Fusion – n. the process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity
The “cosmic world music ensemble,” BELLA Gaia, offers music that is a combination of “virtuosic violins, soothing vocals, and exotic instrumentation (koto, tablas, Egyptian nay flute).” Their debut album Beautiful Earth was released on November 11th and is a recording of their live show created in conjunction with NASA, thus giving them that “cosmic world vibe.” Composer and director Kenji Williams, who was inspired after meeting astronaut Mike Fincke, created the ensemble and show in order to merge music, visual arts, and science together. Williams himself is the epitome of fusion, having grown up in a multicultural family. Throughout his career, he has also delved in variety of creative fields including music, film, and theater. Continue reading Gadfly Online’s interview with Williams in order to learn more about the fusion that is Kenji Williams and BELLA Gaia, and be sure to take a listen to their single, “Oribtal,” here.
Gadfly Online: Can you provide us with some background? Where are you from? What made you pursue a career in music?
Kenji Williams: My mother is Japanese, my father is Welsh, but I grew up in Washington DC. I was pretty serious with classical violin since the age of 6 but ended up going to film school and then composing music for films. My career spans music, film, and theater, so it is a fusion of all of these passions. But I guess, growing up in a multi-cultural family and world, music seemed to be the language that made the most sense to me.
GO: How would you characterize your music? Do you fit into a stock genre or create a fusion of genres?
KW: My music is certainly a fusion of world music, classical, and electronica. But it is very visual, ethereal, and trance-inducing music that sort of pokes a hole in reality and takes the listener on an immersive journey. When combined with the visuals of Bella Gaia live show, projections of Earth from space and the NASA data visualization we show, it is truly a spectacular journey that is mysterious and magical.
GO: Who would you cite as your musical influence?
KW:
Classical:
Saint Seans
Debussy
Electronica/Ambient:
Brian Eno
The orb
Orbital
Massive attack
Speedy J
Richie Hawtin
Emit
Future sound of London
Underworld
Detroit techno and minimal house
Steve roach
Sphongle
Vir Unis
Telefon tel aviv
Enya
World:
Nitin Sawhney
Zakhir Hussain
Various Indian Classical
Nusrat fateh Ali kan
Hamsa el din
Gamelan
Pop:
U2
Eminem
Mc Solaar
Jazz:
Miles davis
Thelonius monk
Dizzy Gilespie
John Coltrane
Reggae:
The police, skatalites
Bob marley
Peter tosh
Burning Spear, Aswad
Dub, dancehall reggae
English beat
GO: What project are you promoting right now? How does this fit into your overall career arc?
KW: Bella Gaia, the multimedia show, is more like a brand that I am building long-term. It has come a long way, and this album release is a huge step forward. But I have even bigger dreams and plans for Bella Gaia. I am a multimedia director first and composer second. Bella Gaia brings together all these passions.
GO: What do you hope to communicate to listeners through your music? What does music mean to you?
KW: I have used a description for my music: “The soundtrack to the story of your evolution,” so I seem to have a great passion for music for transformation.
GO: What can we expect from you in the future?
KW: Expect more music but more of a multimedia live experience as a Director. I have great interest in live performance interacting with motion tracking and sound activated technology. I am definitely moving towards new immersive entertainment experiences.
GO: Whom is your music geared towards? How is it impacting them? In other words, why should we listen to your music and message?
KW: My music is for both young and old people but definitely for someone who has great sensitivity in musical detail and enjoying a deep journey and ride through immersion. Certainly, someone open minded, but because my music has a transformational power, it can open a closed mind and heart. You should listen to my music if you have an interest in discovering a new part of yourself.
For more information about BELLA Gaia, visit their
