This podcast is an attempt to express the many directions of BlaQueer sounds. But more so, it's about locating conversations I wanted to have with myself and other people of African descent who may have similar questions and needs to validate the complexities of the realities we live in as intertwined and intricate as they may be. It's also about envisioning what languages and mediums we can use to express ourselves and how we convey that knowledge.

The Journey- Ep. 1

AR096DD
SERALEEZ "Shut Up"
digital single
release date: 02. September 2016

video: https://youtu.be/poIB4t5G5bk

Shut Up is about generational conflict within societies. It's about old tradition vs. new tradition. It's about the conflict that occurs when the process of change begins. It's about the challenge of listening to one another and knowing when to speak up or ... shut up!

Shut Up

SERALEEZ "Shut Up"

Peace (J Schleia RMX)

Liquid Love

03 - Kurifuna

Voice & cello - Aliya Ultan 
Alto Saxophone - Nathan Reider
Tenor Saxophone - Birsa Chaterjee
Electric guitars - Henry Nelson, Mohit Dubey
Bass - Matthew Frerck 
and The Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble 

Program Notes: 
Over the past three months, I have been studying the ways in which a mass of animals, insects or humans behave in relation to a threat. A common tendency is for self serving individuals to move as closely as possible to the center of a fleeing group in order to find protection. In the case of a herd, an alignment of the thoughts and behaviors cause each member of the group to continuously follow without centralized coordination.

Through this research, I have become increasingly more interested in exploring how uncoordinated individual behavior can be perceived as collective consciousness. The hybrid ensemble of Powder Prayer for Shadow Planet is one of the ways in which I grapple with various states of collective being. Through superimposing different notational systems, the score itself is an immersive web of perception. A diverse collection of musical languages are incorporated to initiate dialogue across disciplines as well as discrepancies in “togetherness”. 

On the surface, the narrative of Powder Prayer follows the voice of an individual through various landscapes. However, it is my intention as the soloist of this piece to evoke a shapeshifting quality by sifting through a multitude of textures. Each of these textures exist within a spectrum of densities reflecting that of a city or natural environment. The weaving together of both literal and abstract soundscapes leads the listener and all participating musicians to the notion of a prayer. 
 
-Aliya Ultan

Powder Prayer For Shadow Planet (live recording)

What's Good, Good People!

Keep the positive vibes flowing all day with new music from the talented Natalie Greffel, illustrative poet Kinetik, and the highly entertaining Speakeasē. 

Don't forget to check out Lab Notes on IGTV and Youtube:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiAjZJANhQ/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb4S5AUJ6CQ&list=PLfhqhhHnC5eeFZbrSPr4CK6Jdx5bpeG-u&index=3&t=0s

Grab the music from today's show: 

Natalie Greffel
https://nataliegreffel.bandcamp.com/

Kinetik x Soulseize
https://illect.bandcamp.com/album/n-i-c-e

Speakeasē
https://speakease.band/

Live in the Lab

Idealistic Jawns: Natalie Greffel - Kinetik x Soulseize - Speakeasē

MUSICIAN // SONGWRITER
NATALIE GREFFEL

Natalie Greffel is a Berlin based vocalist, instrumentalist, composer and arranger. She is known for her work with various projects as well as her stylistic flexibility.  As a first generation musician she started pursuing her professional career after moving to Berlin in 2010.

The Journey- Ep. 1

Natalie Greffel

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