MONO Y BANANA: my friend Leo and I have had an electronic music band (Mono y Banana) in Lima, Peru since 2008. As he recently became a devotee of Krishna, he has become Sri Gopal and has begun to play devotional Hare Krishna music. He taught me this piece, which I enjoyed learning because I recently started studying Indian music as well, in California. We integrated some synthesizers into it. Here we are playing Maha Mantra live at the Janmastami (Krishna's Birthday) celebration at the Eco Truly Ashram in Chancay, Peru in August 2011. I am playing harmonium and singing and Leo is on synth, drums and vocals as well. This is the first time I have ever played at a spiritual ceremony like this. We narrowly avoided being trampled by a rush of devotees at the end of this recording because they were all going up to the altar, it was quite an intense experience! :) xoxoxo

Mono y Banana - Maha Mantra

a freeform vocal journey inspired by the Occupy Movement

Occupy Everywhere, Including the Ears

june tune for y'all. Work-in-progress inspired by Southern music. I just wrote this song on piano and I am adapting the vocals and lyrics for a different project with a German electronic music producer.

Thumbnail art by Adida Fallen Angel. http://www.adidafallenangel.com/

All That They Said About You (Demo)

"At the Seams" - Cesar Merveille + Ryan Crosson, featuring vocals by Banana Lazuli. 

This track will be released on DRM part 2, the new album by MERVEILLE & CROSSON, coming out in October 2012 on Visionquest Music (VQ017)

Check out the details here:
http://aboveboarddist.co.uk/visionquest/VQ017
"...the rustling of cymbals and echoed keys formulate a hypnotic rhythm on 'At The Seams'. The Bjork-esque vocals of Banana Lazuli subtly resound like a spiritual calling and the otherworldly journey continues as piano hits that would make Keith Jarrett proud ripple through the core of the piece. A kick drum is not required for this deeply emotive soundscape, which instead explores the sonic realms of higher frequencies."


"At the Seams" - MERVEILLE & CROSSON ft Banana Lazuli (TEASER)

For CAPSICUM Nov 2012: Work-in-progress performed live by Banana Lazuli with guest vocalist Toni Tronu... and percussion by the audience! 
Recorded in Greensboro, North Carolina. Happy Day of the Dead!

Translation of Spanish lyrics: 
I had a weird dream... of animals in another world... there were dogs and cats. By bicycle, they went to work.... OUUUUUU barked the dog, because he hates his job.... MIIIIAAAAOOUUUU cried the cat, because his paycheck sucks. WE ARE HUNGRY! TIME FOR LUNCH! Cloud soup, and worm juice. It's so yummy! It's so yummy! (X2). The crocodiles are the kings; they have all the money... With their huge teeth, that's how they eat the dogs. OUUUUUU barked the dog, because he hates his job.... MIIIIAAAAOOUUUU cried the cat, because his paycheck sucks. WE ARE HUNGRY! TIME FOR LUNCH! Cloud soup, and crocodile puree. It's so yummy! It's so yummy! (X2)

:)

Animales (live)

a little sonic exploration of a space cathedral (december 2010, Berkeley, copyright Banana Lazuli)

Space Cathedrals

a social commentary on the Wikileaks saga, and a tentative hommage to Julian Assange

Wikileaks Song

Musician, singer, explorer, cultural hybrid. Inspired by dreams, cats & spiders to create Cosmic Pop. New EP coming soon on Visionquest Music. 

Banana Lazuli is a Canadian-Peruvian composer and performer from Montreal, now residing in North Carolina. She uses vocal loops, synthesizers, piano, harmonium as well as hand-held gadgets to create lush sound-scapes and poetic song narratives. 

Banana Lazuli

Popular tracks