About Me
..This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5
We Are Currently Looking For a New Drummer, plans are on hold until we secure one, thanks (April 2008)
Emotionally resonant, awash with middle-eastern mysticism and a dreamy, dangerous
sensuality, Canada's ARIEL continue to evolve as both a band and a musical aesthetic.
Formed in the early half of 1995, ARIEL's unique sound and ideals was the product of
vocalist/guitarist Ali Jafri and bass player Peter Emmett's shared interest in film, music,
literature and spirituality. Late night discussions on philosophy and art would lead to
smokey candle lit jams resulting in their first album, the independent cassette "Looks
Like Rain" - a critically acclaimed release that landed the young band a spot on stage
at Lollapalooza '95, at that point only their fourth official gig adding percussionist/keyboardist Laird Hurley to the lineup.
The following year Jafri and Emmett connected with drummer Dan Gamble, relocating from
Ottawa to the competitive cutthroat streets of Toronto and in no time getting the attention of
local ambient/darkwave indie label Plan Eleven (Parade, Roger O'Donnell formerly of the Cure).
Their first release on the Plan Eleven imprint was the haunting, epic WITHDRAWN, a disc
that not only garnered rave reviews, extensive college radio airplay and chart action, but also firmly locked in a near obsessive Canadian fan base. ARIEL with their powerful live performances became the darlings of the
thriving late 90's Toronto Indie, Rock, and Goth scenes, and leading to high profile performances with David J
of BAUHAUS fame, King Cobb Steelie at NXNE (industry festival and conference), and
with Manchester UK's highly influential Chameleons UK.
During this time, songwriter and unofficial leader Jafri began getting deeper in touch with
his Pakistani/Sufi heritage and started experimenting with tablas, frame drums and lyrics
penned in his native Urdu. This further exploration of Jafri's eastern roots, inspired a more
dramatic response in the band, resulting in ARIEL's second, soaring, expansive album
BIG TO THE SKY. This intense, mini masterpiece of emotional dissonance and world
music/modern rock fusion further secured the bands status as true musical innovators....
artists masquerading as rock stars.
It's 2008, and ARIEL are now older and wiser and without the services of Dan Gamble. Jafri and Hurley are now both proud fathers
and as the band continues to progress and thrive, they find themselves responding
musically to not only their changing personal and artistic lives but the ever-evolving socio-
political world that surround them. These are highly charged, dangerous times and this
newfound maturity, cynical awareness and sharper world view is reflected in their upcoming, highly anticipated new EP SUBLUNAR, a 4 track CD co-produced by the legendary Rob Sanzo (Dee Dee Ramone, Rhea's Obsession, Malhavoc). SUBLUNAR features guest performances by Ed Hanley (autorickshaw) on tabla, Yakudo Japanese Taiko Drummers, David Faris (ex-Parade) on theremin, and a cover illustration by bizarre visual artist Brandon Cronenberg. Masterdisk's Roger Lian of New York City has put the cherry on top as the celebrated mastering engineer (Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, Rob Zombie) has finished the job.
Keep your eyes and ears open for news on a CD release.
