, moving to places as far away as Australia and Bermuda, working at call centres, orchards, sandwich shops and many other spots.
In 2011, Luftenegger returned to London after receiving news his father had taken his own life. Music became part of his healing process.
Plans call for Love Expanding Love to be available as a CD, like his earlier albumDiamond Light. That release — and its “music to expand global kindness” — placed in the 2013 edition of The Free Press Top 10 of London albums.
“I’m like a one-man band. There’s me, me and me,” Luftenegger, 37, joked beforeLove Expanding Love’s release.
His new album has already reached out to an audience in the millions via syndicated online radio shows. -- James Reaney London Free Press
(Photo Courtesy of: MORRIS LAMONT, The London Free Press)
Link To The London Free Press Article:
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/11/11/lufteneggers-positive-vibes-win-kudos
Now based in London, England, former Forest City singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger has found new ways to keep expanding the reach of his music of love and healing.
Luftenegger’s album Love Expanding Love was released Tuesday in more than 120 countries. It’s available via iTunes.
“Today has been a dream come true and it was one that I dreamed back when I was 11 years old (at St. Mary Catholic elementary school choir and orchestra program) . . . in London Ontario imagining a life creating music to help our world with love,” Luftenegger said in a Tuesday e-mail. “Fast forwarding to today, being here in London, England, my life is a dream and my new album is receiving incredible feedback from beautiful hearts from around the world.”
Luftenegger’s “positive conscious music” is part of a new wave of uplifting and healing sounds, he said. It has attracted support from fans and figures in Hollywood, politics and royal circles.
“The whole album’s dedicated to Oprah (Winfrey). That’s the big dedication on this album I’ve done to thank her for helping me after my dad passed away by suicide,” the singer, songwriter and pianist said in a phone interview before the album’s release.
Born in St. Thomas, Luftenegger moved to London in Grade 3 with his family. He was part of the St. Mary school’s choir and orchestra program and graduated from Catholic Central secondary school. He excelled as a cellist when he was young.
Luftenegger travelled, moving to places as far away as Australia and Bermuda, working at call centres, orchards, sandwich shops and many other spots.
In 2011, Luftenegger returned to London after receiving news his father had taken his own life. Music became part of his healing process.
Plans call for Love Expanding Love to be available as a CD, like his earlier albumDiamond Light. That release — and its “music to expand global kindness” — placed in the 2013 edition of The Free Press Top 10 of London albums.
“I’m like a one-man band. There’s me, me and me,” Luftenegger, 37, joked beforeLove Expanding Love’s release.
His new album has already reached out to an audience in the millions via syndicated online radio shows. -- James Reaney London Free Press
IT'S ONLY LOVE - Scene Magazine (April 24th - May 7th 2014 - Edition 715)
London singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger believes that music can bring people together, change attitudes and influence society in a positive way. So, when he heard that a young student in Sheridan, Arkansas named Taylor Ellis, 17, was not allowed to put his profile in the school yearbook because he mentions that he’s gay, Luftenegger reached out in support. “I was able to talk to him on Facebook and he was quite moved that I dedicated one of my songs, ‘It’s Only Love,’ to him. I think that any time there’s censorship when it comes to the way someone loves it’s just ridiculous. I think kids today are really amazing for having the courage to just be who they are,” said Luftenegger. ‘It’s Only Love’ is just one of the tracks from Luftenegger’s latest CD, Diamond Light. Recently, Luftenegger recorded a new single entitled ‘This Time’
PAUL LUFTENEGGER HAS CALLED OUT TO ELLEN DEGENERES TO HAVE TAYLOR ELLIS ON HER SHOW
which he hopes to release in the near future. “I want to release ‘This Time’ in a special way, so I’m going to come up with something in the next little while. The message of the song is that sometimes you have to do something for yourself. It’s not as piano-based as my other songs, because this time I have guitars and some synthy stuff in it. My plan is to do another album next year, but I want to give Diamond Light time to grow. I have people from all over the place writing to me about my music, so it’s starting to catch on.” Article By: John Sharpe of London Ontario Canada
London singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger believes that music can bring people together, change attitudes and influence society in a positive way. So, when he heard that a young student in Sheridan, Arkansas named Taylor Ellis, 17, was not allowed to put his profile in the school yearbook because he mentions that he’s gay, Luftenegger reached out in support. “I was able to talk to him on Facebook and he was quite moved that I dedicated one of my songs, ‘It’s Only Love,’ to him. I think that any time there’s censorship when it comes to the way someone loves it’s just ridiculous. I think kids today are really amazing for having the courage to just be who they are,” said Luftenegger. ‘It’s Only Love’ is just one of the tracks from Luftenegger’s latest CD, Diamond Light. Recently, Luftenegger recorded a new single entitled ‘This Time’
PAUL LUFTENEGGER HAS CALLED OUT TO ELLEN DEGENERES TO HAVE TAYLOR ELLIS ON HER SHOW
which he hopes to release in the near future. “I want to release ‘This Time’ in a special way, so I’m going to come up with something in the next little while. The message of the song is that sometimes you have to do something for yourself. It’s not as piano-based as my other songs, because this time I have guitars and some synthy stuff in it. My plan is to do another album next year, but I want to give Diamond Light time to grow. I have people from all over the place writing to me about my music, so it’s starting to catch on.” Article By: John Sharpe of London Ontario Canada
Three Year Journey Ends With Turning Point For London Singer
London Community News
January 20th, 2014
By Sean Meyer
On stage at the Wolf Performance Hall on Friday (Jan. 17) London singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger reached the end of one journey while starting to look forward to the next.
For the past three years Luftenegger, 37, has been using his music to not only help him deal with the pain he felt after his father’s suicide, but to bring a sense of healing to people across the globe. His journey culminated in last week’s release of his latest CD, Diamond Light, and his first live concert appearance.
“It feels really surreal actually. I have worked really hard for this and I am excited to finally have that interaction with an audience,” Luftenegger said. “This is music for the heart, from the heart. I have had tons of people write me from all over, the support has been just tremendous.”
That support was reflected in the warm reception from the approximately 100 people who came to hear Luftenegger’s first live performance. The concert featured selections from Diamond Light along with short explanations from the singer about the meaning and background of each song.
The applause he received after each song, along with all those messages of support, are particularly meaningful to Luftenegger who said he remembers feeling “a little bit embarrassed” when his initial music releases passed by with relatively little notice. Drawing on the his own feelings of belief in what he was trying to do, he was able to push past those feelings and achieve a goal he said took “a whole lot of hard work.”
Well, and a good bit of inspiration too.
“I really like the quote Oprah (Winfrey) uses, “Preparation meeting the point of opportunity,” Luftenegger said. “The other one I love is, “In every seed likes the promise of a forest,” that is Deepak Chopra. That has been my mantra throughout this. It is on my dad’s headstone actually.”
The concert at the Wolf Performance Hall represented something of “a precipice,” for Luftenegger’s career and what will come next is somewhat up in the air. Or at the very least, it is up to his fans to shape where his career goes.
“The next album really won’t happen until people ask for it. That is where I am leaving this, opening that path to the future,” Luftenegger said. “In my visions of what’s next, I haven’t been able to see past (the concert). It’s weird, I have had visions all my life, but I really don’t know what happens next. The story is really to be continued by people and I am OK with that.”
Having dedicated the past three years achieving his music goals, he's now turning the focus more on his personal life.
Luftenegger said he and his husband, Cori, have discussed moving to England as one possibility, but in the meantime, he is thrilled to have started his music career here in the Forest City.
For the past three years Luftenegger, 37, has been using his music to not only help him deal with the pain he felt after his father’s suicide, but to bring a sense of healing to people across the globe. His journey culminated in last week’s release of his latest CD, Diamond Light, and his first live concert appearance.
“It feels really surreal actually. I have worked really hard for this and I am excited to finally have that interaction with an audience,” Luftenegger said. “This is music for the heart, from the heart. I have had tons of people write me from all over, the support has been just tremendous.”
That support was reflected in the warm reception from the approximately 100 people who came to hear Luftenegger’s first live performance. The concert featured selections from Diamond Light along with short explanations from the singer about the meaning and background of each song.
The applause he received after each song, along with all those messages of support, are particularly meaningful to Luftenegger who said he remembers feeling “a little bit embarrassed” when his initial music releases passed by with relatively little notice. Drawing on the his own feelings of belief in what he was trying to do, he was able to push past those feelings and achieve a goal he said took “a whole lot of hard work.”
Well, and a good bit of inspiration too.
“I really like the quote Oprah (Winfrey) uses, “Preparation meeting the point of opportunity,” Luftenegger said. “The other one I love is, “In every seed likes the promise of a forest,” that is Deepak Chopra. That has been my mantra throughout this. It is on my dad’s headstone actually.”
The concert at the Wolf Performance Hall represented something of “a precipice,” for Luftenegger’s career and what will come next is somewhat up in the air. Or at the very least, it is up to his fans to shape where his career goes.
“The next album really won’t happen until people ask for it. That is where I am leaving this, opening that path to the future,” Luftenegger said. “In my visions of what’s next, I haven’t been able to see past (the concert). It’s weird, I have had visions all my life, but I really don’t know what happens next. The story is really to be continued by people and I am OK with that.”
Having dedicated the past three years achieving his music goals, he's now turning the focus more on his personal life.
Luftenegger said he and his husband, Cori, have discussed moving to England as one possibility, but in the meantime, he is thrilled to have started his music career here in the Forest City.
Luftenegger opens up on Diamond Light Putting Life Into His Music
By Chris Montanini – QMI Agency
January 13th & January 14th 2014
The Londoner <Link To Article>
St. Thomas Times-Journal <Link To Article>
Music has always been part of Paul Luftenegger’s life. Now, the 37-year-old independent musician is putting more of his life into his music. Clearly soaked in personal experience and injected with his own positive convictions about life, love and the state of the globe, Luftenegger’s first professional recording Diamond Light releases Jan. 14. Recorded in Toronto and produced by Canadian Arun Chaturvedi (Jim Brickman, Luke McMaster), the album has been a long time coming for Luftenegger, who will perform a lion’s share of the material plus a brand new song during his first solo performance in London Jan. 17 at Wolf Performance Hall. The opportunity to perform on stage in London is something Luftenegger is describing as a dream come true. “I will never forget doing this,” he said. Born in St. Thomas but raised mostly in London where his family owned and operated Gifford’s, a popular local and area farmer’s market in the eighties, Luftenegger’s interest in music showed at an early age, particularly when he was enrolled in St. Mary School’s Choir and Orchestra Program. But by the time he entered his adult years, Luftenegger was struggling to find his musical voice. “I tried to write music solidly when I was 20 and I just didn’t feel like I had enough in me to write properly,” said Luftenegger. “So I pretty much put in on the backburner, under the metaphorical rock, and (said) I’d come back to it. But in life you get busy and it seemed like I wasn’t sure if it would happen.” Luftenegger ended up travelling, moving to places as far away as Australia and Bermuda, working an eclectic mix of jobs inside call centres, orchards, sandwich shops and many other places. In 2011, though, Luftenegger returned to London after receiving news that his father had taken his own life. “My entire world went upside down,” he said. “There’s nothing that can prepare you for something like that. Of course, art reflecting life started to happen, and I realized that I needed music to heal.” Using music to aid his grieving process, Luftenegger has spent the last three years focusing on Diamond Light. And while the death of his father inspired much of the album, Luftenegger’s inner search for positivity ended up expanding his music’s scope in other ways. It’s Only Love — an anthem for the LGBT community — has garnered over 30,000 YouTube hits since it was posted seven months ago, giving life to a song Luftenegger has been tinkering with for years. He has dedicated it to a young Chatham boy who was assaulted on his way home from school last May because of his sexual orientation in an alleged hate crime. Luftenegger describes the song as “a lifetime lived.” “I realized it’s my responsibility being gay to actually have a voice,” he said. “It set the tone of my album because I realized I could dedicate songs to people and it really impacts hearts … and it (reflects the theme of) my album, just to inspire kindness.” Luftenegger isn’t sure where his music career will go from here, but he knows the type of message he wants to spread with his talent. “In order to help others heal, you have to have healed yourself,” he said. “I’m at that point where it’s time to move on and find out what’s next. I have a whole other album written and I’m prepared to do that at the point where I’m happy with the results of (Diamond Light).”
