Raw Silk blends classical sitar, electric cello, Indian vocals and experimental electronics into a long-form head massage. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Alexa Richardson (cello) and Ami Dang (sitar, voice, electronics) started making music together as part of living room jam sessions and eventually realized that their sonic interests couldn't be better matched: they both push the envelope of their classically-trained upbringings through string instruments (that surprisingly complement one another) and east-meets-west structured improvisations. Sharing a matched affinity for classical, experimental, pop and global sonic palettes, they have continued to challenge one another's musical limits with an exploration of instrument and genre. The result is work that takes the form of 5-to-15-minute jams that are never repeated twice yet with recurring themes, melodies, beats, and ragas: the sound tantalizes and invigorates the ears, body, and soul. In this debut album, Raw Silk presents five pieces that create a rich and complementary dialogue. Cello and sitar discuss, get heated, grab wrists, and twirl wildly over an electronic landscape of textures. Ami Dang's exquisite vocals interweave throughout--pining, cerebral and commanding. Raw Silk has shared bills with Future Islands, Flock of Dimes (aka Jenn Wasner from Wye Oak), The Sun Ra Arkestra, Prince Rama, and Dan Deacon.
