Ireesh Lal is a multi-instrumentalist and programmer whose debut solo EP- ETHNOTRONICA - combines original electronic music with exotic East Indian elements alongside the distinctly Western tones of the jazz trumpet, creating a captivating new sound. Currently based in Hermosa Beach, CA, Lal sites Thievery Corporation, Miles Davis, and Ravi Shankar as three of his influences, and you can hear traces of each artist on his newest release. All the tracks are streaming here and here!
Notable tracks from the EP include, "ElectroLounge", the opening number that begins with an aggressive, driving bass line immediately drawing the listener in. After layering an electronic dance beat with multiple synths, oud and tabla, Lal showcases the trumpet, playing the theme and improvising a solo later in the song. "Spirits" is built on top of a brisk programmed groove made irresistible with lush Eastern dimensions of tablas, ouds, and guitars. Lal lays down a commanding trumpet line to convey the melody, taking the lead amongst the cool, heady swirl of the tune. The trumpet steps back around the halfway mark, as the flute-like bansuri takes center stage for an incredible solo. "Shooting Star" is the final track on ETHNOTRONICA, showcasing Lal's natural tendency to write in a melodic fashion. All the while, the ballad contains instrumentation that is beautiful and fascinating without a dull moment to be found as the song and EP ends with a virtuosic solo featuring the oud.
The video for ETHNOTRONICA is taken from a web series called Artronika which features performance art videos set to an eclectic mix of music from around the world. Legendary LA artist, Norton Wisdom, paints to Lal's music on a wet-erase board, and we watch as he continuously alters the canvas, creating picture after picture, one into the next, with great detail and otherworldly ease. Lal's soundtrack lends a sense of magic to the affair. Between Wisdom and Lal, there is an almost overwhelming amount of creativity exploding from each video.
Ireesh Lal is also a member of LA-based trio, Lal Meri. His debut release with the band on Six Degrees Records (2009) received positive critical acclaim, including a feature on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Public Radio International's The World. Influential radio station, KCRW, also invited the group to perform live on its program,
Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Tracklisting:
ElectroLounge
Liftoff
Haunted
Novacane
Spirits
Shooting Star
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