Thursday, February 4, 2021
7:30 – 8:30 pm
Virtual Program

Musicians Laraaji and L’Rain, both long champions of NYC’s DIY music scene, represent two distinct voices in the evolution of ambient music. Bang on a Can, BOMB Magazine, and the Jewish Museum present a conversation with Laraaji and L'Rain followed by a live performance by Laraaji.

This program will be fully live and streamed on Bang on a Can’s new online venue-website, live.bangonacan.org. The event will be free to stream but, please consider purchasing a ticket. Doing so will help Bang on a Can and the Jewish Museum to host more performances, pay more players, and share more music worldwide.

About the Performers:

Brooklyn native Taja Cheek is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist who often performs under the mononym, L’Rain. She is interested in exploring the complex interwovenness of grief and joy, using voice memos and other manipulated samples recorded in her hometown as inspiration and source material. Since the release of her self-titled debut in 2017, L’Rain’s work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Pitchfork, and Hyperallergic, and she has performed at institutions and venues including The Whitney, The Getty, and The Kitchen, along with festivals including Basilica Soundscape and FORM Arcosanti.

American multi-instrumentalist Laraaji is one of the pioneers of the new-age and ambient philosophies. In the early 70s, Laraaji lived in New York, admired Eastern mysticism, and performed in parks playing a vintage stringed instrument called a zither. In 1978, Brian Eno saw one of Laraaji’s street performances and helped him record and release an album called “Ambient 3: Day of Radiance.” With more than 40 albums, Laraaji is a true legend of meditative music. His most recent record release is a three-album project of solo piano improvisation entitled “SUN PIANO,” “MOON PIANO,” and “THROUGH LUMINOUS EYES” on ALL SAINTS RECORDS and available online at laraajimusic.bandcamp.com. Laraaji also has traveled the world guiding therapeutic laughter release playshops and deep listening celestial music sessions.

This event will be free to stream but please consider purchasing a ticket. Doing so will help Bang on a Can and the Jewish Museum to host more performances, pay more players, and share more music worldwide.