OneBeat

OneBeat Virtual #5 fellow Surbhi Mittal, aka Pale Blue Dotter(@palebluedotter ) , is a sound artist, musician, and deep listening practitioner based from Delhi, India. She was a participant in the 2022 Westben Virtual Residency for Performer-Composers, an online collaborative exchange with musicians from around the world, taking part in the development of a multimedia piece and webpage involving field recordings of birds in conjunction with electronic and acoustic instruments. A former member of FemWAV – a collective of female artists focused on creating initiatives that provide possibilities for women to channel their creativity through music –, Surbhi advocates for the representation of women in electronic music and intersectional commitment to social change. She is currently in the process of launching a project to record and interpret the sounds of Durga Puja, a 9-day festival in Bengal, drawing connections between the attentive listening of the idols of Durga and the deep listening practice developed by Pauline Oliveros. Surbhi is also a contributor on The Indian Music Diaries website, regularly writing on the work being produced in the Indian electronic music industry, aiming to showcase new and innovative talent. An artist with a strong conceptual framework, she believes that “every creative piece already exists in the ether. We, as creative artists, are mediums to make it visible in the material world. Clip - live performance as a part of @noiseoiseoise @exchangeourworld @usembassyindia #culturaldiplomacy #exchangeourworld

OneBeat Virtual #5 fellow Sofyan Triyana(@swrntr_sanjay ) is a master of traditional Indonesian music from Bandung, Indonesia, proficient in a range of native instruments such as Kacapi, Suling, Bangsing, Tarompet, Rebab, and Tarawangsa. His deep understanding of the cultural and educational roles of music in society fuels his artistic endeavors. Sofyan’s most recent collaboration with composer Ricky Destiawan in the puppet theater production “Dén Kiso’,” sponsored by the Spanish Embassy, showcased his versatility and commitment to cultural storytelling through music. Sofyan is a staunch advocate for the transformative power of music, believing it to extend beyond mere entertainment. He views music as a vital educational tool that teaches unity, resilience, and social cohesion. Through his performances and collaborations, particularly with musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds, Sofyan aims to leverage the emotive and cognitive impacts of music to foster community change and understanding. His work not only preserves the rich musical traditions of Indonesia but also reinterprets them for global audiences, emphasizing music’s role in social and cultural healing. Clip- Anggana – Musik Bambu Dén Kisot - 20200724 @exchangeourworld @usembassyjkt #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual #exchangeourworld

OneBeat Virtual #5 fellow Raiël Solomon, also known as RxSolo(@rxsolo_ ), is a dynamic rapper, producer, sound engineer, and multi-instrumentalist from Cape Town, South Africa. Proficient in bass guitar, electric guitar, and piano, Raiël intertwines his deep passion for history and societal behaviors with his musical creations. His very first project delved into the lasting impacts of apartheid on the South African psyche, exploring how historical oppression has molded the experiences and emotions of his community. Through his music, Raiël seeks to illuminate the complex challenges his community faces, offering both a mirror for reflection and a beacon for healing. His work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of self-discovery, continually pushing the boundaries of his musical expression to explore and articulate different facets of his soul. Clip- FLOWER EP @exchangeourworld @usembassysa #culturaldiplomacy #exchangeourworld

Selamat kepada @septinalayan dari Papua, Indonesia, alumni @1beatmusic Borneo, yang mendapatkan dana hibah @StateDept untuk melestarikan lagu-lagu Suku Malind. Lewat project “Sound Artifact Residency”nya ia berharap dapat bekerja dengan komunitasnya dan menginspirasi kaum muda untuk merangkul budaya mereka. Bagaimana musik dapat menjaga tradisi agar tetap ada? Tradisi lokal apa yang kamu ingin jaga? #IndonesiaUSA75🇮🇩🇺🇸 📷🎥 by @stonedmozart

Coming to you live from OneBeat Virtual #5‼️ Swipe through a few fellow taken portraits from inside our digital space. ➡️🗺️🌍💻 @exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual #exchangeourworld

OneBeat Virtual #5 fellow Lizaveta Loban (@lizaveta_lb ) is a multi-talented musician whose work strives to connect contemporary techniques with traditional music. A renowned composer and pianist as well as a choir and folk vocalist, Lizaveta has won numerous competitions throughout Belarus and Russia. She has collaborated on a number of theater works and ballets, and is currently working with the Evgeny Panfilov Ballet on a ballet titled The Three Sisters, based on the Chekhov play. In this performance, the narrative is explored through a variety of mediums and genres of music, including a collaboration with a hip-hop performer. As a collaborator with a passion for social engagement through music, Lizaveta has also participated in the program Voices of Hope, where she worked with a choir within a women’s prison, and has collaborated with a political refugee in her current ballet. Clip- Lizaveta Loban - Naked (for xiao pao flute and tape electronic) @exchangeourworld @usembassybelarus #culturaldiplomacy

The fifth edition of the OneBeat Virtual residency invites us to delve into the priorities and challenges of our present era, navigating pathways within the realms of digital culture and music. This iteration unites a diverse group of twenty artists from around the world, fostering collaboration and creativity as we collectively envision potential futures. 20 Fellows from around the world are sharing and collaborating online for the next few weeks. Here are a few behind the scenes looks at the OneBeat Virtual #5 space. Stay tuned for more! @exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #exchangeourworld

