Rock at the Rock, Chaos and Clatter, Amazing Times.

Hey All!

Sorry it's been a little while since I've updated my personal blog. Between writing for Collegedj, working at WNUR as outreach chair, getting the freshmen revved up by planning events for Niteskool, and fitting in class somewhere it's been a pretty hectic few weeks back in Chicago.

Despite the chaos, I've managed to write a bunch of new songs that I can't wait to play with The Cables during our first reunited band practice this coming Monday! Bass major and a great friend of mine, Andy Henley will be filling in for Nic Park while he's abroad in New Zealand (lucky duck!)

The Cables will be playing along with Brandon Daley, The Aurelia Trio, and Fuzzy Moon at Niteskool's first event of the year, Rock at the Rock! If you haven't checked out Daley's mixtape yet, I sincerely recommend it. Come check us all out on October 6th on the Northwestern Campus at Rock at the Rock!

For now, I won't reveal the new songs I've written (mostly because they haven't been recorded yet--even in a lo-fi environment.

For now, enjoy this crazy little cover of Radiohead's "Creep" that I did over the summer:

Oh, and a crazy experimental electronic project I did called, "Playing By Ear":

Playing By Ear by karaalimusic

Peace.Love.Music

Kara Ali

The Cables, A Battle To Remember, and Upcoming Gigs

Hey Everyone!

As some of you may or may not know, in addition to reporting on new and interesting musicians and shows that I have seen, I am a solo artist with my own music up on Bandcamp. As a current college student, I sometimes find it hard to balance my own music with school work and with my sound design projects, which incorporate a different type of composition. However, recently I have formed a new band called The Cables. Individually, we are James Clemer on lead guitar, Luis Pineiro on Drums, Nic Park on Bass and Ursula Ellis on Vocals in addition to myself on vocals and guitar. This new collective project has afforded me the opportunity to bring new life to my solo work, and share it with some amazing musician friends of mine. It will also, hopefully provide a forum in the future for further collaboration.

Our first live show was this past Thursday at Tommy Nevin's Pub at the Mayfest Battle of the Bands. Despite the fact that we were beat out by whysowhite, an awesome funk/hip-hop/soul fusion who will now get to play on Dillo Day, our new project was given a great write up and review in North By Northwestern, as well as the opportunity to play another gig this Friday on campus on the Norris South Lawn for the Niteskool Music Artist Showcase alongside artists Kelsey Wild, MORI and the Moonwalkers, Aurelia, and Fuzzy Moon.

Let this be the second of many gigs I have the fortune of playing with this group.

Peace.Love.Music.

Kara Ali

The Aurelia Trio!

Hey All!

Sorry that I haven't blogged in a while! Between sound designing for some shows, mixing sound for some student films, and rehearsing with my new band, I have been a VERY busy bee.

Having said that, over the past few days I have had the fortune of hearing awesome music from some amazing artists right here on the Northwestern University campus! This past weekend, I attended a house party just one floor below my own apartment, where The Aurelia Trio, consisting of Sasha Bayan on guitar and vocals, Sam Suggs on bass and Alex Hunt on percussion provided entertainment for a good hour and a half, doing gentle covers and originals to make for a wonderful house party mood. Pulled right from their bio:

"Aurelia bridges the gap between sophistication and accessibility. At once stimulating, innovative and elegant, the music of Aurelia blends together the powerful sonic traditions of classical, jazz, Brazil, and flamenco into an irresistible mix of sounds that draws in listeners from all cultural backdrops. The sweet breaths of bass, the alluring tones of guitar, the driving pulsation of percussion, and the lyrical vocal lines of three professionals come together to create music for a growing world wholse cultural and musical boundaries are no longer defined by borders. Both intelligent and straightforward, the music of Aurelia is just what listeners have been looking for."

These musicians, indeed, are professionals, each finishing up their studies at the Bienen School of Music here at NU. I have had the fortune to know both Sasha and Sam since my freshman year, where we all lived in the same dorm. I was always impressed with Sam's upright bass and his suave mannerisms. Likewise, Sasha is a natural charmer with his classical guitar. Having recently released a solo album, "Call the Doctor", his knack for writing music that spans the World, Jazz and Classical genres is abundantly clear. Additionally, his adherence to the Baha'i faith gives him a unique, almost mystical perspective on the world that allows for interesting musical inspiration. Interestingly enough, one of only 7 Baha'i temples in the whole world is located in Wilmette, IL--conveniently within walking or biking distance from the Northwestern Campus.

Since meeting the band in late winter, I have been delighted to see them pop up routinely around campus whether it be at house gigs, Art Showcases, or fundraising events. I am looking forward to following them and anticipating a release in the near future.

Peace.Love.Music

Kara Ali