PAUL LUFTENEGGER'S FIRST NETWORK TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH 'ROGERS TV' PROMOTING GLOBAL KINDNESS!
LINK TO ROGERS TV TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH DAYTIME LONDON!
http://rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=9&gid=124215
TO RUSSIA, WITH (IT'S ONLY) LOVE
By James Reaney - London Free Press - January 16th, 2014
Message for Sochi Games: "This song is dedicated to the World in the name of love and equality for all life. I am dedicating this song to Russia and to the Sochi Winter Olympics. From all of us in Canada."
-- Paul Luftenegger
A London singer-songwriter- activist shares a personal message in the hope that it reaches to the Sochi Winter Olympics in this week's Reaney's Pick video.
It's Only Love is a message about healing, pride and purpose from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. Paul Luftenegger has directed its message to support a Chatham-area gay teen and toward the Sochi Winter Games, where Russian anti-gay legislation has led to protests.
"It's all about growing up basically being gay and how things have changed from when I was a kid to now," he said Monday. "It's the best blessing I've had in my life. Thank God that I'm gay actually."
The longest song Luftenegger has written is heard in a hushed and confessional performance in the video. It's Only Love is also to be heard on Friday when he celebrates the release of his album Diamond Light at the Wolf Performance Hall.
Luftenegger said Tuesday he was impressed by U.S. President Barack Obama's naming of gay athletes to the American delegation as a response to Russia's anti-gay policies. Among those athletes is tennis legend and advocate Billie Jean King who also said Obama's delegation lineup is making a bold statement about gay rights.
In the summer, Luftenegger dedicated It's Only Love to a gay Chatham teenager who was attacked by four teenagers. "His courage and his family's support has been so inspiring for so many people, including myself, and I want to thank them for being so open and willing to share their feelings," he told QMI Agency.
Born in St. Thomas, Luftenegger moved to London in Grade 3 with his family. He was part of the St. Mary Catholic elementary school choir and orchestra program and graduated from Catholic Central secondary school. He excelled as a cellist when he was young.
"I tried to write music solidly when I was 20 and I just didn't feel like I had enough in me to write properly," Luftenegger told QMI Agency. "So I pretty much put in on the back burner, under the metaphorical rock, and (said) I'd come back to it. But in life you get busy and it seemed like I wasn't sure if it would happen."
Luftenegger travelled, moving to places as far away as Australia and Bermuda, working at call centres, orchards, sandwich shops and many other places.
In 2011, Luftenegger returned to London after receiving news his father had taken his own life.
"My entire world went upside down," he told QMI Agency. "There's nothing that can prepare you for something like that. Of course, art reflecting life started to happen, and I realized that I needed music to heal."
Diamond Light has been part of that healing. Luftenegger celebrated its release on Tuesday, when he turned 37, with a photograph from the Reaney's Pick session at The Free Press newsroom.
He had worked on about 20 songs with Toronto producer Arun Chaturvedi with nine chosen for Diamond Light. The other songs are likely to be released later.
IF YOU GO
What: Concert by London singersongwriter Paul Luftenegger.
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: London Public Library's Wolf Performance Hall
Details: $20. Visit www.paulluftenegger.com
or 519-661-4600
It's Only Love is a message about healing, pride and purpose from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. Paul Luftenegger has directed its message to support a Chatham-area gay teen and toward the Sochi Winter Games, where Russian anti-gay legislation has led to protests.
"It's all about growing up basically being gay and how things have changed from when I was a kid to now," he said Monday. "It's the best blessing I've had in my life. Thank God that I'm gay actually."
The longest song Luftenegger has written is heard in a hushed and confessional performance in the video. It's Only Love is also to be heard on Friday when he celebrates the release of his album Diamond Light at the Wolf Performance Hall.
Luftenegger said Tuesday he was impressed by U.S. President Barack Obama's naming of gay athletes to the American delegation as a response to Russia's anti-gay policies. Among those athletes is tennis legend and advocate Billie Jean King who also said Obama's delegation lineup is making a bold statement about gay rights.
In the summer, Luftenegger dedicated It's Only Love to a gay Chatham teenager who was attacked by four teenagers. "His courage and his family's support has been so inspiring for so many people, including myself, and I want to thank them for being so open and willing to share their feelings," he told QMI Agency.
Born in St. Thomas, Luftenegger moved to London in Grade 3 with his family. He was part of the St. Mary Catholic elementary school choir and orchestra program and graduated from Catholic Central secondary school. He excelled as a cellist when he was young.
"I tried to write music solidly when I was 20 and I just didn't feel like I had enough in me to write properly," Luftenegger told QMI Agency. "So I pretty much put in on the back burner, under the metaphorical rock, and (said) I'd come back to it. But in life you get busy and it seemed like I wasn't sure if it would happen."
Luftenegger travelled, moving to places as far away as Australia and Bermuda, working at call centres, orchards, sandwich shops and many other places.
In 2011, Luftenegger returned to London after receiving news his father had taken his own life.
"My entire world went upside down," he told QMI Agency. "There's nothing that can prepare you for something like that. Of course, art reflecting life started to happen, and I realized that I needed music to heal."
Diamond Light has been part of that healing. Luftenegger celebrated its release on Tuesday, when he turned 37, with a photograph from the Reaney's Pick session at The Free Press newsroom.
He had worked on about 20 songs with Toronto producer Arun Chaturvedi with nine chosen for Diamond Light. The other songs are likely to be released later.
IF YOU GO
What: Concert by London singersongwriter Paul Luftenegger.
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: London Public Library's Wolf Performance Hall
Details: $20. Visit www.paulluftenegger.com
or 519-661-4600
THE BEAT MAGAZINE ONLINE
Sharing the love with London singer/songwriter Paul Luftenegger
January 8th, 2014 - By Nicole Laidler
Like the mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes, Paul Luftenegger used his father’s suicide as an opportunity for emotional, spiritual, and professional rebirth. Now an award-winning singer/songwriter, Luftenegger is ready to launch his debut album, Diamond Light, with a solo concert at Wolf Performance Hall, with ambitions of sharing his musical message of love, peace, and healing to audiences worldwide.
It sounds like you are giving up your day job with the release of Diamond Light. What gave you the courage to make the leap?
After my Dad passed away by suicide in March of 2011 I knew I needed to take the necessary time to heal my heart. My life changed in an instant and I knew it was my responsibility to make sure my Mom and I were both okay. I put my old life on hold to move through the space of grief and the loss of my Dad together with her. Music started calling my name and I found myself playing and composing on my childhood piano. Being at home with my Mom allowed us the time to mend our wounds, and music became the centre of my life as I healed my soul. I have no idea where this is leading but I know I have always been a musician and my authentic self bloomed a new part of my heart as a result. The leap has come from understanding that I must listen to my heart and the needs of my soul. As they say, life is not a dress rehearsal!
You became involved in music at a young age, playing piano and being accepted into the St. Mary School Choir & Orchestra Program. How did that specialized program shape your life?
The St Mary Choir and Orchestra Program is a place where magic happens here in London every single day. It is a school that mirrors the arts much like the famous movie Fame. Being able to sing and play an instrument every single day for four years during one's childhood is in fact what changed my life beyond measure. I would not be doing this interview if it were not for every single teacher at St. Mary's that believed in the arts and the importance of creating love from the heart. Teachers change lives every single day and it is the most underappreciated profession. Teachers literally create the future in the minds and hearts of their students. Thank God I had incredible teachers that showed me how to thrive as an adult!
You have been working with the Canadian Mental Health Association since your father’s suicide. What message do you hope to share with others through your music?
My intention is to always inspire Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness and Prosperity from within oneself. I remember reading once that Peace will never be attainable in our world until such time as we are peaceful within ourselves. We must become conscious of the energy we bring to life every single day throughout our lives.
Your song Diamond Light won the Honourable Mention Award at the 2013 USA Songwriting Contest. How do you approach song writing, and what do you think makes a great song?
Writing music is such a personal experience. I write music from my heart with the intention for other hearts listening to come to life with self-worth. My hope is that people feel their own heart's self-worth through my music and lyrics and as result connect through one thing we all have in common - that we are all seeking Love and acceptance. I think a great song tells a story from the heart-space-within. That has always been how I approach music when I write and it is also what attracts me to other music. Don't get me wrong, I love a good drum and base line as well and some funky fun lyrics. Life is also about kicking off your shoes and dancing up a storm sometimes!
You obviously believe that culture can be a tremendous force for good in the world. How do you respond to those who insist that it is just a frill?
Mainstream music has changed from my parents’ generation. The intention of much of the music then was to make peace not war. It was a true reflection of the time, with the Vietnam War monopolizing the headlines, when countless young men were drafted when they turned 18 and sent off to war. A 'frill' in the context of this question underestimates the value/impact of music as a whole. From Beethoven and Mozart to Elvis, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, The Bee Gee's and so on. I really can't imagine a world without music, can you?
If You Go:
What: Diamond Light – Debut concert by Paul Luftenegger
When: January 17 @ 7 pm
Where: Wolf Performance Hall (251 Dundas Street)
Tickets: $20
For more information about Paul Luftenegger and his music, visit www.paulluftenegger.com
It sounds like you are giving up your day job with the release of Diamond Light. What gave you the courage to make the leap?
After my Dad passed away by suicide in March of 2011 I knew I needed to take the necessary time to heal my heart. My life changed in an instant and I knew it was my responsibility to make sure my Mom and I were both okay. I put my old life on hold to move through the space of grief and the loss of my Dad together with her. Music started calling my name and I found myself playing and composing on my childhood piano. Being at home with my Mom allowed us the time to mend our wounds, and music became the centre of my life as I healed my soul. I have no idea where this is leading but I know I have always been a musician and my authentic self bloomed a new part of my heart as a result. The leap has come from understanding that I must listen to my heart and the needs of my soul. As they say, life is not a dress rehearsal!
You became involved in music at a young age, playing piano and being accepted into the St. Mary School Choir & Orchestra Program. How did that specialized program shape your life?
The St Mary Choir and Orchestra Program is a place where magic happens here in London every single day. It is a school that mirrors the arts much like the famous movie Fame. Being able to sing and play an instrument every single day for four years during one's childhood is in fact what changed my life beyond measure. I would not be doing this interview if it were not for every single teacher at St. Mary's that believed in the arts and the importance of creating love from the heart. Teachers change lives every single day and it is the most underappreciated profession. Teachers literally create the future in the minds and hearts of their students. Thank God I had incredible teachers that showed me how to thrive as an adult!
You have been working with the Canadian Mental Health Association since your father’s suicide. What message do you hope to share with others through your music?
