C O P A L profile picture

C O P A L

About Me

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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 15/09/2005
Band Website: www.copalmusic.com
Band Members:

C O P A L is a melding of string fusion with world beat and electronic influences. Boston/NYC-based electronic string fusion band inspires audiences with deep dance beats and original melodies rooted in traditions, Copal creates soundscapes with world beats and hip hop styles, interweaving string melodies inspired by Middle Eastern rhythms, dark Nordic melodies, Hungarian riffs, Spanish-flavored cadences and harmonies to paint pictures and landscapes. Accompanied by tribal-style belly dancing, the fusion is taken to a new level, traveling from one end of the globe to another in an eclectic modern mix. Featuring violin, cello, vocals, synth pads, bass guitar, doumbek, frame drum, drum kit, and belly dancers. "Like lucid dreams, the sounds of Copal will carry your spirit away."





Eso-terra (2007) is available on CD Baby for purchase. Any and all support helps with the production of our upcoming EP, out later this year.



Copal is...

Hannah Thiem (violin, vocals, Egyptian riq)

Isabel Castellvi (cello)

Karl Grohmann (drum kit, electronic drum samples)

Christopher Brown (bass guitar, synth, laptop samples)


Engin Gunaydin (not in photos) (doumbek, riqq)
Robin Ryczek (not in photos) (cello)

on the visual side...
Shakti of Vadalna (tribal bellydancing)
Naraya of Vadalna (tribal bellydancing)
VJ Bonk (visuals)

with special guests Kara Trott (vocals), Eartha Harris (synthesizer), Emir Merzeci (bass guitar, synth), Christien Real (doumbek), Sarah (tribal bellydancing, cabaret), Denise (tribal bellydancing), Nathan Cohen (violin), Helen Sherrah-Davies (viola), Brian O'Neill (percussion), Garo Papazian (doumbek) and Paul Erlich (acoustic and electric guitar, keyboard).

