Episode 29- Paul Masvidal (Cynic) with Christina Tobin

Free & Equal Network Podcast with Christina Tobin

On March 20, 2014 Christina Tobin interviewed Paul Masvidal, guitarist and vocalist with progressive metal band Cynic, who will be performing at Free & Equal's United We Stand Festival May 10th at UCLA. Masvidal formed Cynic as a young teen in the late '80s in Florida; was recruited by the late Chuck Schuldiner to play guitar with Death in 1991; released the first Cynic record in 1993, and broke up after several years; Masvidal went on to attend UCLA, Musicians Institute; he studied jazz, worked in television and film, released an album with a folkgroup, Æon Spoke. He regrouped with Cynic in 2008, releasing four albums in five years. He talks about how important it is to have integrity and follow your heart in your work, how Frank Zappa went up against the government on music censorship, how big Pharma is keeping people sick instead of searching for cures, and how he worked with Jim Carrey on a children’s book, How Roland Rolls. Discussing the spiritual path of Cynic’s music (Paul is a Buddhist), he observes that “Everything that we think is working against us is actually a tool to help us grow.” Masvidal discusses his volunteer work with terminally ill people, helping them cope, how rewarding it is to “be of service to the planet and to your fellow humans.” Christina Tobin urges listeners to visit CynicOnline.com. “The more we support his music the more he can give back to the community.”