My intention is to always inspire Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness and Prosperity from within oneself. I remember reading once that Peace will never be attainable in our world until such time as we are peaceful within ourselves. We must become conscious of the energy we bring to life every single day throughout our lives.
Your song Diamond Light won the Honourable Mention Award at the 2013 USA Songwriting Contest. How do you approach song writing, and what do you think makes a great song?
Writing music is such a personal experience. I write music from my heart with the intention for other hearts listening to come to life with self-worth. My hope is that people feel their own heart's self-worth through my music and lyrics and as result connect through one thing we all have in common - that we are all seeking Love and acceptance. I think a great song tells a story from the heart-space-within. That has always been how I approach music when I write and it is also what attracts me to other music. Don't get me wrong, I love a good drum and base line as well and some funky fun lyrics. Life is also about kicking off your shoes and dancing up a storm sometimes!
You obviously believe that culture can be a tremendous force for good in the world. How do you respond to those who insist that it is just a frill?
Mainstream music has changed from my parents’ generation. The intention of much of the music then was to make peace not war. It was a true reflection of the time, with the Vietnam War monopolizing the headlines, when countless young men were drafted when they turned 18 and sent off to war. A 'frill' in the context of this question underestimates the value/impact of music as a whole. From Beethoven and Mozart to Elvis, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, The Bee Gee's and so on. I really can't imagine a world without music, can you?
If You Go:
What: Diamond Light – Debut concert by Paul Luftenegger
When: January 17 @ 7 pm
Where: Wolf Performance Hall (251 Dundas Street)
Tickets: $20
For more information about Paul Luftenegger and his music, visit www.paulluftenegger.com
LONDON FREE PRESS
December 28th, 2013
By James Reaney <Link To Article>
In another first-class year for London music, it’s time to unveil the honour roll known as The Free Press Top 10 of London albums.
As always, The Free Press Top 10 has several new-to-the-Top 10 artists in a mix of veterans and newer scenesters
Paul Luftenegger Diamond Light - Music to Inspire Global Kindness
Credits: Produced, Recorded & Mixed By: Arun Chaturvedi
Mastered By: HBomb Mastering Recorded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hushed and confessional, singer-songwriter-pianist-activist Paul Luftenegger’s album is a suite of anthems about the better world, pride, purpose and never being a victim.
Strong as diamonds and bright with revelatory light, Luftenegger’s songs are personal and political — whether the back story is gay rights, suicide prevention or simple everyday heroics. Already acclaimed internationally for his good works and music, Luftenegger can also change gears and pop it up as he does on the road trip tune California.
Credits: Produced, Recorded & Mixed By: Arun Chaturvedi
Mastered By: HBomb Mastering Recorded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hushed and confessional, singer-songwriter-pianist-activist Paul Luftenegger’s album is a suite of anthems about the better world, pride, purpose and never being a victim.
Strong as diamonds and bright with revelatory light, Luftenegger’s songs are personal and political — whether the back story is gay rights, suicide prevention or simple everyday heroics. Already acclaimed internationally for his good works and music, Luftenegger can also change gears and pop it up as he does on the road trip tune California.
Talking With Paul Luftenegger
Part I: Suicide, Gay Rights, and The Therapy of Music
No Depression - The Roots Music Authority Since 1995
By Stacey Zering - December 21st, 2013 <Link To Article>
Q: When you were 10, you were already auditioning for St. Mary's Choir in Canada. When did you begin to sing?
A: When we moved to London from St. Thomas I started a new school. With this new school came a new music Teacher named Mrs. Vermue. Mrs. Vermue use to come into our classroom two times a week and bring her autoharp, which is an instrument I have never seen since. She would do singalongs with all of our class and I absolutely loved it. By the time I was in grade 4 she had pulled me aside and told me what a wonderful voice I had and that I should consider changing schools to attend St. Mary's Choir and Orchestra School. At the time, I didn't understand what was happening. Mrs. Vermue sent me home with a pamphlet for my Mom to read. I thought nothing of it. My mom had different plans. I will never forget, my mom pulling me aside a few days later telling me in a stern way (with pamphlet in hand): "Paul, you are going to this new school!" The universe and these two women had plans for me that I didn't know at the time. My mom sent me back with the pamphlet (enrollment form filled out) and instructed me to return it to my teacher. A few weeks later I had to sing privately for Mrs. Vermue. She again told me I had such a beautiful voice and explained to me what a gift I had. I was thankful for her kindness and didn't give it much thought.
The following summer, my mom sat me down and told me I was accepted to attend St. Mary's because of my audition with Mrs. Vermue and that I would start this new school after the summer holidays. I remember being so incredibly sad at the time and not at all open to the idea of changing schools again. I thought my world was over and that my mom was the meanest mom on the planet! I will never forget my first day at St. Mary's. I remember my Mom dropping me off at the front gate and feeling sick to my stomach. I remember running to the bathroom trying to hide my uncontrollable tears erupting beneath my eyes. That first week was incredibly hard for me. I felt like I had no friends. I would often find myself crying in the bathroom stalls. I remember the day everything changed. This beautiful boy became my best friend In gym class, he chose me as his gym partner when I thought I was alone. Having one person accept me made me feel everything was ok and I instantly accepted St. Mary's as my new home. I thrived with some amazingly talented beautiful kids for four years of childhood musical bliss. We took music classes every single day and it was a magical world to grow up in. Every student had to sing everyday and learn how to play a string instrument. For me it was the beautiful cello. Let's just say that my mom, Mrs. Vermue, and the universe knew exactly what I needed when I did not. The blessing in my life was people caring enough about me to know what I needed in order to thrive. It was and still is music!
Q: What attracted you to music?
A: My first memories of being conscious about music was when my Granny Ruth would sing and play her brand new organ. All the colors within me would light up like the organ's selection keys. My granny use to sing and play "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "Yellow Bird" with the beats and blends of the modern sounds of the time; I think her favourite beat was the classinova. Around that same time I was in half-day kindergarden; I had a teacher named Mrs. Soaper. She used to play the piano and sing songs for the whole class like my granny and I just loved watching and listening to her play music that soothed my soul. Music for as long as I can remember made me feel lovely inside of my heart and gave me feelings of love like nothing else has ever been able to.
Q: Who are your artistic influences and in what ways have they impacted you creatively?
A: I find this question challenging to answer as music is a life-long-journey finding the literal soundtrack to your life. I feel like I am the total sum of all of my parts especially with music. I would not be here without every single music teacher and every single note from the hearts that sang or played notes that entered my heart and soul. The short answer is everyone and everything. Some key musicians would be Joni Mitchell. My Aunt Julie use to put together slide shows of photographs of our family and it was always certain "Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell would be included. I love "Circle Game" with all of my heart. I feel it encapsulates life's gift so delicately. My dad loved music as well. I remember having huge conversations with him about musicians; he would watch documentaries about amazing people like Freddie Mercury, Cat Stevens and groups like CCR, Men at Work, and the amazing Bee Gees to name a few. One of my favourite songs is "Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong. What a gift for our world! Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and the whole '80s and '90s engine of music that I was raised on impacted me; musicians united to help heal the world - this always resonated with my heart. I used to dream I could help heal our world like all of them. I have always had a calling to be a superhero.
Q: "It's Only Love" is a beautifully moving anthem for gay rights that looks at the issue on a human, personal but not political level. What kind of response have you received for it thus far?
'It's Only Love' is 'that song' that took almost two decades to write and a lifetime lived with more tears than any other song I have ever written before or since. It is also the song that has been rewritten too many times to count. I needed this song for my gay heart to heal. Adversities and struggles are the actual teachers to humanity. I know this song was my responsibility to write and share my heart's loving emotion openly with the world about being gay. The truth is it took my dad taking his life to really be able to write this song properly as being gay became a piece of cake compared to him taking his life. Perspectives, right? I did not know my own strength, power or worth before he died. To answer your question, this song has only just begun to make the waves I know it will. So far, I am at 31,000 views on YouTube and I know I have just scratched the surface. I want to sing this song live and unplugged with just me playing the piano and singing to really bring the heart to life in others. I am so sorry when I hear of LGBTQ hate crimes and at worst gay death as a result of hate. There is nothing more disgutsting to me. I actually was called to release this song as my first single from my album Diamond Light after reading about an eighth-grade boy in Chatham, Ontario, a neighboring town to where I live in Canada. This poor innocent gay child was beaten by four teens in broad daylight on his way home from school for being openly gay as he got off his school bus. It just killed my heart and soul to think these kids today are fighting the conflicts and wars of adults and organized religions preaching hate for the way someone loves another human being. I knew I needed this song to have wings as fast as I could to say enough to LGBTQ hate crimes so I contacted the Chatham newspaper where I read the story of this boy and released "It's Only Love" immediately to the world.
At the same time, PROP8 and DOMA were being reviewed by the Supreme Court in the United States and to think here in Canada where we have Federal Same-Sex Equal Rights and Protections under the law kids are still being hospitalized for LGBTQ hate crimes by other kids. I mean, what is wrong with us? At the same time I was also reading about LGBTQ hate crimes and deaths in New York City and Paris, France. This stuff just breaks my heart. I am crying right now. I want the world to really wake the fuck up. Being gay is the least of our worries, people. Look at the way Russia is right now with LGBTQ hate crimes by the people and the Russian government, and they were awarded the Olympics? Rewarding Russia's gross behavior does not sit well with my soul. I love what President Barack Obama just announced yesterday, that he has appointed openly gay delegates to represent the United States at the Sochi Winter Olympics. I am so in love with this beautiful man! I guess you could say I didn't want the song to be political but I certainly am so I guess the song sort of is. I will always be an advocate for love between two consenting hearts and souls. When I sing, I sing my heart to life for love. I made that promise to myself the day my dad died.
Q: Do you feel that Canada has had a more open and tolerant view of gay rights than the U.S.?
A: So far yes, Canada is certainly a leader in this area of LGBTQ human rights but good God we have so much more work to do to heal this globally. For instance, right now in India the government is still willing to put someone in prison for life for being gay. We need to really step up our game with our kids and have those imparative conversations about equality for all people. There is no longer the right to hide behind religious hate.
Q: Your father committed suicide in 2011. Did that inspire you to begin working with mental-health organizations?
A: Absolutely. There are no words to express how this changed me. I always say it changed my DNA to see my dad with my own eyes hanging by a rope. I collapsed. I broke open. There is nothing that can prepare one's heart for the damage to the spirit of humanity by seeing this and experiencing this. I will never forget what that looks like or feels like. I am here to always be an advocate for love and life. The crazy part for me is that his own dad took his life when he was only 9-years-old. I have also come to learn that my great grandparents on my dad's side also took their own lives. I also know they did the best they could. This is the product of the first and second world war. Those seeds are still alive in our world today which is why we must find global peace and start talking about it and creating it. War is not the answer or the solution. Peace comes from within us through love, which is always the message within all of my music and compositions. Peace is only attainable outside of ourselves by being peaceful inside of ourselves. I will always volunteer my time to any mental health organization wherever and whenever I can. I pray for all people that suffer with any challenge or adversity. God bless you with love.
