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Born in Israel, Of American Parents, Avital Raz has studied at The Rubin Academy Of Music and also lived in India learning classical Indian song (Druphad) with Master Ritwik Sanyal. All these influences can be heard in her debut EP, a shimmering, dream-like collection containing six beautiful, enchanting and utterly compelling songs that demand attention.
There are shades of many of the current crop of female folk artists to be found In opening track “Migraine In Katmandu”, but these are fleeting thoughts, the music defiantly her own, a drifting meditation that is beautifully crafted and arranged, with the floating Bansuri lines, the final flourish. Even gentler is “Weep”, ghostly notes, supporting fragile vocals, the lyrics based on 16th C poetry, the whole piece a breath of wind on a still day. Third track “Migraine In Jerusalem”, seems to relate directly to that experience, a sad lament that is filled with love, trying to banish the pain through song.
Seemingly about the fact that you can’t choose who you fall in love with, the title track is undoubtedly the finest track on the disc. Here, the different cultural strands are bought together into a droning and emotional whole, the song weaving its magic deep inside you, the lyrics perfectly matched by the music, the tension slowly building as the song progresses.
After this intense piece, “In You” is a gentle spiritual love song that barely exists, whilst final track “All Pains” seems to seek nirvana through oblivion, the cessation of all things leaving only the truth.
A review by Simon Lewis of Terrascopeonline.
- Terrascope Online, Simon Lewis (UK)
Discography
"Oh, Isabel" single released January 28th 2013 on Sotones records.
"Sad Songs About The End Of Love" -(James Joyce album)
"Skin & Feathers" EP
"Strange Love Songs" EP
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Bio
Classically trained in both Western and Indian musical traditions, Avital Raz commands many styles and genres, and has been performing her own songs for seven years now. Raised in Jerusalem and the US, she has performed in Israel, Germany, the UK , India and California.
Quirky, personal and often barbed, her songs are moving and surprising, her voice distinctive and astonishing. Described in the music press as ‘experimental folk’ (Blank Media Pages), Avital’s music also embraces blues and gospel.
Her EPs, Strange Love Songs (‘utterly compelling songs that demand attention' – Terrascope magazine) and Skin & Feathers ("somewhat like Dory Previn (but much better)"- Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange), only begin to hint at her range and breadth of vision. Her album Sad Songs About The End Of Love sets a James Joyce poem cycle to original music with Indian instruments.
Now Avital has returned to the UK with a quiver of new songs, personal, political and satirical, ready to fire into the hearts and minds of audiences. These include the new single ‘Oh Isabel’, from the forthcoming album Infidelity. To assist her in the task, she has assembled a brand new live band: The Chosen Ones. Those who have seen her solo performances will certainly want to experience this new incarnation of Avital Raz, full of inventive musical energy and subversive black humour. Those who have never seen her play live, are in for a spellbinding experience.
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