Blog Article

Seeing the combination of classical cultural music mixed with dance club culture caused me to sit up, as this is the mix I was naturally hearing in my life growing up but on separate terms! My parents went to India and my father returned with some old LPs of classical Indian ragas which I went through playing on the record player growing up. This was my first experience with music. It just sounded right, and is a music that still affects me deeply today. I also grew up in Oakland, CA where hip-hop was all around me. I loved both music genres, but my friends usually looked at me funny when I put on a raga. It fit for me, but now I can see why it was unfamiliar back then.

The goal with DeviantRhythms was to investigate this technological appropriation (if there was any) of cultural music. Sampling was at an all time high and seemingly no sound was off-limits for a sample to throw into a beat. The result was a self-produced, -directed and -edited glimpse into the Bay Area's blossoming music scene. I was honored and privileged to get great reviews and the reach of support was amazing. Another special shot out to all those who participated, including the late Cheb i Sabbah. RIP!

"From the cultural hotbed of the San Francisco Bay Area's vibrant music scene DeviantRhythms examines technology's impact on tradition and society. Comprised of a documentary and web site, DeviantRhythms incorporates ideas and opinions from a diverse mix of traditional musicians, electronic artists, DJs, radio luminaries, and music educators. In the end, this musical discourse is a rich tapestry of interviews and visually arresting performance sequences that challenge the viewer to question their own ideas about the meaning of art, creativity and culture in a technologically evolving world."

You can watch the 60-minute version of DeviantRhythms online!
There is also a 30-minute version.