Earlier this year, to celebrate the release Kambo Wambo by the RAAR Trio, we interviewed visionary composer, Ari Joshua, so you can imagine our excitement when we found out that the talented multi-disciplinary artist and his creative cohorts were back with Star Light Mountain.
Setting the tone with a psychedelic electric guitar performance and a dimensional, electronica-hybrid soundscape, Ari Joshua’s RAAR Trio open Star Light Mountain with intricacy, immersion and sonic genius. The creators share an inspiring tale with their prose as we experience the lyrics, “If your spirits down and lonely, and your heart’s aching for a cure, when vision bursts just listen softly, she says, there’s a road to heaven, we can take you there for sure…”
Fans of iconic acts like David Bowie and The Beatles will be able to connect with Star Light Mountain, which hold a timeless nostalgia, and features stunning harmonies, with out of this world guitar performances, and a holistic, conscious, and intentional depth – something that we have come to love and expect from Ari Joshua. Tonally, the creators also suggest how Star Light Mountain would fit well alongside roots rock bands like The Black Crowes and Alabama Shakes, as well as classic rock jam bands such as Dead and Company, and The Trey Anastasio Band, which we are inclined to agree with!
The overarching sentiment of the track is vibrant, and clearly showcases how exemplary Ari’s guitar skills truly are. The mid point of the opus is stripped back and meditative, allowing the psychedelic edge to lead us into a vortex of divine creation and beyond for the finale.
Along with Ari Joshua on guitar and vocals, Star Light Mountain features Russ Lawton on drums, and Ray Paczkowski on organ, is set to drop this Friday along with new East Coast tour dates and recording sessions. The three creators are also joined by Josephine Howell, who performs soulful backing vocals!
In celebration of the release, Ari has announced an extensive tour featuring performances on both the East and West Coasts, with dates including May 22 at The Seamonster Lounge, May 31 at Nectar’s in Burlington, June 2 at Mercury Lounge, June 5 at The Stone Church, and June 7 at a venue to be announced. The tour boasts a growing lineup that includes Kris Yunker & Ben Atkind from Goose, Matt Dolliver, and members of Dead Set, Joe Doria, with more guests to be announced. Fans can look forward to more details on The Helping Friendly Podcast on Osiris live on May 23rd. The tour is a series of dates featuring a growing list of amazing players, follow Ari’s socials or label page for updates!
We learn that the recording of Star Light Mountain was a cross-country collaboration, with tracking by Ben Collette at Tank Recording in Burlington, Vermont, overdubs by Aaron Harmonson at Ari Joshua’s Music Factory Studios, and a high-resolution mix by Jonathan Plum of London Bridge Studios.
We always connect with what Ari Joshua manifests, and have added Star Light Mountain to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our new TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Ari Joshua, and anticipate future releases from the RAAR Trio.
Upcoming Tour Dates
The Suncatchers featuring Joe Doria & Ehssan Karimi
May 31 – Seamonster Lounge – Seattle, Wa
Ari Joshua Band
May 31 – Nectars – Burlington, VT
June 2 – Mercury Lounge – New Tork, NY
Kris Yunker, Ari Joshua, Ben Atkind dates
June 5th The Stone Church – Bratelboro, VT
June 7th TBA Brattleboro – VT
Check www.arijoshua.com for more dates.