a freestyle mash of ancient and future, east & west, north & south, soulful, connective, organic and electronic, vocal & instrumental dance music that is rooted in tradition & embraces innovation
Musician, DJ, Remixer and BBoy Eric Vani (a.k.a. Rise Ashen, a.k.a. Rough N Ready) has devoted his life to the study of sound and movement. From his early years as a bboy in Montreal in the late 80's to his studies at Fanshawe College (North America's Oldest Recording School) and the Banff Centre for the Arts, Eric's focus has been on applying hi-fi knowhow to underground music. His record collection spans Rai, Ancient Music, Traditional and Popular African, South American and Asian music, with NUJAZZ as is his primary focus. As a DJ, he blends it all in a worldy mash and is always the sweaty and dynamic life of the party. He has remixed Bebel Gilberto and Duke Ellington, has collaborated with Juno award winner Miguel Graca, Fred Everything, Trevor Walker, Blissom and Teknostep among others and his music has appeared on the compilations of renowned DJs like Rainer Truby and Roger Sanchez, and has been played by the likes of Masters at Work, Gilles Peterson, Maurice Fulton, Bonobo, 0db, Jimpster and Ted Patterson. You can check out his releases on Afroart, Gotsoul, Dub Fu and Defected among many others (he has about 35 12 inches out now and 7 artist CDs, not to mention countless mixed CDs and a few CBC radio shows called A NU JAZZ ORDER). He believes music and dance are essential to human culture and that united, artists can lead humanity towards a more enlightened way of living. "We need to make a shift towards long-term thinking"
Feed the Homelesss 5. The event was a huge success, thanks in large part to our Myspace friends helping to get the word out!
A near record crowd enjoyed amazing sets by Jill Zmud, Huntley Slim, and Arms of the Girl .
There was a well attended fun after party with Legendary Zaphod's DJ's Kerri and Arun... Cody Doby Much of Music VJ Contest fame, did a brillant job as MC.
Rise Ashen - real quick message - cause we're in town.
This Saturday we're in Ottawa - playing @ Zaphod Beeblebrox. We're opening for The Brandon Paris Band (fantastic rock group from Vancouver, you may have seen their videos on Muchmusic etc.)
We're on at 9pm sharp, they're on at 10! :) It would be cool to come on out!
With your permission, here's my latest vinyl out in the best shops, supported by the likes of Tes La Rok, MA Hobbs, Whiteboi, BunZer0 and many more. Click the picture to check it, thanks!
We're now accepting submissions for our next mixtapes, please submit your info at www. coast2coastsubmissions. com for your chance to get a spot on the next mixtape!
just a whisper to our local friends to say we'll be introducing you to our new drummer online in January and that we have started booking '09 shows. hope we hit/share a stage near you. the fun starts at the elMo Feb 5th.
just dropping by to say hi. we got a couple of Ontario shows coming up in Kingston and Toronto at the end of the month. new tracks will be up in a few weeks too.
Be Sweet or Die Tryin'. -d (Toronto gig is free and Kingston is for a good cause. hope to see you there)