A: When we moved to London from St. Thomas I started a new school. With this new school came a new music Teacher named Mrs. Vermue. Mrs. Vermue use to come into our classroom two times a week and bring her autoharp, which is an instrument I have never seen since. She would do singalongs with all of our class and I absolutely loved it. By the time I was in grade 4 she had pulled me aside and told me what a wonderful voice I had and that I should consider changing schools to attend St. Mary's Choir and Orchestra School. At the time, I didn't understand what was happening. Mrs. Vermue sent me home with a pamphlet for my Mom to read. I thought nothing of it. My mom had different plans. I will never forget, my mom pulling me aside a few days later telling me in a stern way (with pamphlet in hand): "Paul, you are going to this new school!" The universe and these two women had plans for me that I didn't know at the time. My mom sent me back with the pamphlet (enrollment form filled out) and instructed me to return it to my teacher. A few weeks later I had to sing privately for Mrs. Vermue. She again told me I had such a beautiful voice and explained to me what a gift I had. I was thankful for her kindness and didn't give it much thought.
The following summer, my mom sat me down and told me I was accepted to attend St. Mary's because of my audition with Mrs. Vermue and that I would start this new school after the summer holidays. I remember being so incredibly sad at the time and not at all open to the idea of changing schools again. I thought my world was over and that my mom was the meanest mom on the planet! I will never forget my first day at St. Mary's. I remember my Mom dropping me off at the front gate and feeling sick to my stomach. I remember running to the bathroom trying to hide my uncontrollable tears erupting beneath my eyes. That first week was incredibly hard for me. I felt like I had no friends. I would often find myself crying in the bathroom stalls. I remember the day everything changed. This beautiful boy became my best friend In gym class, he chose me as his gym partner when I thought I was alone. Having one person accept me made me feel everything was ok and I instantly accepted St. Mary's as my new home. I thrived with some amazingly talented beautiful kids for four years of childhood musical bliss. We took music classes every single day and it was a magical world to grow up in. Every student had to sing everyday and learn how to play a string instrument. For me it was the beautiful cello. Let's just say that my mom, Mrs. Vermue, and the universe knew exactly what I needed when I did not. The blessing in my life was people caring enough about me to know what I needed in order to thrive. It was and still is music!
Q: What attracted you to music?
A: My first memories of being conscious about music was when my Granny Ruth would sing and play her brand new organ. All the colors within me would light up like the organ's selection keys. My granny use to sing and play "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "Yellow Bird" with the beats and blends of the modern sounds of the time; I think her favourite beat was the classinova. Around that same time I was in half-day kindergarden; I had a teacher named Mrs. Soaper. She used to play the piano and sing songs for the whole class like my granny and I just loved watching and listening to her play music that soothed my soul. Music for as long as I can remember made me feel lovely inside of my heart and gave me feelings of love like nothing else has ever been able to.
Q: Who are your artistic influences and in what ways have they impacted you creatively?
A: I find this question challenging to answer as music is a life-long-journey finding the literal soundtrack to your life. I feel like I am the total sum of all of my parts especially with music. I would not be here without every single music teacher and every single note from the hearts that sang or played notes that entered my heart and soul. The short answer is everyone and everything. Some key musicians would be Joni Mitchell. My Aunt Julie use to put together slide shows of photographs of our family and it was always certain "Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell would be included. I love "Circle Game" with all of my heart. I feel it encapsulates life's gift so delicately. My dad loved music as well. I remember having huge conversations with him about musicians; he would watch documentaries about amazing people like Freddie Mercury, Cat Stevens and groups like CCR, Men at Work, and the amazing Bee Gees to name a few. One of my favourite songs is "Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong. What a gift for our world! Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and the whole '80s and '90s engine of music that I was raised on impacted me; musicians united to help heal the world - this always resonated with my heart. I used to dream I could help heal our world like all of them. I have always had a calling to be a superhero.
Q: "It's Only Love" is a beautifully moving anthem for gay rights that looks at the issue on a human, personal but not political level. What kind of response have you received for it thus far?
'It's Only Love' is 'that song' that took almost two decades to write and a lifetime lived with more tears than any other song I have ever written before or since. It is also the song that has been rewritten too many times to count. I needed this song for my gay heart to heal. Adversities and struggles are the actual teachers to humanity. I know this song was my responsibility to write and share my heart's loving emotion openly with the world about being gay. The truth is it took my dad taking his life to really be able to write this song properly as being gay became a piece of cake compared to him taking his life. Perspectives, right? I did not know my own strength, power or worth before he died. To answer your question, this song has only just begun to make the waves I know it will. So far, I am at 31,000 views on YouTube and I know I have just scratched the surface. I want to sing this song live and unplugged with just me playing the piano and singing to really bring the heart to life in others. I am so sorry when I hear of LGBTQ hate crimes and at worst gay death as a result of hate. There is nothing more disgutsting to me. I actually was called to release this song as my first single from my album Diamond Light after reading about an eighth-grade boy in Chatham, Ontario, a neighboring town to where I live in Canada. This poor innocent gay child was beaten by four teens in broad daylight on his way home from school for being openly gay as he got off his school bus. It just killed my heart and soul to think these kids today are fighting the conflicts and wars of adults and organized religions preaching hate for the way someone loves another human being. I knew I needed this song to have wings as fast as I could to say enough to LGBTQ hate crimes so I contacted the Chatham newspaper where I read the story of this boy and released "It's Only Love" immediately to the world.
At the same time, PROP8 and DOMA were being reviewed by the Supreme Court in the United States and to think here in Canada where we have Federal Same-Sex Equal Rights and Protections under the law kids are still being hospitalized for LGBTQ hate crimes by other kids. I mean, what is wrong with us? At the same time I was also reading about LGBTQ hate crimes and deaths in New York City and Paris, France. This stuff just breaks my heart. I am crying right now. I want the world to really wake the fuck up. Being gay is the least of our worries, people. Look at the way Russia is right now with LGBTQ hate crimes by the people and the Russian government, and they were awarded the Olympics? Rewarding Russia's gross behavior does not sit well with my soul. I love what President Barack Obama just announced yesterday, that he has appointed openly gay delegates to represent the United States at the Sochi Winter Olympics. I am so in love with this beautiful man! I guess you could say I didn't want the song to be political but I certainly am so I guess the song sort of is. I will always be an advocate for love between two consenting hearts and souls. When I sing, I sing my heart to life for love. I made that promise to myself the day my dad died.
Q: Do you feel that Canada has had a more open and tolerant view of gay rights than the U.S.?
A: So far yes, Canada is certainly a leader in this area of LGBTQ human rights but good God we have so much more work to do to heal this globally. For instance, right now in India the government is still willing to put someone in prison for life for being gay. We need to really step up our game with our kids and have those imparative conversations about equality for all people. There is no longer the right to hide behind religious hate.
Q: Your father committed suicide in 2011. Did that inspire you to begin working with mental-health organizations?
A: Absolutely. There are no words to express how this changed me. I always say it changed my DNA to see my dad with my own eyes hanging by a rope. I collapsed. I broke open. There is nothing that can prepare one's heart for the damage to the spirit of humanity by seeing this and experiencing this. I will never forget what that looks like or feels like. I am here to always be an advocate for love and life. The crazy part for me is that his own dad took his life when he was only 9-years-old. I have also come to learn that my great grandparents on my dad's side also took their own lives. I also know they did the best they could. This is the product of the first and second world war. Those seeds are still alive in our world today which is why we must find global peace and start talking about it and creating it. War is not the answer or the solution. Peace comes from within us through love, which is always the message within all of my music and compositions. Peace is only attainable outside of ourselves by being peaceful inside of ourselves. I will always volunteer my time to any mental health organization wherever and whenever I can. I pray for all people that suffer with any challenge or adversity. God bless you with love.
LUFTENEGGER INSPIRES - December 19th, 2013
PAUL LUFTENEGGER RECEIVED A HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM O MAGAZINE IN NEW YORK THANKING HIM FOR HIS LATEST ALBUM, DIAMOND LIGHT
By John Sharpe - Scene Magazine London
Through the power of his inspirational music London singer-songwriter Paul Luftenegger is gaining national and international recognition. Luftenegger’s latest single, ‘It’s Only Love’ has been viewed over 30,000 times on YouTube and he was recently honoured by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne for his commitment to suicide awareness. In addition, ‘Diamond Light,’ a single from his album of the same name, made it to the finals of the 2013 International Songwriting Competition and eventually garnered an Honourable Mention Award. “I almost fell over when I found out. It took my breath away with gratitude. I have worked so hard trying to make waves of love and kindness around the world since losing my dad to suicide almost three years ago,” said Luftenegger in a press release. “The recent nomination/finalist news is huge as there are many 1000’s of songs entered from all over the world in these contests, so to make it to this point really makes me feel that things are really starting to change and take shape on an international stage. So far, my largest following is actually from Denmark, the United States and Canada.” Paul Luftenegger will showcase Diamond Light on Friday, January 17, 7:00 p.m. at the Wolf Performance Hall (251 Dundas St.). Please call (519) 661-5120 for further info.
Paul Aims To Inspire Others Through His Gospel Music
Royal Gazette, Bermuda - Weekend Edition
November 23rd, 2013
By Jessie Moniz Hardy <Link To Article>
Former Bermuda resident Paul Luftenegger, who uses music to inspire kindness in others, is a finalist in a large online songwriting competition. Mr Luftenegger, formerly worked at Arnold’s Supermarket but now lives in Canada with his Bermudian husband, Cori Brown. After leaving Bermuda he took up song writing full time and has produced three albums, the third Diamond Light will be released in January. Meanwhile his song from that album, also called Diamond Light has been selected for the USA Songwriting Competition, open to songwriters from around the world. Voting for the competition ended yesterday. He was a finalist in the gospel/inspirational category. “It is an online competition,” said Mr Luftenegger. “My song has been selected out of tens of thousands of songs to take part.” His aim as a singer and song writer is to inspire “global kindness”. “It is lovely to see that in the music world as I don’t think it has been done a lot,” he said. “My song Diamond Light is all about the inside world of being kind to yourself and being kind to others. This is the concept of the song and the words are reflective.” When he is not writing music, Mr Luftenegger volunteers with a suicide awareness group. “My father took his life in 2011,” he said. “At that time I did a life review and it changed everything. I am now working in service to others. I work with many non profit charities around the world with my music. I work with the Canadian Mental Health Association as a guest speaker volunteering my time and services.” Through his work he tries to create “kind moments from the heart”. One of his songs It’s Only Love was dedicated to a gay eighth grader in Toronto, Canada who was violently assaulted by four classmates because of his sexual orientation. “Many times the media is not always positive,” he said. “I wanted to create kind moments using the media. I want people to have compassion for each other.” After his It’s Only Love was released Oprah’s O Magazine sent him a personal letter to thank him for writing the song. “Oprah is one of my heroes,” he said. He will be starting a concert series in London, Ontario, Canada on January 14. His music is available on iTunes. Listen to Diamond Light on Mr Luftenegger’s website and learn more about the competition itself on Facebook under USA Songwriting Competition.
(Paul's Notes On This Article/Correction - The grade 8 boy was from Chatham Ontario and Oprah's O Magazine thanked me for my music not my song)
(Paul's Notes On This Article/Correction - The grade 8 boy was from Chatham Ontario and Oprah's O Magazine thanked me for my music not my song)
Vote For Paul Luftenegger's Diamond Light
London Free Press & James Reaney (Blog)
November 20th, 2013 <Link To Blog>
Click here Ace London singer-songwriter-activist Paul Luftenegger has been celebrated here before . . . now Paul is looking for your online voting help in a big songwriting contest. His Diamond Light is a Gospel category finalist — and voting closes Friday. (So here’s the background with the voting link right there for you in paragraph No. 1.) Which is where Paul should be, all being well. Go Paul etc.
