I’ll be undertaking a solo US tour from Sept 25-30th as shown below. I’ll be conducting workshops and masterclasses on the “Intersection of Music-technology, Improvisation and Global-rhythms.’ I’ll be artist-in-residence at Champlain College for a full day where I’ll also collaborate with students to create new electro-acoustic works for a culminating performance. In addition to the workshops, I’ll also perform with the esteemed faculty of Susie Ibarra and Michael Wimberly at Bennington College VT and share a bill with Visitors Trio (featuring Jeff Davis) at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, RI.
New Solo Video produced by Four|Ten Media
[Filmed by Four/Ten Media in Philadelphia on Aug 14, 2018]
New Orleans Airlift: Porchlife (in Coney Island on Aug 4th)
STOMP meets electronic dance music.. TurningJewelsIntoWater got to play the porch set up by New Orleans Airlift on Saturday, Aug. 4th. While we didn’t get to play all the structures, this is what was available for us:
“Strings are set along the first set of the railing. One side are bass strings, the other guitar strings. These are all tunable. The house is tuned to D Major, so these are tuned to harmonize with the rest of the house. There are loop pedals on each side (one for bass and one for guitar). You can create a bass loop, and then add to it by using the pedals located at the other instruments.
On the first landing there are a set of large chimes. To the left is a device designed by Quintron that “plays” the weather via sensors and synthesizers. It emits a drone that can be manipulated via the dials on the panel. To the right, there is a porch swing that acts as a “metronome”. As it moves back and forth it activates a striker positioned inside of a wood block.
The steps to the second level have MIDI triggers that play percussion samples. Two panels in the wall also have triggers. Drums, cymbals, and 808s. These can be played using feet and hands, or they can be played with mallets to give you a little more control.
The second level has a marimba railing (n.b. this instrument sounds best when you strike the edge of the bar, unlike the traditional instrument that sounds best when played in the center of the bar). D maj. The marimba has a loop pedal and a delay pedal rigged to it. To the left of that is a PVC tube xylophone.
There is a door at the highest level with handbells, again it has the notes of a D major scale, though they aren’t arranged in scale order. There are also jingle bells attached to the lower half of the door.”
EP Release at Nublu, NYC, June 11, 2018
Looking forward to the EP release of Which Way is Home? (FPE Records) at Nublu, NYC, (presented by LPR) in a double-bill with the great Nicole Mitchell and Christina Wheeler.
Bang on a Can Marathon 2018
We’d been honored to have been invited to perform at this years’ Bang on a Can Marathon on May 13 at NYU Skirball, which included the legendary Terry Riley, as well as artists such as Mazz Swift, Ethel Quartet, Xenia Rubinos, Stephin Merritt, et al.
Turning Jewels Into Water: Spring European Tour 2018
Our debut tour takes us through Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia, Switzerland and Italy. We perform at festivals, concert halls, clubs, outdoor spaces and cultural centers alike. Looking forward to making new friends and fans alike!
Record Label Signing and Beyond
I just signed with FPE Records to bring TurningJewelsIntoWater into the world. Honored to share the roster with Debo Band (who’s “Ethiopiques” influences are among some of my all time fave life-changing records), Nicole M. Mitchell (who’s ‘Mandorla Awakening’ slayed Top 10/2017 charts across the board, and channeled the AACM “ancient to the future’ practice in earnest) and other equally dope genre-bending artists.
Even to get to this starting point, it’s a community effort. Big thanks to my partner Larisa Mann for continuing to have faith in my music, for the incredible talents of Val Jeanty, for Pioneer Works for giving me the space to experiment and create this project, my cousin/ uber producer Alap Momin , for Tristra Newyear Yeager (Rock.Paper.Scissors) for making the intro, and ofcourse to FPE Records, for offering up a ‘turnkey’ operation, from producing vinyl to working as our booking agent. Taking nothing for granted.
Cover art/design by Pana Li (Diana Castro)
New Project: Turning Jewels Into Water
The Intersection of Ritual, Improvisation, Global Rhythms and Music-Technology
This new project with composer/ percussionist/turntablist Val Jeanty arose from her participation in a jam session at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, NY while Momin was artist-in-residence there in September of 2017. Their collaboration, rooted in improvisation shaped by ritual, evokes the esoteric realms of the creative subconscious. Drawing from the voodoo religion, Val recreates the ancient rhythm and pulse of Haiti through digital beats, while Momin, whose own musical background is rooted Indian, North African and Middle-eastern traditions, has developed an original blend of electro-acoustic beats, drawing together the improvisational traditions in Jazz and South Indian classical music. Together they explore the capabilities of new technologies to create a seamless blend of multiple electronic and acoustic instruments.
Tarana at Threes Brewing, Brooklyn, NY on Nov 5, 2017
I put together a diverse bill for this event. Los Aliens is led by pianist Ricardo Gallo and draws inspiration from Cumbia, Champeta, Jazz and beyond, while exploring new electronic sounds as well. Holy Hand Grenade is led by multi-reedist Lynn Ligamari and brings together a joyous blend of Funk, Afrobeat, Jazz and R&B grooves. Claudia Prat created a live visual set for Tarana for this event.
Tarana Tour of Asia October 2017
We’re performing at a broad range of events, undertaking community-based workshops and collaborating with local musicians as well.. can’t wait!!!
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Oct 13 LaSalle College (workshop/afternoon), Singapore
Oct 13 Artistry Space (evening), Singapore (presented by Ujikaji Records) with special guest Timothy O’Dwyer
Oct 14 Raw Space (workshop/afternoon), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Oct 14 FONO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (presented by Public School/Resonance)
Oct 15 LiveFact, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (presented by Soundscape KL)
Oct 16 Radio Brava (afternoon), Jakarta, Indonesia
Oct 17 Sjuman School of Music(workshop/afternoon),, Jakarta, Indonesia
Oct 18 Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (presented by YesNoWave)
Oct 20 Bandung Digital Arts Festival (BIDAF), Bandung, Indonesia
Oct 21 @America, Jakarta, Indonesia (US Embassy sponsored/presented by ChicoIraAsa Productions) with special guest Reza Ryan
Oct 22 Reyog Jazz Festival, East Java, Indonesia