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Mystical musicians share spiritual experience

Battle Trance is performing for their first time in 琉璃神社 at 琉璃神社 Forum, Jan. 29.
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Battle Trance members Jeremy Viner

Mystical would be one way to describe it.

Different would be another.

But experimental is the best way to detail the music of four tenor saxophone players who will be bringing their unique style to the Okanagan.

鈥淚t鈥檚 literal singing through the mouth piece鈥 and using specific fingerings to create a resonance,鈥 said composer Travis Laplante.

Based out of Brooklyn, New York, Battle Trance is performing for their first time in 琉璃神社 as the sixteenth instalment of the Skin And Bones Music Series at 琉璃神社 Forum, Jan. 29.

Laplante creates his unconventional music by 鈥渦nlearning the rules鈥 of the traditional form.

He desired to bring a meditation-like quality to his pieces and sits with his saxophone, meditating with it to 鈥渋ntroduce the saxophone in a way that doesn鈥檛 have boundaries or expectations. It鈥檚 throwing myself into the unknown with sound鈥 and allows ears and heart to stretch in a way.鈥

The sound is unusual, as four tenor saxophones carry an almost bee-like sound, as the musicians meld with their instruments in a combination of fast-paced rhythms and slow hums.

It isn鈥檛 meant to be understood, but felt.

Each member of the band has an 鈥渁 deep and unspoken understanding of the music,鈥 said Laplante, which keeps them grounded in the unconventional style.

It鈥檚 almost spiritual. 鈥淧eople who devote their lives to music have a spiritual relationship with music,鈥 he said, noting he isn鈥檛 pushing spirituality onto others and his bandmates, but rather promoting feelings and connection.

Band members Jeremy Viner, Matt Nelson, Patrick Breiner and Laplante formed in 2012, after Laplante sought out each musician to collaborate on a project.

Laplante remembers their first meeting, after they held a clear, long note together he decided he wanted to keep working together.

鈥淚 had a strong feeling that I wanted to start a band with Jeremy and Matt and Patrick. I wanted to be with these particular guys.鈥

As a collective band, with four saxophones dissolving into one sound, Laplante said Battle Trance was a fitting name.

The name came to Laplante as it does with other names for his pieces鈥搑andomly. It wasn鈥檛 until he Googled the phrase that he discovered the meaning.

鈥淏attle Trance came in and it felt right. (It鈥檚) the state where warriors are able to abandon personal desires for a greater (cause). It鈥檚 has a powerful resonance, our own individual identities dissolve into a greater collective. It鈥檚 a very unAmerican ensemble in a way.鈥

He noted this contrasted his feelings earlier in the interview with Capital News, as he sought these particular musicians to form a band, but describes the music as 鈥渉uman, there鈥檚 something primal about it.鈥

Their latest album, Blade of Love, released in August 2106, took seventh place in the Rolling Stone鈥檚 20 Best Avant Albums of 2016 which Laplante appreciates.

鈥(With myself) there鈥檚 cynicism sometimes and I will not expect much, but it gives me hope and faith that if the music is true, (people will listen).鈥

Having been to Vancouver numerous times, Laplante is looking forward to spending time in other areas of B.C.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting for all of us,鈥 he said.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. To find out more about Battle Trance visit their .

General admission is $20 and $15 for students and Alternator members. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at Milkcrate Records on Ellis Street or at the Alternator located inside the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

 




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