Paul passed along the following details today (Wednesday) Colette is a very close personal friend and an incredible high-end designer in Toronto. Here is the Facebook page for Colette Volk of Colette Volk Design Ltd. Toronto Ontario
https://www.facebook.com/ColetteVolkDesign
Paul Luftenegger, left, and Toronto designer Colette Volk. An image connected with Paul’s Beautiful World campaign courtesy of paulluftenegger.com edit.
Paul passed along the following details today (Wednesday) Colette is a very close personal friend and an incredible high-end designer in Toronto. Here is the Facebook page for Colette Volk of Colette Volk Design Ltd. Toronto Ontario
https://www.facebook.com/ColetteVolkDesign
Paul Luftenegger, left, and Toronto designer Colette Volk. An image connected with Paul’s Beautiful World campaign courtesy of paulluftenegger.com edit.
"It's Only Love": A Powerful Statement About Growing Up Gay
Press Review By Journalist Stacey Zering 'IT'S ONLY LOVE' Published By Online Roots Music Community Publication 'NO DEPRESSION', November 11th, 2013 - Seattle Washington <Link To Article>
It is devastating. There is enough unguarded emotion in Paul Luftenegger’s latest single, “It’s Only Love,” to fuel a number of break-up ballads. However, Luftenegger’s lyrics aren’t narrating a relationship gone wrong; rather, it illustrates the absence of equality given to LGBT communities, especially concerning gay marriage. “When I was a boy/I knew I loved different than you,” Luftenegger sings, his voice nearly collapsing in sorrow. The crystalline beauty of Luftenegger’s vocals recalls the wounded vulnerability and boyish innocence of Roger Hodgson of Supertramp. The music, too, with its melodic, Beatles-esque piano echoes Supertramp’s most evocative moments. However, the tone here is quite melancholy; there is profound sadness beneath these words, a yearning for acceptance that is personal and not merely socio-political.
“It’s only love/It doesn’t hurt anyone,” goes the chorus, and with this Luftenegger summarizes the wrongness of preventing gays from marrying in a short, simple fashion. It’s a message of freedom, one of the principles that America was founded on. But Luftenegger doesn’t shuffle the issue in a liberal vs. conservative context; instead, it’s autobiographical, a direct hit from the heart. By sharing what’s inside of him instead of what’s in newspaper headlines, Luftenegger makes it universal. Gay or straight, Luftenegger has recorded the most powerful statement on growing up homosexual since Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy.”
“It’s only love/It doesn’t hurt anyone,” goes the chorus, and with this Luftenegger summarizes the wrongness of preventing gays from marrying in a short, simple fashion. It’s a message of freedom, one of the principles that America was founded on. But Luftenegger doesn’t shuffle the issue in a liberal vs. conservative context; instead, it’s autobiographical, a direct hit from the heart. By sharing what’s inside of him instead of what’s in newspaper headlines, Luftenegger makes it universal. Gay or straight, Luftenegger has recorded the most powerful statement on growing up homosexual since Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy.”
POP MAKING SENSE
MUSIC REVIEW BY WINDY CITY MEDIA GROUP
CHICAGO ILLINOIS USA
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
By David Byrne with Tony Peregrin - August 8th, 2013 <Link To Article>
As a call for compassion throughout the world, Paul Luftenegger released "It's Only Love." Fans of Lana Del Rey or Mazzy Star can appreciate the soft arrangement matched with thought-provoking lyrics. The openly-gay Canadian looks to himself and history to show he understands where others are coming from as he sings, "When you claim your hate, I know you hurt… What you do to me, is already done to you." The video is vintage home video from a family vacation at the beach. Luftenegger's forthcoming album Diamond Light is due out in January and also contains the singles "Universal Love," "You're a Star" and "Mending."
Q Salt Lake - Daily Fix
New Song 'It's Only Love' - Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Michael Aaron - Publisher <Link To Article>
Paul Luftenegger is an openly gay international singer/songwriter from Canada who says he writes music that fosters conversation. Here is his story about this song: I am writing you today to share my story of the past three years – Namely, to highlight my work making my LOVE come to life to help others through sound recordings that help the healing process. At our best, we are all helping each other heal. On March 6th, 2011 my life changed beyond measure. While visiting my parents at my childhood home my Mom and I found my Father hanging by a rope on a very cold Sunday morning. There is nothing that could ever prepare anyone for something as tragic as finding their Father dead by his own hand and there is no one that could ever understand the anguish of unfolding this disaster from then to now, here with these words, writing you with hope in my heart for all life to love. I remember within the first two days of my trauma making the most serious statement I had ever made to myself; that blessings had to come from this horrible disaster. This statement was the only thing that helped my heart move with forward motion. This same statement still pushes me forward and propels me to move mountains with my work and I know it will be the fuel that moves me for the rest of my life being of service to our World as I navigate the importance of my life and my story to help others. This past Spring, I read about a grade 8 boy from Chatham, Ontario, Canada – a small city about an hour’s drive west from my home town of London, Ontario. This beautiful child and the gross behavior of four criminal teenagers changed my life as I read about the story of them beating this 8th grade boy in tandem in broad daylight. This innocent child was kicked repeatedly in the ribs by 4 hearts filled with hate after getting off of a school bus on his way home for the simple fact he was openly gay. The fact this beautiful gay child had the courage to heal from this hate crime moved my heart with great compassion for both him and myself and of course every single assaulted person in our World. Since reading about this boy’s story I have had a great deal of press from a song I wrote called, ‘IT’S ONLY LOVE’ which is what I am hoping to share with your readers today. Here’s what I know – I wrote and recorded this song long before this boy in Chatham was brutally assaulted and there is no mistake in its message being brought to you and the readers of your beautiful publication. The message of this song is clear in it’s chorus ‘IT’S ONLY LOVE’ and it is time the World hear it’s vitally important message as we see LGBT hate crimes on the rise with stories coming in from all over the World. Enough is enough. ‘IT’S ONLY LOVE’ has had a great deal of press and support to bring awareness to bullying with the goal and intention to help stop all LGBT hate crimes. For more information, visit www.paulluftenegger.com
It's Only Love Puts a Different Spin On Being Gay
July 18th, 2013
London Community News - By Sean Meyer
Also Published In Durham Region By Metroland Media
Also Published in Cambridge Times By Metroland Media
When four boys assaulted an openly gay Chatham teen back in May it stirred up many emotions in London singer/songwriter Paul Luftenegger. Luftenegger was also assaulted years ago while living in Bermuda for no reason other than his sexual preference. So the 36-year-old knew he wanted to do something in honour of a young man he was overwhelmingly impressed by. “I know what it is like to be in Grade 8, dealing with these emotions and the world is much faster than when I was a child,” Luftenegger said. “The fact this boy was openly gay in Grade 8 is incredible to me. It also reminds me that we have a responsibility to protect our children. That ultimately comes from parents having a discussion with their children about the importance of accepting people for who they are.” With that in mind, Luftenegger dedicated one of the songs on his upcoming third album Diamond Light to the Chatham teen. It’s Only Love is what he called his “different spin” on being gay. The song is a reflection, Luftenegger said, on his own experiences of growing up Catholic in a world that didn’t seem to understand him. He had originally written when he was 19, but decided to scrap it because it was written from a place of anger. Luftenegger said this version of the song was written from a much different place in his life, one that focuses on love and positivity rather than anger and negativity. “I can’t say what someone else will feel about being gay, but this is me judging myself. And after years of wanting to take a pill to not be gay, I wouldn’t change myself for the world,” Luftenegger said. “That is what comes at the end of being in my 30s as opposed to being in my 20s. Back then I was very confused, I had a hard time being OK with who I was at that time.” Luftenegger finished work on Diamond Light back in April with producer Arun Chaturvedi and has released five singles so far. He plans of releasing the album on Jan 14, 2014, which is also his birthday. However, the singer says he had never intended to make It’s Only Love his first release. “I don’t want people to think I am using this child in an opportunistic way; this is exactly why we have to have the discussion,” Luftenegger said. “At the end of the day, you have to accept who you are. We can send people to the moon, but we can’t understand love is harmless. I mean it really is only love, what is everyone so afraid of?” Fear is something Luftenegger said is the root of so much negativity around the globe. However, he also feels the gay community can go a long way towards teaching tolerance in the world. “I think gay people have a lot to teach the world. The older I have gotten, I think there are a lot of things not recognized by the straight community, what tolerance really is,” Luftenegger said. “It goes into racial lines. I am married to someone who is black. So I have seen racism. I like what a lot of black people say; white people don’t know they are white until they are in a room full of black people.” It really comes down to just treating people as “human beings,” Luftenegger said, adding that such a position really “seems so basic” to him. Luftenegger said he didn’t have a lot of gay role models growing up, but today is a big fan of television personalities Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell. However, for anyone who is looking to his music, Luftenegger said he hopes they will find some inspiration as well. “If you are gay, I hope you know you can follow your dreams, be open with who you are, and succeed. I think every single person is a teacher to every other person. If someone is straight, I would hope they feel the same thing,” Luftenegger said. “When you know better, you do better. That is Oprah’s line from Maya Angelou and it is so true.” Those words also apply to Luftenegger himself, who said the work he has done on Diamond Light has proven inspiring in its own way. While praising the efforts of Chaturvedi in helping the project together as he envisioned it, the singer said he had originally written 20 songs that were soon split into two albums. The second album is yet to be recorded. The music of Diamond Light, Luftenegger said, is really something that anyone, gay or straight, young or old can relate to. As he calls it, G-rated music. However, that family friendly description doesn’t mean he has shied away from touching on very personal subject matter — or becoming involved in particular emotional projects. After his father’s death, Luftenegger said he did a lot of work on suicide awareness, even serving as a guest speaker at a Canadian Mental Health Association event. He has also worked with a charity in Kelowna, B.C. that is using his song Beautiful World, from the 2011 album of the same name, in a video being prepared for world suicide awareness day this fall. The music that became Diamond Light “just felt out of me,” Luftenegger said, adding that the past year has truly brought him to a better place. “I tried to do this when I was 18 to 22 and there was nothing. I didn’t have enough life experience. I really stopped for about 12 years and then this thing with my dad happened and there was nothing else that could have saved me like music,” Luftenegger said. “I feel now this has been a path that was always destined for me. I can’t explain it, just everything has fallen into place fairly fast, and it is pretty cool.” For more information on Paul Luftenegger or to purchase his music, visit www.paulluftenegger.com.
