Leila Adu Record Release
Tickets
Also Performing
O Paradiso
O Paradiso was formed in 2013 by Jacob Bills and Darryl Specht (Former members of Asa Ransom, Death of Fashion).
At times lean and bristling, at others transcendent and rapturous, O Paradiso’s songs are bred from lush, distressed harmonic structures and sharp rhythms interwoven with both colorful and commanding lyrical interjections. The result are taught compositions hinged at
a breaking point of rhythmic grace, electronic experimentation and a raw pioneering rock n’ roll spirit.
With their mesmerizing interactive and visual performances with creative collective Polyphony gaining acclaim in New York City, sharing stages with the likes of Maria Minerva, Light Asylum, Kelsey Lu, Excepter, Young Magic and Psychic Twin, 2014 tours in Europe and U.S., and an ambitious release schedule of multiple vinyl/digital singles throughout 2015 and 2016, O Paradiso is poised to introduce their adventurous new sound and performances to ever widening audiences.
Nico Turner
As a contributor to the rise of experimental music in Los Angeles, multi-instrumentalist, Nico Turner, first became known in the underground music scene with her band VOICEsVOICEs and has played with such notable musicians as Brightblack Morning Light, Prefuse 73, Vincent Gallo, and most recently Cat Power. Her music is an atmospheric, seductive, unconventional and ambient experience. It is used to break away from familiar forms, to defy what’s been taught, and to challenge what is readily known. The result is hauntingly beautiful soundscapes. Expect your subconscious to be electroshocked by this unique talent.
About the Artist
Wednesday, June 29th 7pm
The Love Cells EP release features a special visual and sonic collaboration with O Paradiso (former members of Asa Ransom, Death of Fashion) & Nico Turner (Cat Power, VOICEsVOICEs).
Belts and Whistles proudly presents the release of Love Cells, Leila Adu’s partner EP to her recent release Scary Love Monster. Where Scary Love Monster warns of the perils of love in Grimm’s fashion, Love Cells speaks from the mundane 9-5 romantic love to the most abstract forms of love. The title track Love Cells signifies that we are all created out of vibration, light and love: “love yourself, each sacred atom of the world is connected to you.” From the intimate laptop recording moments of a cappella Je T’aime… to afrofuturist The City and the Voodoo Lady, a tribute to the city of New York and Mingus’ The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady… to the perverse post-colonial love of Horror in Black and White: “Did I bomb your village? Could I set you free?”
Leila Adu has released four acclaimed albums including, ‘Dark Joan,’ recorded by Steve Albini and ‘Ode to the Unknown Factory Worker’ produced for the Italian National Radio. London’s ‘Time Out’ called her music, ‘Avante-garde pop that recalls Nina Simone and Tim Buckley” and reviewers have placed her in an arena with other female icons such as Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey, Micachu and Esperanza Spalding. Leila is a New Zealand composer of Ghanaian descent who has composed for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Brentano String Quartet, So Percussion, Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Orchestra Wellington. Based in Brooklyn, she is a currently a Princeton doctoral fellow and also teaches music to prisoners at Sing Sing Correctional Facility as a faculty member of Musicambia – music for social change. With a “voice like hot treacle on broken glass,” she has performed her original piano songs and improvisations alongside international artists, at festivals and venues in the UK, mainland Europe, the US, Russia, Ghana and Asia. Leila Adu has been voted as MTV Iggy’s Artist of the Week, performed on the BBC World Service, composed, produced a short-film and documentary soundtrack with screenings on BBC Knowledge TV channel and the NZ Film Festival and performed with Luscious Jackson on ‘MTV VH1’ and ‘Late Night with David Letterman.’
After four studio releases The LOVE EPs are intimate, mostly self-produced, with the help of gear from friends and extra production from London dance producer Alex Morris in London and New Zealand drummer/producer, Riki Gooch and final-mixing in New Zealand.
Other In Situ Events
In Situ: Norman Krieger
In Situ: Martin Creed and His Band
In Situ: Journey LIVE
The Revolution Vol. 5
In Situ: John Paul White + The Secret Sisters
Chris Grymes and Open G Records Present: In Celebration of Steven Stucky
In Situ: Third Sound
Jazztopad Festival Presents: Lutosławski Quartet & Uri Caine
In Situ: Francesca dePasquale
In Situ: Joel Harrison & Infinite Possibility
Irving M. Klein International String Competition Winners: A California Road Trip
This concert features past winners of the acclaimed Irving M. Klein International String Competition which, since 1986, has helped to launch the careers of aspiring young string players, including many of today's most prominent soloists and orchestral players. Based in San Francisco, the Klein Competition is held each June at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
