Lila's Medicine

Lila’s Medicine began in Fall 2003 as duo.
Electronic music wizard Bill Sarver and keyboardist / vocal siren Laura Scarborough met through the Austin music community. They both had a desire to create new music with sweet electronic production / beats / samples / stacks of keys / synths / soundscapes – atopped with strong, expressive female vocals.

Bill Sarver (aka Bildeaux / founding member of OHN) had been creating digital music for over 16 years and completed a University of Texas degree in electronic music composition. After touring with numerous bands, he moved his focus towards production, remixing, developing his instrumental band OHN, and composing soundtracks. He was also seeking a female vocalist to work with.

Laura Scarborough, a classically trained pianist that moved into the improvisational / songwriting / singing world, had been developing her solo career since 1998. After releasing two records, leading a band, touring nationally and internationally, composing music for dancers, producing multi-media events and more, she found herself wanting to write more music in the electronic genre. Bill Sarver was the perfect partner in crime.

They began creating music together and performing regularly at a local Middle Eastern restaurant. Much of the early material was very improvisational and incorporated worldly percussion sounds / samples. Bill would trigger beats via his laptop and midi controllers, while Laura played synth bass, keyboards and sang. From warm, sultry passages to powerful bends, vibratos, and shrieks, Laura would combine her passionate vocal stylings with the use of vocal delays, slicers, and other effects – creating an intense, distinctive style.

They continued to develop, and bassist/horn extraordinaire Brad Houser heard a CD of a live performance. He loved the material and asked to join on. Playing bass for 23 years, 33 years on saxophone, founding member of New Bohemians (1984), member of Seattle’s Critters Buggin’ and Black Frames, Houser is one of Texas’s finest sought after bass players. Bill and Laura were honored, and Lila’s Medicine began to further evolve.

They began performing as trio in larger venues and took part the successful Art of Synthesis Audio/Video Showcase presented in Austin Dec 2003. Video projectionist / visual guru Rob Hybrid (Dreamscope Visuals) joined them for this event and since has continued to work with Lila’s Medicine at larger club events projecting his ethereal, psychedelic video / live cam trans-creations on stage.

In January 2004, the band was graced by the phenomenal drumming power of Brannen Temple. Drumming professionally since 1988, Brannen has shared the stages with the likes of Sheena Easton, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Patrice Rushen, and Eric Johnson. With the addition of Temple, Lila’s became a full unit and has been captivating audiences fortunate enough to catch this world class act.

In Spring 2004, the band continued to receive more attention. Although only 3 studio tracks were completed, four different video producers chose Lila’s Medicine as their music video subjects. The band was invited to perform in the US Virgin Islands and completed a successful tour there in February 2004. They were also invited to perform in Spain, and are planning to tour there in October 2004.

With Houser’s horn madness & solid round bass tone – Sarver’s square-pusher-ish energy, tweeks and bleeps – Brannen’s sickly tight drum mastery and Laura’s voice atop the modern de-arranged keyboards, beats, and stacks of texture reminds one of artists like Bjork, Portishead, Morcheeba, Goldfrapp, Moloko, Thievery Corporation, and others – where an original female voice mixed in progressive, rich sound has seduced many listeners. This band has infectious energy and unique, masterful style that is sure wet the palates of those hungry for a fresh music.

Currently, Lila’s Medicine is in the process of recording and mixing songs for a first release. Three tracks are currently available for online download and a short trailer video segment is available via the website.