Also Published In Durham Region By Metroland Media
Also Published in Cambridge Times By Metroland Media
When four boys assaulted an openly gay Chatham teen back in May it stirred up many emotions in London singer/songwriter Paul Luftenegger. Luftenegger was also assaulted years ago while living in Bermuda for no reason other than his sexual preference. So the 36-year-old knew he wanted to do something in honour of a young man he was overwhelmingly impressed by. “I know what it is like to be in Grade 8, dealing with these emotions and the world is much faster than when I was a child,” Luftenegger said. “The fact this boy was openly gay in Grade 8 is incredible to me. It also reminds me that we have a responsibility to protect our children. That ultimately comes from parents having a discussion with their children about the importance of accepting people for who they are.” With that in mind, Luftenegger dedicated one of the songs on his upcoming third album Diamond Light to the Chatham teen. It’s Only Love is what he called his “different spin” on being gay. The song is a reflection, Luftenegger said, on his own experiences of growing up Catholic in a world that didn’t seem to understand him. He had originally written when he was 19, but decided to scrap it because it was written from a place of anger. Luftenegger said this version of the song was written from a much different place in his life, one that focuses on love and positivity rather than anger and negativity. “I can’t say what someone else will feel about being gay, but this is me judging myself. And after years of wanting to take a pill to not be gay, I wouldn’t change myself for the world,” Luftenegger said. “That is what comes at the end of being in my 30s as opposed to being in my 20s. Back then I was very confused, I had a hard time being OK with who I was at that time.” Luftenegger finished work on Diamond Light back in April with producer Arun Chaturvedi and has released five singles so far. He plans of releasing the album on Jan 14, 2014, which is also his birthday. However, the singer says he had never intended to make It’s Only Love his first release. “I don’t want people to think I am using this child in an opportunistic way; this is exactly why we have to have the discussion,” Luftenegger said. “At the end of the day, you have to accept who you are. We can send people to the moon, but we can’t understand love is harmless. I mean it really is only love, what is everyone so afraid of?” Fear is something Luftenegger said is the root of so much negativity around the globe. However, he also feels the gay community can go a long way towards teaching tolerance in the world. “I think gay people have a lot to teach the world. The older I have gotten, I think there are a lot of things not recognized by the straight community, what tolerance really is,” Luftenegger said. “It goes into racial lines. I am married to someone who is black. So I have seen racism. I like what a lot of black people say; white people don’t know they are white until they are in a room full of black people.” It really comes down to just treating people as “human beings,” Luftenegger said, adding that such a position really “seems so basic” to him. Luftenegger said he didn’t have a lot of gay role models growing up, but today is a big fan of television personalities Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell. However, for anyone who is looking to his music, Luftenegger said he hopes they will find some inspiration as well. “If you are gay, I hope you know you can follow your dreams, be open with who you are, and succeed. I think every single person is a teacher to every other person. If someone is straight, I would hope they feel the same thing,” Luftenegger said. “When you know better, you do better. That is Oprah’s line from Maya Angelou and it is so true.” Those words also apply to Luftenegger himself, who said the work he has done on Diamond Light has proven inspiring in its own way. While praising the efforts of Chaturvedi in helping the project together as he envisioned it, the singer said he had originally written 20 songs that were soon split into two albums. The second album is yet to be recorded. The music of Diamond Light, Luftenegger said, is really something that anyone, gay or straight, young or old can relate to. As he calls it, G-rated music. However, that family friendly description doesn’t mean he has shied away from touching on very personal subject matter — or becoming involved in particular emotional projects. After his father’s death, Luftenegger said he did a lot of work on suicide awareness, even serving as a guest speaker at a Canadian Mental Health Association event. He has also worked with a charity in Kelowna, B.C. that is using his song Beautiful World, from the 2011 album of the same name, in a video being prepared for world suicide awareness day this fall. The music that became Diamond Light “just felt out of me,” Luftenegger said, adding that the past year has truly brought him to a better place. “I tried to do this when I was 18 to 22 and there was nothing. I didn’t have enough life experience. I really stopped for about 12 years and then this thing with my dad happened and there was nothing else that could have saved me like music,” Luftenegger said. “I feel now this has been a path that was always destined for me. I can’t explain it, just everything has fallen into place fairly fast, and it is pretty cool.” For more information on Paul Luftenegger or to purchase his music, visit www.paulluftenegger.com.
Video: London musician dedicates new song to Chatham boy assaulted for being gay
July 7th, 2013
By Kevin Hurren
METRO NEWS LONDON <Link>
While most of us begrudge the short walk from our front door to the driveway to get the morning paper, Londoner Paul Luftenegger drove miles to buy five issues of Chatham’s news. When the London musician saw an online post earlier this summer about a grade 8 boy getting assaulted by four older teenagers for being gay, Luftenegger needed to learn more. A member of the gay community himself, Luftenegger was overwhelmed with the amount of hate crime coverage coming out of major cities like New York and Paris. The incident in Chatham was too close to home for Luftenegger’s liking. Having always used music to ignite change, Luftenegger released “It’s Only Love.” The track is dedicated to both the young Chatham boy and others who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered and have faced adversity. Though the song is part of his newest album Diamond Light, it has been a work in progress since Luftenegger’s teen years. “I had to face some encounters that were physically violent, so this song is one of those things I’ve been meaning to write for many years,” he said. Now more emotionally mature, Luftenegger was able to use the song as a cathartic way to process his own experiences. The video for the track is a montage of Luftenegger’s own family videos, making the entire process a reflection of his childhood. “I wanted to remind people that children are so innocent,” he said, while remembering a time when he wasn’t happy with himself. “Now as an adult, I’m thankful for everything I am.” Though “It’s Only Love” is meant to spread mostly awareness, proceeds from other tracks on Luftenegger’s albums will go to various anti-suicide charitable initiatives.
Chatham Daily News & The London Free Press - Sun Media
Songwriter moved by courage of teen and support of his family - June 26th, 2013 - Bob Boughner <Link>
A singer/songwriter from London has dedicated his latest song called It's Only Love to a gay Chatham teenager who was attacked last month by four teenagers. Paul Luftenegger told The Daily News Wednesday the story has brought a great deal of awareness to the sad truth of the reality of hate crimes and an opportunity to improve communities in relation to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) awareness and acceptance. "After hearing about this story being so close to home, coupled with the increase in hate crimes globally related to LGBT issues, the timing coincided perfectly for a song I had recorded on my new album Diamond Light,'' he said. Luftenegger said the song It's Only Love is essentially about his story growing up and accepting himself through a great deal of diversity and challenges in relation to homophobia quite similar to what the Chatham teenager experienced. "His courage and his family's support has been so inspiring for so many people, including myself, and I want to thank them for being so open and willing to share their feelings,'' he said. Luftenegger said since releasing the song he has received a great deal of feedback from people around the world including media opportunities through print and radio. "The Chatham family illustrates the amount of work we still have ahead of us even after same-sex marriage legislation,'' he said. "We must be diligent in supporting our children and teaching the value and importance of human rights.'' Luftenegger said his goal in contacting The Daily News was to send some love and support to the Chatham family as well as the surrounding communities in hope of finding pathways to solutions. "Namely to suggest to parents to have an open discussion with their children about the importance of equality and human rights," he said. There have been 31,000 YouTube views within three weeks of releasing the song, he said. bob.boughner@sunmedia.ca
LONDON FREE PRESS
PAUL LUFTENEGGER SHARES HEART AND LOVE
James Reaney May 24, 2013 <LINK>
JBNBlog is happy to have the chance to share these words, music & images from London-tied artist/activist Paul Luftenegger. Here is a little more background from his website . . . Paul is among those reaching out & expressing solidarity with a Grade 8 student in Chatham who was attacked because he is gay. Solidarity here too.
(Over to Paul about It’s Only Love):
“It’s Only Love” was written to share my story growing up gay and judging myself because of what I was taught. I believe we are at a critical point in human evolution of our spirit and collective consciousness. My hope is that “It’s Only Love” makes its way to the Supreme Court in the U.S.A. during this monumental opportunity for equality for all LGBT Communities around the Globe. My intention is to inspire hearts in our World to be kind. Kindness is everything. If you feel so called please share “It’s Only Love” with those you care about as way of spreading kindness and acceptance for Love in our World.”
With the recent attack and hate crime of an openly gay grade 8 Student in Chatham, Ontario, Canada where equal rights exist and the countless and senseless hate crimes worldwide against gay people – “It’s Only Love” reminds all people that we must support one another with kindness and acceptance and that being gay is not a choice one makes. “My ultimate goal as an international, adult contemporary, gay singer/songwriter is to inspire global kindness through the music I write. My hope is that you share my music with others to expand and support love for all life.”
(This is from a recent e-mail Paul has sent out):
Hello!!
With the official release of my first song and single tomorrow ”It’s Only Love” (for sale Internationally) I wanted to share my video for this song with you as a way of sharing my heart with yours. While I was watching all of this old family footage of home-videos yesterday, I had the coolest experience. I had a beautiful heart form in the bottom of my coffee cup as I finished editing my video and music.
I feel deeply that this heart was a sign from my Dad saying hello from Heaven. I have attached a photo of this heart for you to share its message of LOVE.
To watch the video please click on the link or copy and paste this website address into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euo-OfoncV8
PLEASE HELP! ‘It’s Only Love’ Call to Action – PLEASE HELP SPREAD SOME LOVE by sharing this song with others…My goal and intention for writing ’It’s Only Love’ is to express my deep compassion and empathy for all LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) People around the World who suffer from LGBT hate crimes. Sadly often it is children who have the most horrendous time with this. We must be the change we wish to see in order to stop all LGBT hate crimes Globally. Thank you on behalf of all hate crime victims.
(Over to Paul about It’s Only Love):
“It’s Only Love” was written to share my story growing up gay and judging myself because of what I was taught. I believe we are at a critical point in human evolution of our spirit and collective consciousness. My hope is that “It’s Only Love” makes its way to the Supreme Court in the U.S.A. during this monumental opportunity for equality for all LGBT Communities around the Globe. My intention is to inspire hearts in our World to be kind. Kindness is everything. If you feel so called please share “It’s Only Love” with those you care about as way of spreading kindness and acceptance for Love in our World.”
With the recent attack and hate crime of an openly gay grade 8 Student in Chatham, Ontario, Canada where equal rights exist and the countless and senseless hate crimes worldwide against gay people – “It’s Only Love” reminds all people that we must support one another with kindness and acceptance and that being gay is not a choice one makes. “My ultimate goal as an international, adult contemporary, gay singer/songwriter is to inspire global kindness through the music I write. My hope is that you share my music with others to expand and support love for all life.”
(This is from a recent e-mail Paul has sent out):
Hello!!
With the official release of my first song and single tomorrow ”It’s Only Love” (for sale Internationally) I wanted to share my video for this song with you as a way of sharing my heart with yours. While I was watching all of this old family footage of home-videos yesterday, I had the coolest experience. I had a beautiful heart form in the bottom of my coffee cup as I finished editing my video and music.
I feel deeply that this heart was a sign from my Dad saying hello from Heaven. I have attached a photo of this heart for you to share its message of LOVE.
To watch the video please click on the link or copy and paste this website address into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euo-OfoncV8
PLEASE HELP! ‘It’s Only Love’ Call to Action – PLEASE HELP SPREAD SOME LOVE by sharing this song with others…My goal and intention for writing ’It’s Only Love’ is to express my deep compassion and empathy for all LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) People around the World who suffer from LGBT hate crimes. Sadly often it is children who have the most horrendous time with this. We must be the change we wish to see in order to stop all LGBT hate crimes Globally. Thank you on behalf of all hate crime victims.
London-Middlesex Suicide Prevention Council
Beautiful World By Paul Luftenegger <LINK>
London musician Paul Luftenegger hopes his music will inspire people to overcome adversity and find strength within themselves. Overcoming adversity and creating healing through music.By Sean Meyer London Community News – Metroland Media
Paul Luftenegger knows a lot about facing adversity and finding the strength to not only overcome it, but even prosper from it. The primary tool Luftenegger, 35, has used to overcome all the adversity he has had to cope with has been music. Having released his second album, Worthy, on Feb. 29, Luftenegger is hoping his music will not only continue to feed his own soul, but also the souls of those who hear and feel the impact he can create when sitting at the piano.
“Music has always been in the background. I started playing the piano when we moved to London (from St. Thomas when he was eight years old),” Luftenegger said. “My mom was always the pusher of music. And I have to say, it has been the best blessing I ever had in my life as an outlet to create.”
