PORTALS

Step into Portals, a selection of sounds by a group of exciting up-and-coming producers and songwriters based in and around the Los Angeles area. In August 2022, a group of artists had been learning, listening and creating together in a workshop program called OVERTONES, led by Nereya Otieno and Ben Rafson of the Rising Artists Foundation and Chilean musician Nicolás Jaar. Following the conclusion of the program, the artists — Becca Lilia, brz, mrsebs, Neyva, Romeo Diablos, Umbra Abra and VORA — decided to forge a sonic testament to the experience they’d shared and the explorations that developed as a result. Cue Portals. 19 tracks spanning 1:22:20 minutes, Portals features both solo compositions, collaborative songs and one full group track — the first single “Xqst Corpz” to which Jaar also contributed. Releasing in early 2023 by the independent label Other People, Portals is a condensation of the time, work, bonds, thoughts and explorations of this group of electronic musicians at a crucial point in their creative career.

OVERTONES was a grant program and workshop created to reduce barriers to electronic music production, nurture creative exploration and provide music industry education in the Los Angeles area. The program explored the concept of overtones in the creative process and in the music industry, and was led by artist Nicolás Jaar and special music industry guests. The workshop lasted 2 months and featured 2 in person classes per week, one on electronic music production with Ableton Live 11 led by Jaar, and the other providing tools to navigate and demystify the music industry led by The Rising Artist Foundation, Jaar and guests. All participants were granted a stipend of $4,375 and received funds to cover health care costs and obstacles to entry (child/elder care, transport, etc.) for the duration of the program. OVERTONES is a program created in partnership between Other People and The Rising Artist Foundation. The Rising Artist Foundation elevates a broad spectrum of voices in American music. We foster creative and professional growth in the early stages of a musician’s career to nurture uncompromising artistic expression. We envision an America in which the music industry is demystified, diversified and accessible for talented people both on stage and behind the scenes. We foresee a system where new musicians are healthy, educated and financially stable — with agency over their craft and careers.