~photos 1, 3, 4: Liz Linder (Boston, MA, 2008), photo 2: Hannah Thiem (NYC, 2009)

~~~~~~~

The concept of Copal began in 2005, with collaborations of Hannah Thiem and Jo Ball (cellist/bassist/composer). Ice Crystal and Amulet (featured on Eso-terra), emerged from these improvisation/composition sessions. Later in the year, Ammon EP (Soul Trance Productions, DJ, composer of live electronic beats), joined the group, and Copal began creating the fusion of strings with electronic beats and deep dance rhythms. Persian Woods and Red Dream were initially recorded from live jam sessions, along with Garo Papazian (doumbek), and then finely edited and arranged by Jo Ball. Their performances took them from the Middle East Downstairs to the Paradise Rock Club, to CoSM in NYC, private functions, non-profit events, wedding cocktail receptions, and a monthly Copal show at the Enormous Room in Cambridge, MA.

In 2006-07, Copal recorded their first EP, Eso-terra at Wellspring Sound Studios in Acton, MA, with guests Scott Halligan (cello) and Engin Gunaydin (doumbek). Digital editing was done by Jo Ball, Ammon EP, and Hannah Thiem. Copal then sent the tracks to Eric Peterson (Anechoic Productions, LA) for mixing and mastering. Album artwork includes two photographs by Hannah Thiem from Spain and Morocco, and graphically integrated and designed by Jonathan Salvo . CD face design by Marria Grace and Jonathan Salvo. First generation Copal band photography by Jonathan Salvo.

Copal's CD Release party was held at Axis Downstairs, Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA. The show featured Copal musicians: Hannah Thiem (violin), Jo Ball (bass), Karl Grohmann (drums, percussion), Eartha Harris (synth), Helen Sherrah-Davis (5-string violin), Christian Real (doumbek) DJs: Ammon EP, Shwilly B, VJs: Whorld EnVision, belly dancers: Shakti Rowan, Sarah Wood, Denise Santaro, silk aerialist: Acronymph. Hosted by Johnny Marquis. It was a night to remember!

Eso-terra is available on iTunes and CD Baby . Songs composed and arranged by Hannah Thiem (BMI), Jo Ball (ASCAP), Ammon EP.

In 2007, Copal moved to a live drum sound and added Karl Grohmann to the band. Ammon EP moved on to continue working on his label Soul Trance Records . In the fall of 2007, the team that was Copal decided to split ways and pursue musical styles more well-suited to the individuals' interests. Jo Ball is now working on a solo project called Amulet Music.

2008 was a year of much expansion and growth with the addition of Halley Feaster (electric 6-string cello, vocals, string arrangements), and Chris Brown (bass guitar, synth pads, laptop samples). Performing at festivals and clubs in NYC, Boston, and Providence, Copal carved new spaces with their refined sounds, dynamic presence, and dance floor grooves.
Since September 2008, Copal has been working with Isabel Castellvi (cello, masterful string arranger) on new music for an upcoming full-length album. Studio sessions at Taylor Barefoot Studio in Brighton, MA. Watch for the full-length and a live release later this year. On the performance side, tribal dancer Naraya (Vadalna dance company) collaborates with Shakti on choreographed pieces to visually augment the sound of the music.

~photo credit: Liz Linder (Boston, MA, 2008)
Influences: combining traditional sounds stemming from Spanish gypsy, Eastern European, Nordic and Middle Eastern influences with electronic beats and soundscapes of the modern age...
Sounds Like:

a fusion of dance and groove with traditional melodies and improvisation interwoven


Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Copal in the studio!

We were in the studio this last weekend--at Taylor Barefoot Studiosin Brighton, MA, recording our full length. Such an awesome experience!We were able to have complete separation of every instrument. ...
Posted by on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:27:00 GMT

LIQUID TRIBAL @ Club Love, NYC feat. Copal + tribal dancers Sera + Naraya ::Sun. Sept. 28::

As the shadows lengthen into autumn and the moon sets in darkness theChurch coven invites you down into the den of secrets foran evening of Liquid Tribal:Lady Sera (East Coast Tribal), Naraya (Vadalna...
Posted by on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:35:00 GMT

Primordiale @ CoSM with Copal, Sera, Haj, Mikio :::Friday, June 13th:::

Wanted to share a few new things...photo shoot with Liz Linder...with some amazing photos to add to our collection. We welcome the addition of Chris Brown on bass guitar and synth, adding some subtle ...
Posted by on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:48:00 GMT

String fusion world beat band Copal @ the Annex in NYC :::3.02.08:::

Copal at the Annex in NYC :::Sunday, March 2nd, 2008:::We're excited to be playing one of NYC's top hip happen' clubs in the city...on the Lower East Side. Come out for some new Copal tunes, string ex...
Posted by on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:28:00 GMT

Village Underground ::2.27.08:: @ the Estate feat. Copal + DJs Br Cleve & Enrique Florendo

Village Underground ::2.27.08:: @ the Estate feat. Copal + DJs Brother Cleve & Enrique Florendo + belly dancers Shakti & Naraya (Boston)Date & Time: Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 9:00 PMLocation: The ...
Posted by on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Booking us

Please fill out this information and send it back to us:1. Description of Performance2. Date3. Event name4. Location5. Time slot and length of performance6. Promoter's name7. Promoter's address...
Posted by on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:06:00 GMT

COPAL CD eso-terra now available from CD Baby!

Copal's CD eso-terra is now available for purchase online from CD Baby.To purchase your copy, go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/copal.Also, if you like what you hear, please add your review to the CD on CD B...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:59:00 GMT

COPAL CD Release @ Axis Downstairs :::Friday, June 15th:::

For a spectacular evening, join us for the Copal event of the season!COPAL CD Releasehosted by ++:::Friday, June 15th:::@ Axis Downstairs10p-2a, 21+$10 at the door/$5 reducedRSVP to http://redtail.cha...
Posted by on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:16:00 GMT

COPAL in the studio!

COPAL--going into the studio to record our long-awaited single! To be released early next year...Our newest song, Amulet, Celtic-rock-hiphop fusion, will be featured on our single including remixes of...
Posted by on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:08:00 GMT

COPAL opening for Fluttr Effect's CD Release Party :::Friday, Sept. 22nd:::

Fluttr Effect + Copal + Captain Cutthroat + Kid:Nap:Kin@ the Middle East DownstairsFriday, September 22nd doors 8pm, Copal @ 9pm18+, $10Buy tickets in advance from Fluttr's web site (www.fluttreffect....
Posted by on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:57:00 GMT