As a gay man, as a married man, as an entrepreneur, and as someone who has had to cope with the suicide of his father at age 56, Luftenegger knows what it is to face obstacles. His father’s death on March 6, 2011 was perhaps the biggest obstacle Luftenegger said he has ever had to cope with. Luftenegger says a grief counsellor who worked with the family at that time proved quite helpful, teaching him that choices have to be made and that through being open and honest about his experiences would encourage the healing process.
Paul Luftenegger knows a lot about facing adversity and finding the strength to not only overcome it, but even prosper from it. The primary tool Luftenegger, 35, has used to overcome all the adversity he has had to cope with has been music. Having released his second album, Worthy, on Feb. 29, Luftenegger is hoping his music will not only continue to feed his own soul, but also the souls of those who hear and feel the impact he can create when sitting at the piano.
“Music has always been in the background. I started playing the piano when we moved to London (from St. Thomas when he was eight years old),” Luftenegger said. “My mom was always the pusher of music. And I have to say, it has been the best blessing I ever had in my life as an outlet to create.”
As a gay man, as a married man, as an entrepreneur, and as someone who has had to cope with the suicide of his father at age 56, Luftenegger knows what it is to face obstacles. His father’s death on March 6, 2011 was perhaps the biggest obstacle Luftenegger said he has ever had to cope with. Luftenegger says a grief counsellor who worked with the family at that time proved quite helpful, teaching him that choices have to be made and that through being open and honest about his experiences would encourage the healing process.
LONDON COMMUNITY NEWS
Sean Meyer - Monday, July 30, 2012
London musician Paul Luftenegger hopes his music will inspire people to overcome adversity and find strength within themselves. His latest album, Worthy, was released Feb. 29. 2012
Overcoming adversity and creating healing through music.
By Sean Meyer London Community News - Metroland Media
Paul Luftenegger knows a lot about facing adversity and finding the strength to not only overcome it, but even prosper from it.
The primary tool Luftenegger, 35, has used to overcome all the adversity he has had to cope with has been music. Having released his second album, Worthy, on Feb. 29, Luftenegger is hoping his music will not only continue to feed his own soul, but also the souls of those who hear and feel the impact he can create when sitting at the piano.
“Music has always been in the background. I started playing the piano when we moved to London (from St. Thomas when he was eight years old),” Luftenegger said. “My mom was always the pusher of music. And I have to say, it has been the best blessing I ever had in my life as an outlet to create.”
As a gay man, as a married man, as an entrepreneur, and as someone who has had to cope with the suicide of his father at age 56, Luftenegger knows what it is to face obstacles.
His father’s death on March 6, 2011 was perhaps the biggest obstacle Luftenegger said he has ever had to cope with. Luftenegger says a grief counsellor who worked with the family at that time proved quite helpful, teaching him that choices have to be made and that through being open and honest about his experiences would encourage the healing process.
“I really clenched to that. She planted that seed. My favourite line is, ‘in every seed lies the promise of forest,” from Deepak Chopra. It is actually on my father’s grave,” Luftenegger said. “Something like this, it really does test your strength, physically, emotionally, mentally, everything. When I got out of that hurricane, I told myself there had to be blessings to come from this, because there has to be. Life carries on; it doesn’t stop because of a tragedy.”
Whether it was tragedy, adversity, ignorance, or any other obstacle put in his way, Luftenegger has been learning to cope since he was a young man. And music, it seems, was always in the background.
As a Grade 10 student at Catholic Central High School, music opened one particular door for Luftenegger. During a two-week tour of Austria and Italy, Luftenegger and a group of 100 students were given the opportunity to sing for Pope John Paul II, in Vatican City.
It was an experience, Luftenegger said, that remains with him even today and taught him an important lesson.
“The thing I noticed, even as a kid, a lot of priests were there to see him, but he didn’t seem interested. He gravitated to people in wheelchairs, people who were really less doting on him,” Luftenegger said. “It is an interesting thing I remember as a kid, just to be of service to others. How powerful that is. So again, music opened doors.”
Although it opened doors, Luftenegger spent many years believing he couldn’t make a living from music. So he tried his hand at becoming a commercial pilot, working as a massage therapist, serving as manager of an orchard and working as a supervisor in a call centre.
Years later, Luftenegger met the man he calls his true love, Cori. The couple has been together for nine years, married for six. The couple would eventually move to Cori’s native Bermuda and spend several years there with Luftenegger working in a grocery store.
Being gay, Luftenegger said, taught him another thing about overcoming adversity and being true to one’s self.
“It is an interesting road being gay; adversity is a funny thing. What it teaches you is that through being open and honest about everything, really that is how you grow in life,” said Luftenegger, who added the couple returned to London several years ago to begin the process of starting a family.
After returning to the Forest City, Luftenegger started up a company called Luft & Co., which manufactures renewable resource fiber bags. The bags were sold to companies such as Remark and to Western University. After his father’s death, Luftenegger said he stepped away from the business for a while.
Finally, after so many years of denying it, Luftenegger turned to music as a way to heal.
“I had to do something. So I started to write music again. I sat at the piano for hours,” said Luftenegger, who released his first album, Blessings From Above, in 2011. “I want my music to be positive. To create global kindness. That is what I really want to focus on within my career.”
The inspiration Luftenegger said he hopes his music brings appears to be taking hold. He has had people write him about his music, about the words he writes, from people not only across Canada, but from countries such as England, Argentina and Denmark.
“I have had amazing people write me about this. It hopefully touches your heart. It is an amazing thing when you can capture an emotion in a moment,” Luftenegger said. “I love that about art, everything about art, about creation. I am from London, it is my home, and I hope this all grows from a tiny nucleus to the rest of the world.”
Overcoming adversity and creating healing through music.
By Sean Meyer London Community News - Metroland Media
Paul Luftenegger knows a lot about facing adversity and finding the strength to not only overcome it, but even prosper from it.
The primary tool Luftenegger, 35, has used to overcome all the adversity he has had to cope with has been music. Having released his second album, Worthy, on Feb. 29, Luftenegger is hoping his music will not only continue to feed his own soul, but also the souls of those who hear and feel the impact he can create when sitting at the piano.
“Music has always been in the background. I started playing the piano when we moved to London (from St. Thomas when he was eight years old),” Luftenegger said. “My mom was always the pusher of music. And I have to say, it has been the best blessing I ever had in my life as an outlet to create.”
As a gay man, as a married man, as an entrepreneur, and as someone who has had to cope with the suicide of his father at age 56, Luftenegger knows what it is to face obstacles.
His father’s death on March 6, 2011 was perhaps the biggest obstacle Luftenegger said he has ever had to cope with. Luftenegger says a grief counsellor who worked with the family at that time proved quite helpful, teaching him that choices have to be made and that through being open and honest about his experiences would encourage the healing process.
“I really clenched to that. She planted that seed. My favourite line is, ‘in every seed lies the promise of forest,” from Deepak Chopra. It is actually on my father’s grave,” Luftenegger said. “Something like this, it really does test your strength, physically, emotionally, mentally, everything. When I got out of that hurricane, I told myself there had to be blessings to come from this, because there has to be. Life carries on; it doesn’t stop because of a tragedy.”
Whether it was tragedy, adversity, ignorance, or any other obstacle put in his way, Luftenegger has been learning to cope since he was a young man. And music, it seems, was always in the background.
As a Grade 10 student at Catholic Central High School, music opened one particular door for Luftenegger. During a two-week tour of Austria and Italy, Luftenegger and a group of 100 students were given the opportunity to sing for Pope John Paul II, in Vatican City.
It was an experience, Luftenegger said, that remains with him even today and taught him an important lesson.
“The thing I noticed, even as a kid, a lot of priests were there to see him, but he didn’t seem interested. He gravitated to people in wheelchairs, people who were really less doting on him,” Luftenegger said. “It is an interesting thing I remember as a kid, just to be of service to others. How powerful that is. So again, music opened doors.”
Although it opened doors, Luftenegger spent many years believing he couldn’t make a living from music. So he tried his hand at becoming a commercial pilot, working as a massage therapist, serving as manager of an orchard and working as a supervisor in a call centre.
Years later, Luftenegger met the man he calls his true love, Cori. The couple has been together for nine years, married for six. The couple would eventually move to Cori’s native Bermuda and spend several years there with Luftenegger working in a grocery store.
Being gay, Luftenegger said, taught him another thing about overcoming adversity and being true to one’s self.
“It is an interesting road being gay; adversity is a funny thing. What it teaches you is that through being open and honest about everything, really that is how you grow in life,” said Luftenegger, who added the couple returned to London several years ago to begin the process of starting a family.
After returning to the Forest City, Luftenegger started up a company called Luft & Co., which manufactures renewable resource fiber bags. The bags were sold to companies such as Remark and to Western University. After his father’s death, Luftenegger said he stepped away from the business for a while.
Finally, after so many years of denying it, Luftenegger turned to music as a way to heal.
“I had to do something. So I started to write music again. I sat at the piano for hours,” said Luftenegger, who released his first album, Blessings From Above, in 2011. “I want my music to be positive. To create global kindness. That is what I really want to focus on within my career.”
The inspiration Luftenegger said he hopes his music brings appears to be taking hold. He has had people write him about his music, about the words he writes, from people not only across Canada, but from countries such as England, Argentina and Denmark.
“I have had amazing people write me about this. It hopefully touches your heart. It is an amazing thing when you can capture an emotion in a moment,” Luftenegger said. “I love that about art, everything about art, about creation. I am from London, it is my home, and I hope this all grows from a tiny nucleus to the rest of the world.”
LONDON FREE PRESS - James Reaney
On the turnturnturntable:*
Paul Luftenegger & Worthy
james.reaney- June 29th, 2012
The background on Paul Luftenegger’s music is included here, because it has already helped me understand & appreciate it more.
The sound of the 27 minutes plus album is v. hushed & confessional, something like Joni Mitchell’s River but with vocals rarely rising above an intense whisper.
Lines about there being no antidote for the pain but it’s time to move on may look flat on the page . . . with Luftenegger’s approach though they have the effect of an inner debate being resolved. Reading more about him in the material here, I can see (& hear) how the tragedy of a father’s suicide is finding a healing through art just as it has in Jonathan Holiff’s film My Father and the Man in Black.
So it is possible to hear shock, loss & strength in the words & music . . . Paul Luftenegger calls it going back to the basics with just piano& vocals. Since he began creating songs about 20 years ago, some music be quite separate from how I’m hearing it.
All this said, the next thing the singer-songwriter needs to do is find out if he can add some changes of pace, some sounds beyond that quiet voice& the piano to his world. He doesn’t have to, of course . . . but it may be the addition of other voices/instruments/moods only make the confessional intensity all the stronger by way of contrast.
The sound of the 27 minutes plus album is v. hushed & confessional, something like Joni Mitchell’s River but with vocals rarely rising above an intense whisper.
Lines about there being no antidote for the pain but it’s time to move on may look flat on the page . . . with Luftenegger’s approach though they have the effect of an inner debate being resolved. Reading more about him in the material here, I can see (& hear) how the tragedy of a father’s suicide is finding a healing through art just as it has in Jonathan Holiff’s film My Father and the Man in Black.
So it is possible to hear shock, loss & strength in the words & music . . . Paul Luftenegger calls it going back to the basics with just piano& vocals. Since he began creating songs about 20 years ago, some music be quite separate from how I’m hearing it.
All this said, the next thing the singer-songwriter needs to do is find out if he can add some changes of pace, some sounds beyond that quiet voice& the piano to his world. He doesn’t have to, of course . . . but it may be the addition of other voices/instruments/moods only make the confessional intensity all the stronger by way of contrast.
