Mastering the mix

>> LAL’s new multimedia installation
Deportation settles at the MAI

Trust or bust: LAL

by SCOTT C

This week, the haunting, international electronic soul of Toronto’s LAL moves into the MAI (Montréal Arts Interculturels) for a full-tilt multimedia project called Deportation. The Friday- and Saturday-night shows are a precursor to their new recording of the same name, to be released on Public Transit Recordings. Focusing on the intolerant culture of fear waiting for immigrants who decide to settle in the West, this project aims to challenge the status quo, exploring these and other themes through music, sound and visuals. The Mirror reached LAL’s singer Rosina Kazi and beatmaster Nick Murray by phone in Toronto.

Mirror: What does the word “convergence” mean to you as a band?

Rosina Kazi: Convergence is all about meeting places and connecting. Artistically, we started off as an electronic duo, but this new recording has allowed us to have a lot more guest musicians, as well as incorporating film and multimedia artists into the show. I think artists have always mixed media, even when there wasn’t the technology to do it as fast and easy as we can now. We’re now at the point where we’re not satisfied just putting out a record. I can see it in my head, and it’s much bigger than a recording. We’ve really trusted everybody involved, and we’re not really sure what’s going to happen (laughs)!

Nick Murray: We know how it’s going to sound musically, but we’re not sure how it’s going to look. It’ll be a surprise for us too.

RK: When we get to Montreal, the week at the MAI is when this thing is all going to come together. We have enough faith and trust in the artists we’re working with that come Friday and Saturday, everything will be great.

M: Does it feel unusual to work your way up to a new recording with a multimedia installation?

RK: Well, in Toronto, you don’t really see people of colour doing this kind of project. This is like a whole live show based around a visual concept, and it’s all brand new to us. The learning curve has been huge.

M: So you understand the meaning of the title “executive producer” now?

RK: I don’t know if Nick does, but I do (laughs)! With a project like this, we just give people the idea, and let them run with it.

M: Have you always been happy with the result?

RK: Oh yeah.

NM: Well, I’m a little bit more controlling in the way I work, but in the case of this record, it was made with the idea that you come in and represent yourself. I guess we’ve been really lucky with the calibre of musicians we’ve dealt with.

RK: You could be a great musician, but you could be an ass too. I don’t want to work with you. You might be a mediocre musician, but your vibe is absolutely amazing. I want to work with that guy, y’know what I mean? And when you get the combination of vibe and musicianship, I have no trust issues at all.

With Jose Garcia, Faisal Anwar and
Moonstarr at MAI on Friday and
Saturday, April 13–14, 8 p.m., $20