CANADIAN 
It is mind boggling just how much new music is released daily in this country, let alone how much this amounts to globally. In the digital world, these borders have become pretty much redundant, with music travelling faster than most other forms of art due to the sheer immediate accessibility. We can never keep up. Some folks suffer new music burnout, while many folks have even stopped trying to keep up altogether. We pride ourselves in being one of the channels through which readers can find new music that is worthy of your attention and to learn more about the artists who are making it.
Today we present you the new single – the first we’ve actually heard in fact – from a duo called Shrinari, a duo consisting of British vocalist / harpist Lucidia Omamori and Spanish multi-instrumentalist Rafael Marchante Angulo. ‘The Gift’ is the lead track from what is ultimately their debut album ‘Hold On To The Hope, Though’, although the duo have been around for a few years. Best known on the British spiritual music scene, the duo also tour internationally. Their music offers a harmonious blend of harp, guitar and vocals and generally has a devotional element with a pop vibe.
‘The Gift’ sees a clear and strong earthy and believable delivery with a minimalistic song framework. The sparse drum beat, impactful synth-line and involvement of a choir accent this notably soulful and well-orchestrated track. This is somewhat reminiscent of Jewel and Shawn Colvin. Maggie Reilly’s voice on Mike Oldfield’s ‘Moonlight Shadow’ also comes to mind.
‘The Gift’ offers. a message of hope, unity and connection. Lucidia Omamori says: “This song was born after a local walk, in which we discovered a hollow oak that had been used as a litter bin and set on fire. It’s a contemplation about what was lacking in people’s lives that they would feel such an absence of connection to the natural environment that they would treat it with such disregard. My intention was to inspire the awareness of the need to respect and protect our Earth Mother and all living beings.”
Shrinari are committed to making music that brings hope, fuels a positive outlook on life, and promotes ecological and spiritual awareness, translating into song the many stages and phases of the human experience. With ‘The Gift’ single, Shrinari continue their transcendent adventure in consciousness and celebration of love and life through the synergy of sound and song.
“This moment in time feels like a crucial point. We’re in the middle of a bridge we’re crossing between what we have been and what we will become. This album is a bridge as well between many aspects: the personal and the collective, the ancestral and the contemporary, the magical and the mundane, logic and intuition, fear and trust, etc,” says Rafael Marchante Angulo.
“These lyrics depict personal and profound moments of exploration and discovery in my inner and outer journey, articulating my process of understanding my inner conflicts, integrating the effect of witnessing and contributing to the destruction of this planet we have been gifted. This is a reminder to ourselves and others to hold on to the hope, to perceive and to experience beauty where it still dwells, and to take action to shift the balance in a positive direction for the future generations. A reminder to honour all the teachings we have received along the way on our diverse path of spiritual searching, philosophical understanding and to show up with deep conviction to love this planet and preserve the beauty for all life as a result of clarity I have received in moments of realisation,” says Lucidia Omamori.
As of October 13, ‘The Gift’ will be available across online stores, such as Spotify andApple Music. The full album ‘Hold Onto The Hope, Though’ will be released on November 24 and can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp at https://shrinari.bandcamp.com/album/hold-on-to-the-hope-though This single, as well as the song ‘Desert Path’, are being offered as an instant grat download upon purchase. A percentage of profits from this album and all of the duo’s music goes to support projects to protect the earth and indigenous people living in accordance with nature.
ALBUM CREDITS
All lyrics written by Lucidia Omamori
Music written by Lucidia Omamori and Rafael Marchante Angulo
Melody to ‘Standing Rock’ co-written by Heren Wolf and Basma Jabbar
Cello for ‘New Light’ and ‘The Gift’ recorded by Asha McCarthy.
Viola for ‘The Gift’ recorded by Jocelyn Pook
All horns recorded by Idris Rahman
All songs produced, recorded and mixed by Rafael Marchante Angulo and co-produced by Lucidia Omamori
Vocals, guitar, cello and violin for ‘Soul Calling’ recorded at Iguana Studios by Jagannatha Suta
Mastered by Andy Hippy at Metropolis Studios in London
Photography and single covers by Jethro Tanner
Album cover by Vessi Ves Photography featuring artwork of Nick Mindscapes
‘The Gift’ cover photograph by Kai Ohio
TRACK LIST
01. New Light
02. Ancestral Fire
03. Desert Path
04. Reminisce
05. Standing Rock
06. Listen Up
07. Soul Calling
08. The Gift
Follow, support and fan out over Shrinari
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