Husband-and-wife
tandem Dan and Cristina Handrabur make up what is Weed!
The
latest release from Weed contains
many nuggets of musical works with ambient
singer
Cristina Handrabur that lends her beautifully distinctive vocals to
songs on 'Visionary Sessions'. Both (Dan and Cristina Handrabur) were
both born
in Bucharest Romania before each moved to live in Geneva. Dan began
playing violin and is classically trained musically while garnering a
scholarship to study at the Conservatoire de Geneve at the young age
of sixteen (16) years old. Cristina began singing also at an early
age in her teens with credits on many albums and placements of her
music on many soundtrack CD's. As Weed, they blend ambiance,
psychedelia, trip-hop and electronica elements into their own unique
musical blend and top it with Dan's great playing styles and with
Cristina’s distinctive vocals.
Oddly,
Weed have been flying under the radar when it comes to music in
mainstream world. People are now fast becoming more familiar with
this act, and especially those listeners that are fans of Morcheeba,
Lemon
Jelly,
The
Cinematic Orchestra and
Jazzanova.
Fans of triphop in general and electronica music band will love this
new album entitled 'Visionary Sessions.' This latest release does
sound like an old formula in a modern era, and those that love music
with a modern and sophisticated lounge feel to it, this is an album
for you.
Earning
a set of Technics DJ'ing at the landmark Club 58, Weed adapted the
use of a Korg synthesizer and a Roland beat box. The new reality of
composing and producing electronic music along with adding Cristina's
soothing vocals, make up quintessential Weed. That overall sound is
something that automatically makes the entire album accessible to all
listeners. The combination of Dan's playing and Cristina's vocals
makes them sound like they did the day they met to collaborate as
one. The dreamy vocals and trip hop sound is what carries the band.
And, the ability to produce sophisticated beats with flashy chords is
what makes that cutting edge overall sound.
There is no doubt that we will hear certain songs be used on TV montages and in advertisements, and the band has already been placed in at least four Soundtrack (Suddenly Naked, Guilty, Free Enterprise & Bruiser) CD's to date. Drawn together by similar tastes in music and artwork, Dan and Cristina fell in love literally, and musically. After Dan moved with his family to Toronto, Canada (shortly after his graduation), a year later, Cristina joined him, and they married each other while they also they collaborated on music in Weed. Having relocated to Canada, they both quickly became known among a new electronic music community and have had great successes in large American cities like Detroit and throughout the entire United Kingdom. Their overall ambient sound is actually described as being more than the Industrial sounds any major populated city is more associated with today.
There is no doubt that we will hear certain songs be used on TV montages and in advertisements, and the band has already been placed in at least four Soundtrack (Suddenly Naked, Guilty, Free Enterprise & Bruiser) CD's to date. Drawn together by similar tastes in music and artwork, Dan and Cristina fell in love literally, and musically. After Dan moved with his family to Toronto, Canada (shortly after his graduation), a year later, Cristina joined him, and they married each other while they also they collaborated on music in Weed. Having relocated to Canada, they both quickly became known among a new electronic music community and have had great successes in large American cities like Detroit and throughout the entire United Kingdom. Their overall ambient sound is actually described as being more than the Industrial sounds any major populated city is more associated with today.
After
the participation of many projects over the years (Outersanctum,
Floatpoint, Vuemorph, Mere Mortals, Off And Gone, Weed), the duo has
since returned to their native home in Romania to settle in a
mountain village, and label head (Rewired Records) Don Lichterman,
pleaded with them to allow the company to release this latest CD
(Visionary Sessions). (Don) Lichterman says that “seeing them
around horse drawn carriages, wooden stoves, secular traditional
customs and lots of fresh air, the home of Outersanctum Studios is a
goldmine of music and most of all, these guys play so well together;
they compliment each others great talents.” (Don) Lichterman also
says that “Dan continues to produce albums, tour all over in Europe
and hopes to be able to travel to India to learn the techniques of
Indian violin playing as well as the sarangi, an ancient, almost
rudimentary stringed instrument with a distinctive sound.”
Cristina
Handrabur
says that “in
the last years since we moved from Bucharest, we are enjoying a more
natural life, growing our own vegetables and herbs, making our own
wine, visiting and discovering new sacred places(where European
civilization first started), forest trekking, experimenting and
finding inspiration for new artwork.” (Don) Lichterman says that
“this overall situation is a great recipe for success and most of
all, they need to be heard big time.” He (Don Lichterman) ends by
saying that he “will give them (Cristina and Dan Handrabur
aka
Weed) the most viable chances to be placed and they will have the
most viable way to be heard by anyone in the world.”
The
'Visionary Sessions” twelve (12) CD is in stores on march 3rd
and the new video of the song, “Truth Love Spirit“ is in all
video outlets beginning this week. The full length CD is made up with
the following beautiful sound recordings:
1.
Visionary Sessions
2.
Ace
3.
Blessed (Proceed Without Caution)
4.
Fields Of Love
5.
Aloft
6.
Finding My Way
7.
Follow Me
8.
Make U Feel
9.
Omen
10.
Path Of Rose Petals
11.
Peace Mantra
12.
So Hi
13.
A Sigh Becomes A Thousand Trees
14.
Truth Love Spirit