Composer/Percussionist Julian Loida Paints With Sound on Wallflower.

The album features 10 new works for solo percussion. “Wallflower” was released on September 6, 2019, preceded by single releases in May & July 2019.

Boston-based percussionist/composer Julian Loida releases his solo-debut, Wallflower, on September
6, 2019. Loida, whose music has been described as “shimmering” and “radiant,” has performed and written for many bands and ensembles of varying styles. On Wallflower, he presents ten kaleidoscopic new works for solo percussion, guided by the unique way in which he experiences music. KING FM’s Second Inversion, which premiered the album’s first video, describes the record as an “immersive sensory experience.”

When Loida hears certain tones, he may also feel strong sensations of color and texture. This sensory phenomenon, called synesthesia, affords Loida a unique compositional voice: the music of Wallflower is not only a reflection of what Loida hears; but also what he sees, and feels. He says: “Wallflower and the music I compose is closer to a musical painting in which I assemble sound to evoke the colors in my mind than a traditional approach of calculated chord progressions, law-abiding voice leading, or even algorithms of modern tone rows from the Western canon.”

Utilizing vibraphone throughout, the album mixes in pulsating piano, voice, samples, and processed sound to create an electro-acoustic soundscape. From the ethereal opening track “Silver Lacquer” to the more driving rhythms of “Ashé,” Loida’s Wallflower creates a uniquely intimate and personal ambiance.