Strange and wonderful things can happen when three talented artists from completely different musical backgrounds join creative forces. One of these "things" is Levitating (streaming below), a mostly hip hop track that merges Sammus' rhymes with Olga Bell's European flavored electronic production and Xenia Rubinos Hispanic music influences. Born from an instrumental penned by Bell, the track is a perfect example of what NYC is (and has been for awhile): an irreversible melting pot of races and culture, where positive collaboration trumps any difference and distrust. The message here is that (hard) work and curiosity are the best antidotes to intolerance, and these prolific ladies know something about it. Check out the track below, and catch Xenia Rubinos at the Ecstatic Music Fest at the Kaufman Center on January 27th. 

Born in Moscow and raised in Alaska, Olga Bell is a classically trained pianist, composer, producer and performer based in Brooklyn. Unafraid of venturing into unfamiliar sonic territories, her musical career could be interpreted as an effort to defy cliche'. That's how her latest album 'Tempo' can be portrayed, since it was composed using typical EDM sounds, but the final results is nowhere near that genre. Olga recently unveiled the video for the record's second single 'ATA' (streaming below) and also played her first headlining UK dates. Our sister blog Delicious Audio asked her a few questions about the making of 'Tempo' - link below.

Q&A with Olga Bell about her creative process, synths and gear.

Here's our usual, "blurbless" appointment with tracks recently released by NYC based artists that are either "not so emerging" (but also not so famous!) or have already been covered a lot in the past in ths very blog, enjoy!

Read our past coverage about these artists here: Homeboy Sandman (pictured), Mutual Benefit, Olga Bell, EMEFE

Dancing has long been a form of escapism, not only from the world, but also from the inner machinations and inhibitions of the self. Such are the themes explored in Brooklyn-via-Alaska-via-Moscow composer Olga Bell’s new single, “Randomness,” which dropped this week on One Little Indian. The song is a bleak approach to feeling good on a dance floor, but it works. Cold yet melodic synth oscillate and arpeggiate over the somewhat unexplored territory of 120+ BPM, a speedy force to be reckoned with. Bell’s hushed, effected vocals coat the amalgam of percussive tones, prodding at you with reflective lyrics about the world around us, and our place in it. Uncertainty turns to dubiousness, which then turns to disdain, as Bell eventually bemoans, “there’s nothing left to say, ‘cause it’s all over my face. I guess we’re that.” And if your mind resists the power of the beat’s message, the body surely cannot. -JP Basileo

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

After the recent international events, Russia's image would definitely benefit from anything hipper than invading a neighboring country (while pretending it didn't happen). In this context, a new song by Russia-born, NYC based avant-indie composer/producer Olga Bell is just what the doctor ordered. The musician announced her sophomore album 'Krai' scheduled for an April release, inspired by the lesser-known corners of her homeland and written entirely in her native Russian.
Now... we are not very familiar with Russian music, but if it's anything like this song... maybe it's time to delve into it!
Check out single 'PERM KRAI / ПЕРМСКИЙ КРАЙ' - ('Once upon a time, on the river'), streaming below. Translated lyrics here.