Eki Shola Set to Release Captivating 5th New Album 還 (Kaeru)

A Journey of Rediscovering Home Through Music

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Olivia Long PR

Renowned artist Eki Shola is set to enchant music enthusiasts once again with the release of her latest album, 還 (Kaeru). The title track serves as a poignant exploration of the concept of home and identity, drawing inspiration from her extensive travels and personal experiences.

Eki Shola's musical journey has always been characterized by a deep connection to diverse cultures and the human experience. With 還 (Kaeru), she delves into the theme of returning home - not just a physical space, but a spiritual and emotional journey towards self-discovery and authenticity.

The inspiration behind 還 (Kaeru) stems from Eki Shola's personal history as an immigrant and the quest to find a sense of belonging. Having moved from London as a child, she has felt the displacement that accompanies immigration, yearning to grasp the essence of what "home" truly means. The transformative events in her life, including the traumatic loss of her California home to wildfires in 2017, further fueled her exploration of this concept.

"還 (Kaeru)," which translates to "to return home," captures the essence of Eki Shola's profound introspection. The song encapsulates her emotions and experiences as she finds solace in the enchanting alleyways of Hiroshima, the vibrant streets of Lisbon, and the warm community of Addis Ababa. However, it is Japan, that speaks most to Eki Shola, validating the strong connection she felt when first visiting 20 years ago as a medical student. Collaborating with musicians in Japan, and recording at Studio Tepemok, a former community hospital, Eki Shola has masterfully woven sonic threads of identity and culture into the fabric of her music.

Eki Shola's unique journey culminated in the creation of her fifth album, 還 (Kaeru). The album showcases a fusion of her rich musical influences, intertwining them with her personal growth and healing process. The title track "還 (Kaeru)" itself represents the culmination of this voyage - a realization of the answers she sought about the concept of home. It symbolizes the joy of embracing authenticity and the profound realization that home resides within oneself.

The album 還 (Kaeru) is not just a musical experience; it's an odyssey of self-discovery, healing, and connection. Eki Shola invites listeners to embark on this transformative journey through her evocative melodies and soul-stirring lyrics.

還 (Kaeru) will be available on Bandcamp and all major streaming platforms.

About

Eki’Shola’s music is “Half-time electronic soul for the mind” – Resident Advisor. Featured on BBC3, PBS, NPR Tiny Desk Contest, KQED, and most recently selected Best of the Bay 2020 Editors’ Pick, Eki’Shola’s music transcends genre, as she seamlessly draws from jazz, electronica, and soul music to create a sonic landscape all her own. A vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and physician, Eki’Shola uses her music as a conduit for healing.

Born in London to Jamaican parents, Eki’Shola was raised in a musical family. She emigrated to NY in ’87 and later as a pre-med student at Cornell, she performed in the jazz ensemble featuring guest artists including Steve Turre and Dr. Donald Byrd. In 2016, fueled by grief, she was inspired to release her debut album, Final Beginning, in honor of her mother. Subsequently, after a traumatic escape from the October 2017 northern California wildfires, Eki’Shola was moved to make music her main profession and after transitioning from a full-time medical career, she composed Pieces, a trilogy. Each album portrays a particular stage of reflection. Possible (11/11/19 release) symbolizes a moment characterized by hope and a determination to not give up after losing so much. Drift (2/2/20 release) represents the subsequent period of wanting to be cocooned within a movement that was comforting, and healing. The recently released Essential (9/9/20 release) envelops you in instrumentals, spoken word, and lyrics that share hope, inspired by periods of contemplation among movements of climate change, coronavirus pandemic, and Black Lives Matter advocacy.

ASCAP Plus winner and four-time NorBay Music awardee, Eki’Shola has shared the stage with Dr. Donald Byrd and Steve Turre and has opened for various artists including Habib Koité, Bebel Gilberto, DakhaBrakha, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Lucky Otis, and Kitaro. Eki’Shola completed her Essential Virtual Tour in 2021, performing and giving talks across the world. Furthermore, inspired by observing the need for amplifying the voices of underrepresented creatives, Eki’Shola was moved to create and launch Unmute Magazine, a digital publication by and mainly for BIPOC artists. Recently participating in an artist residency at OBRAS foundation, Portugal, she looks forward to completing her fifth solo album, かえる(Kaeru).

Source Olivia Long PR