"Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic oceanside Playhouse at Shangri La and in the shadow of Lēʻahi, this live performance intertwines ancient stories of loss and transformation with cosmic imagery, offering a multi-sensory exploration of human emotion. Featuring original compositions from the “Kingdom Of Xye” including “Heavy Waves,” “Deep Blue,” and “The Mountain’s Daughter,” the pieces capture the ebb and flow of sorrow, much like the shifting tides and celestial bodies that inspired them. This performance is an intimate reflection on how the forces of nature, mythology, and our own inner universe shape the way we experience loss and healing." - ASADI & XYE | 2024 Artist-in-Residence
*Songs Performed:*
00:00 “Heavy Waves” | XYE
03:45 “Deep Blue” | XYE
08:23 “Neptune’s Storm” | TAIMANE
11:40 “The Mountain's Daughter” | ASADI & XYE
*About the Residency:*
In the spring of 2024, ASADI & XYE were invited to participate in the Residency program at Shangri La, a center of the Doris Duke Foundation. During the Residency, they recorded a series of live performances across Shangri La’s creative campus and fostered cross-cultural connections to Hawaiʻi’s rich history and vibrant music community including a collaboration with ukulele virtuoso, Taimane, the center’s summer 2024 Resident artist.
This special performance brings into focus these connections as manifested in the architecture and landscapes of Shangri La and the cultural backgrounds of the artists.
*Subscribe and Follow the Residency:*
@hi_shangrila | @AsadiMusic | @itsxye | @TaimaneMusic
*About the Artists:*
*XYE* emerges as a pioneering figure at the nexus of music and fine art. A luminary in both domains, she seamlessly transitions from the canvas as a gifted still life painter to leaving an indelible mark on VR's most prominent Triple AAA games, from Stress Level Zero’s “BoneLab” to Ubisoft’s “The Rogue Prince Of Persia."
As a first-generation immigrant of Greek, Russian, and Armenian descent, her music and art reflect the rich tapestry of her heritage, weaving tales of grief, war, love, and the quest for meaning in life.
This summer, Xye embarks on her first world tour, spanning 25 cities, where she will unveil her highly anticipated solo debut album, "The Kingdom Of Xye" a master fusion of genre-bending dark, classical, and electronic sounds. Fueled by a passion to inspire change, provoke thought, and amplify the boundless potential of women, Xye continues to redefine the landscape of music and fine art with what is possible if you dare to dream.
*ASADI* is a Persian-American Electronic Music Producer & Performance Artist from Columbus, Ohio. He is known for his rare Middle Eastern influence and impressive performance ability. In the studio, his knowledge in the land of Persian composition uniquely activates a sense of timelessness that the world can resonate with, and his instruments play a strong role in illustrating such emotion. They include the Persian Setar, Persian Tar, Persian Daf, and Italian Mandolin. He brings these delicate sounds to life when performed with his drum machine, in which he effortlessly triggers his entire rhythm section completely live on 16 electronic pads.
ASADI’s artistry derived from a lifetime passion in writing songs, first learning piano at the age of 5. In high school, his parents gifted him with a drum pad and some Persian instruments he never knew existed. This flipped a switch and birthed the 10 year voyage to who he is today. From his diligent hustle on social media, from a thousand hours of perfecting his craft live, and from the constant desire to create truly extraordinary music, a precious die- hard following has inevitably grown to represent the sound of ASADI Worldwide.
*TAIMANE* translates to diamond from Samoan and perfectly reflects the different facets of her nature. Whether delicately finger-picking through Bach or radically ripping through Led Zeppelin, Taimane has the ability to morph genres - from classical to rock to flamenco - and stretch her instrument far beyond the familiar melodies of Hawai`i, where she grew up. When Don Ho caught wind of the talented teen, he invited her to join him as part of his venerable variety show at the Waikiki Beachcomber, further fueling Taimane’s desire to perform for and connect with audiences. In addition to performing her own distinctive versions of well-known pieces, Taimane weaves in original compositions that are as far ranging as her musical tastes. With the fierceness of a rocker, and the grace of a dancer, Taimane and her music are wowing ever-larger audiences. She lights up rooms wherever she goes, sparkling like the diamond that she is.