When two artists work together regularly, their collaborations resound with an understanding which often seems telekinetic. There’s no better example of this connection than the new video for Sister Sai’s “Inertia.” The video was produced by Jeremi Johnson (10th Letter), who has utilized Saira Raza’s cello mastery on nearly every record he has produced. As a result, his understanding of her creative process feels instinctive amidst the blur of images which streak into the viewer’s subconscious.
For those who haven’t experienced Raza’s atmospheric jazz, the cello-driven work is punctuated with a deep thoughtfulness that pulses through each movement. This is a reflection of the multi-instrumentalist’s diverse past and classical music training, but there’s hardly a hint of traditionalism in her boldly futuristic melodies. This mix of creativity and discipline is woven throughout “Inertia.” The halting bass groove and clattering drums provide an organic link to the present amidst the whirling forces of the cosmos, but it’s Raza’s impeccable timing which underscores every psychedelic flourish.
More than simply the title track from her last LP, “Inertia” is an exploration of stasis and a reminder of our cosmic relativity. “While we are standing still, the world is still moving,” Raza explains via email. “From afar, the earth can seem slow and lumbering, but up close, there is frantic motion happening everywhere.” This wisdom is translated by the Johnson’s vibrant video collage; a sensory wellspring that is neither hurried nor sporadic, but rather perfectly cued to knock the viewer into Sister Sai’s orbit.
Sister Sai will perform on Saturday, November 26 at Gallery 992 as part of the closing reception for Cheo Waters’ exhibit “The Call of the Mask.” Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $7. All ages.
More Info
Web: sistersai.com
Bandcamp: sairaraza.bandcamp.com
SoundCloud: @sistersai
Twitter: @sistersai