Hailing from Kolkata, India, Shruti De (@shrutisarod ) is a sarod and mohan veena player, two instruments from the Hindustani music tradition. Brought up in a musical family, she has studied Indian classical music from the age of 4, firstly taught by her musician parents, but rapidly developing as a prodigious instrumentalist, taken under the guidance of acclaimed sarod player Pandit Samarendra Nath Sikdar when she was only 10 years old, and with whom she continues to study ever since. With a stellar background also in the academic world, Shruti is currently enrolled in a PhD degree in Physics at the University at Albany, SUNY. Shruti has received awards and scholarships throughout her career, such as Performing Artist of the Year at age 9, and more recently the BARNALI SMRITI PURASKAR, in acknowledgement of her excellence in music and poem composing. She has played notorious stages across India and the United States, such as the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, the India International Centre in Varanasi, the FORMAT Music Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Ashtaprahar Concert 2023 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Shruti is currently designing an international collaboration between musicians in the US, Canada and India to raise awareness around the global environmental crisis. Clip- Jhinjhoti | Short Snippet of Performance at Viewcy | Shruti Sarod | Ehren Hanson on Tabla @exchangeourworld @usembassyindia #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual

Meet OneBeat Virtual #5 Fellow Rama Saputra (@ramaputratantra ) is an accomplished composer and performer from Indonesia, with a deep proficiency in analog synthesizers as well as oriental strings and percussion. His artistic interests are broad, focusing on temporality, psychoacoustics, and the ambient-tribal electronic sounds that bridge the vernacular music activities of Asia and Africa. Rama is deeply engaged in exploring cross-cultural cooperation through his music. Rama has spearheaded various cultural collaborations aimed at fostering traditional and contemporary music incubation across cities and countries. These initiatives have connected multiple communities, enhancing the musical landscape through shared knowledge and creative synergy. Notably, Rama participated in the ‘intra-chromatic’ project alongside artists from Indonesia and Sweden, a significant endeavor facilitated by the Sacred Bridge Foundation, Indonesia’s first cultural non-profit private organization recognized by UNESCO. Through these collaborations, Rama seeks to not only create music that resonates across cultural boundaries but also to strengthen the ties between traditional heritage and contemporary musical expressions, making a profound impact on the global music scene. Clip- Grasp & Dissolve: The Vernacular Essence and Reshaping Behind the Voice 理解&融解：聲音背後的文化本質與再塑/Sundialll @exchangeourworld @usembassyjkt #exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual

Meet OneBeat Virtual #5 Fellow Neema Nasirumbi (@nem_rrrr ) is a singer, songwriter, and rapper from Nairobi, Kenya, who has embraced music as her true calling after a profound journey of self-discovery. Self-taught on the piano, Neema is deeply committed to expanding her musical horizons and education, actively engaging in every opportunity to explore and learn. Neema’s music reflects keen observations of societal pain, discrimination, corruption, and the pervasive effects of hatred and injustice, transforming these harsh realities into powerful lyrics and resonant messages. She collaborates closely with a group of musicians recovering from addiction at a local community center, offering social support and a creative space for musical collaboration. Neema is also dedicated to mentoring young musicians and helping them navigate the uncertainties of a professional music career. By empowering others, Neema believes she is making meaningful progress, one artist at a time. Clip- Robinai Nem R Official Video (AREA 5) @exchangeourworld @usembassynairobi #exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual

Meet OneBeat Virtual #5 Fellow Justine Noel Garcia (@justine_and_leo ) is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Miami, Florida. A versatile singer, effortlessly navigates a variety of genres such as pop, funk, rock, and R&B. In addition to her musical prowess, Justine is renowned for her creativity and spontaneity as a collaborator. Her experience as a mentor at Guitars Over Guns – a nonprofit that offers students from vulnerable Miami communities a powerful combination of music education and mentorship – showcases her dedication to uplifting and empowering aspiring musicians from vulnerable Miami communities. Justine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Music & Jazz from the University of Miami. Clip- Best of the Listening Room: Justine Garcia - Crime Hour | Sofar Miami @exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #exchangeourworld #onebeatvirtual

Meet OneBeat Virtual #5 Monterrey-based percussionist, producer and educator from Mexico, Eusebio Sánchez (@eusebiosanchezmusic ) is an acknowledged instrumentalist, mastering mallets, drums and various percussion instruments in settings ranging from intricate contemporary classical music to EDM and experimental multimedia interactive platforms. Eusebio holds a Masters degree in Music Performance from Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, in Spain, and currently teaches percussion at Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) and Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey (ESMDM). In addition to his solid trajectory as a virtuosic marimba soloist, he is the founder of contemporary percussion ensemble Q-Sión, focused on performances using unorthodox instruments; and idealizer of FRI-QUI, a project recently funded by IBERMÚSICAS aimed at the exploration of the experimental electronic music realm, diving into the mix of acoustic percussions with audio-visual live processing triggered by body sensors reactive to movement and the use of everyday objects such as TV and video game remote controllers to generate audio responses in real time. An enthusiastic collaborator, Eusebio has been a part of countless collective endeavors: in 2019, he was the producer and soloist of “El amor y la muerte”, a performance with a 130-piece ensemble featuring alumni from the ESMDM; and in 2021, Eusebio helped organizing the 60-piece all-female orchestra Nosotras Sonamos, directed by Valeria Rubí and Alma Huerta, focused on performing works from female composers. @exchangeourworld @usembassymex #exchangeourworld #culturaldiplomacy #onebeatvirtual5