This New Album "Worthy" is a collection of beautiful piano ballads
SLAIGHT MUSIC COMPANY - Priya Ramji
Paul's songs are stripped to just his voice and piano accompaniment, and this adds raw emotion to the songs. "Worthy" is a very empowering song which includes the following lyrics: "you are worthy of love, you are worthy of your dreams, you are worthy of everything..." Priya Ramji
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Letter To Premiers,
(2013)
Dear Honourable Brad Wall, And All Canadian Premiers,
I am writing this letter to you because of Todd Loik's recent suicide. I am a concerned Citizen of Canada and a concerned Citizen of our World.
Although I am writing this letter to you from Ontario, I am very much committed to this cause as I have been involved with suicide awareness since losing my own Father to suicide on March 6th, 2011 through my career as a Professional International Singer/Songwriter.
The responsibility of Todd's suicide is now upon us all as a result of this beautiful kind and loving child who just happened to be 15 years old when he decided to take his own life as a result of being harassed and bullied.
Todd's Story saddens me beyond measure. I know we must do something to change when things like this start happening in our communities to innocent vulnerable children like Todd.
The fact that Todd was bullied which contributed to his suicide, makes my blood boil. The fact that this is fully documented by way of intelligent technology reassures me that we know the parties and people involved, and most importantly what was communicated by these violent acts of hateful harassment.
I personally do not see Todd's situation and story any differently than a hate crime and I feel there are some serious questions that need to be asked and addressed relating to legislative policies in place to prevent things like this, and of course the law must be applied to those parties that contributed to this outcome for Todd.
As you know, Canada is now fully aware of Todd's story publicly. This I assure you will travel and grow into many homes in our Country talking about how Todd's story happened and this will most certainly travel to many homes far from our boarders here in Canada. I say this to you, as I want you to help through understanding that there will be many discussions and opportunities to expand positive outcomes as a result of this child's life being taken far too young by his own hand which was a choice he made after being bullied and harassed.
I feel very much that we collectively need to start a campaign to stop all hate-crimes; this includes anti-bullying/anti-harassment legislation that would be updated to address cases like Todd's.
Although there is no way to get Todd back here on our Earth - there are in fact many ways to help the Todd's of today that are still alive. Essentially, ensuring that stories like Todd's do not become an epidemic in our communities across the country.
I feel very much that we must unite collectively as a Country to ensure our children and Citizens are protected equally from this sort of abusive hate-crime/harassment. We must learn from Todd's story and make our Country safe to raise our families with love free from harassment and hate crimes.
Thank you for your commitment and service helping our Country and Communities.
Sincerely,
Paul Luftenegger
International Singer/Songwriter
(2013)
Dear Honourable Brad Wall, And All Canadian Premiers,
I am writing this letter to you because of Todd Loik's recent suicide. I am a concerned Citizen of Canada and a concerned Citizen of our World.
Although I am writing this letter to you from Ontario, I am very much committed to this cause as I have been involved with suicide awareness since losing my own Father to suicide on March 6th, 2011 through my career as a Professional International Singer/Songwriter.
The responsibility of Todd's suicide is now upon us all as a result of this beautiful kind and loving child who just happened to be 15 years old when he decided to take his own life as a result of being harassed and bullied.
Todd's Story saddens me beyond measure. I know we must do something to change when things like this start happening in our communities to innocent vulnerable children like Todd.
The fact that Todd was bullied which contributed to his suicide, makes my blood boil. The fact that this is fully documented by way of intelligent technology reassures me that we know the parties and people involved, and most importantly what was communicated by these violent acts of hateful harassment.
I personally do not see Todd's situation and story any differently than a hate crime and I feel there are some serious questions that need to be asked and addressed relating to legislative policies in place to prevent things like this, and of course the law must be applied to those parties that contributed to this outcome for Todd.
As you know, Canada is now fully aware of Todd's story publicly. This I assure you will travel and grow into many homes in our Country talking about how Todd's story happened and this will most certainly travel to many homes far from our boarders here in Canada. I say this to you, as I want you to help through understanding that there will be many discussions and opportunities to expand positive outcomes as a result of this child's life being taken far too young by his own hand which was a choice he made after being bullied and harassed.
I feel very much that we collectively need to start a campaign to stop all hate-crimes; this includes anti-bullying/anti-harassment legislation that would be updated to address cases like Todd's.
Although there is no way to get Todd back here on our Earth - there are in fact many ways to help the Todd's of today that are still alive. Essentially, ensuring that stories like Todd's do not become an epidemic in our communities across the country.
I feel very much that we must unite collectively as a Country to ensure our children and Citizens are protected equally from this sort of abusive hate-crime/harassment. We must learn from Todd's story and make our Country safe to raise our families with love free from harassment and hate crimes.
Thank you for your commitment and service helping our Country and Communities.
Sincerely,
Paul Luftenegger
International Singer/Songwriter
LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE BRAD WALL,
PREMIER OF SASKATCHEWAN - October 2nd, 2013
Dear Mr. Luftenegger,
Thank you for your email of September 29, 2013, regarding the tragic loss of Todd Loik. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
As the father of three children, it is painful for me to contemplate the torment Todd and other victims of bullying experience. As parents, our priority is to keep our children safe. But we know there’s only so much we can do. At some point we have to entrust our children to the world. We teach them about the importance of courtesy, respect and kindness and hope that others do the same. Unfortunately, lessons sometimes go untaught or unlearned. The empathy which makes civilized life possible goes missing. And someone like Todd suffers as a result.
It is our duty as a government – and as a society – to do all we can to prevent tragedies like this from occurring.
Accordingly, our government is developing an anti-bullying strategy in Saskatchewan, and we are keeping Todd and others like him in mind as we proceed.
I have appointed M.L.A. Jennifer Campeau to lead this initiative in her capacity as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education. Ms. Campeau has travelled the province to consult with citizens and online consultations have also taken place. In addition, Ms. Campeau has been gathering cross-jurisdictional information on anti-bullying efforts.
Written submissions will continue to be accepted at anti-bullying@gov.sk.ca until October 31, 2013, after which time Ms. Campeau will provide recommendations to the Minister of Education.
Meanwhile, a national committee of federal, provincial and territorial justice and public safety ministers has also been working since last fall to identify gaps in the Criminal Code and examine laws aimed at protecting victims of cyberbullying.
In April, the Honourable Gordon Wyant, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan, met with his provincial and territorial counterparts and federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to discuss these issues further and direct officials to review potential criminal law reforms to address cyberbullying.
On April 25, 2013, I called an emergency debate in Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly to address the serious problem of cyberbullying, and introduced the following motion:
That this Assembly supports the efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial Justice Ministers to better protect children by combating cyberbullying, including but not limited to changes to the Criminal Code of Canada that would make it a specific criminal offence to share intimate images without consent.
A report released in July on behalf of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety contains several recommendations, including updates to sections of the Criminal Code to help combat cyberbullying and the creation of a new offence of non- consensual distribution of intimate images, as well as enhanced tools to enable police and courts to deal with electronic technology.
The government is working in many ways to prevent bullying, and will continue to make this a priority. Other organizations, such as schools, municipalities and non-profit groups, are also taking action. I also believe there is a heightened awareness of the problem and the pain it causes among individuals and families.
I have forwarded your email to the Honourable Don Morgan, Q.C., Minister of Education, and Jennifer Campeau, M.L.A., for their information and consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Brad Wall Premier
cc Honourable Don Morgan, Q.C. Minister of Education
Jennifer Campeau, M.L.A. Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education Anti-Bullying Initiative
Thank you for your email of September 29, 2013, regarding the tragic loss of Todd Loik. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
As the father of three children, it is painful for me to contemplate the torment Todd and other victims of bullying experience. As parents, our priority is to keep our children safe. But we know there’s only so much we can do. At some point we have to entrust our children to the world. We teach them about the importance of courtesy, respect and kindness and hope that others do the same. Unfortunately, lessons sometimes go untaught or unlearned. The empathy which makes civilized life possible goes missing. And someone like Todd suffers as a result.
It is our duty as a government – and as a society – to do all we can to prevent tragedies like this from occurring.
Accordingly, our government is developing an anti-bullying strategy in Saskatchewan, and we are keeping Todd and others like him in mind as we proceed.
I have appointed M.L.A. Jennifer Campeau to lead this initiative in her capacity as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education. Ms. Campeau has travelled the province to consult with citizens and online consultations have also taken place. In addition, Ms. Campeau has been gathering cross-jurisdictional information on anti-bullying efforts.
Written submissions will continue to be accepted at anti-bullying@gov.sk.ca until October 31, 2013, after which time Ms. Campeau will provide recommendations to the Minister of Education.
Meanwhile, a national committee of federal, provincial and territorial justice and public safety ministers has also been working since last fall to identify gaps in the Criminal Code and examine laws aimed at protecting victims of cyberbullying.
In April, the Honourable Gordon Wyant, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Saskatchewan, met with his provincial and territorial counterparts and federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to discuss these issues further and direct officials to review potential criminal law reforms to address cyberbullying.
On April 25, 2013, I called an emergency debate in Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly to address the serious problem of cyberbullying, and introduced the following motion:
That this Assembly supports the efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial Justice Ministers to better protect children by combating cyberbullying, including but not limited to changes to the Criminal Code of Canada that would make it a specific criminal offence to share intimate images without consent.
A report released in July on behalf of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety contains several recommendations, including updates to sections of the Criminal Code to help combat cyberbullying and the creation of a new offence of non- consensual distribution of intimate images, as well as enhanced tools to enable police and courts to deal with electronic technology.
The government is working in many ways to prevent bullying, and will continue to make this a priority. Other organizations, such as schools, municipalities and non-profit groups, are also taking action. I also believe there is a heightened awareness of the problem and the pain it causes among individuals and families.
I have forwarded your email to the Honourable Don Morgan, Q.C., Minister of Education, and Jennifer Campeau, M.L.A., for their information and consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Brad Wall Premier
cc Honourable Don Morgan, Q.C. Minister of Education
Jennifer Campeau, M.L.A. Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education Anti-Bullying Initiative
REPLY FROM AN AMAZING SINGER/SONGWRITER
FROM TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (October 3rd, 2013)
"Thank you Paul - Partly in response to this horrifyingly spate of bullied children taking their own lives, I have applied to volunteer once a week at a youth help centre here. I am also thinking about writing a song for these kids. I've been inspired by your efforts...In hope for a better world, Much love."
REPLY FROM A BEAUTIFUL HEART - SOCIAL WORKER FROM MONTREAL, QUEBEC (September 29th, 2013)
"These gestures of support and advocacy are so integral, Paul. As someone who works daily to advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves and from a personal perspective, as the mom of two little ones, people like you make the world a better place and serve as role models to those who need it the most. Both victims and aggressors. So very necessary. You are truly doing what you were put on this earth to do."
FROM TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (October 3rd, 2013)
"Thank you Paul - Partly in response to this horrifyingly spate of bullied children taking their own lives, I have applied to volunteer once a week at a youth help centre here. I am also thinking about writing a song for these kids. I've been inspired by your efforts...In hope for a better world, Much love."
REPLY FROM A BEAUTIFUL HEART - SOCIAL WORKER FROM MONTREAL, QUEBEC (September 29th, 2013)
"These gestures of support and advocacy are so integral, Paul. As someone who works daily to advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves and from a personal perspective, as the mom of two little ones, people like you make the world a better place and serve as role models to those who need it the most. Both victims and aggressors. So very necessary. You are truly doing what you were put on this earth to do."