Amidst the stunning beauty of the Jali Pavilion at the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, this powerful live performance intimately explores the human experience through song. “The Prisoners Escape,” “WYKYK,” “At Last,” “Far, Far Away,” and “We Shall Prosper” delve into themes of war, freedom, and individuality, as trust and humanity are explored. Each piece is an invitation to reflect on our connections with ourselves and the world around us.
Songs Performed:
00:00 XYE - The Prisoner's Escape
02:58 XYE - WYKYK
05:49 XYE - At Last!
10:04 ASADI - Far Far Away
13:03 ASADI - We Shall Prosper
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.
Subscribe and Follow the Residency:
@hi_shangrila | @AsadiMusic | @itsxye
About XYE:
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 Zeros BoneLab to Ubisoft’s 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.
About ASADI:
ASADI is a producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist dedicated to celebrating his rich heritage through genre-bending sound and masterful live performances. Known for his innovative blend of traditional instruments like the Arabic oud, Persian setar, Kurdish tambour, Turkish saz, and Sufi daf with cutting-edge electronic beats, he has redefined the boundaries of global music while honoring the traditions that inspire him.
With two national tours and over 30 major festival appearances, including Electric Forest, Lightning in a Bottle, and Phoenix Lights, ASADI has built an impressive career. Recently, he made his mark in gaming by composing the score for Ubisoft’s The Rogue: Prince of Persia, marking his debut as a composer in AAA gaming and cementing his role as a groundbreaking artist in both worlds.
In addition to his performances, ASADI has collaborated with industry giants like Red Bull, Native Instruments, ROLI, and BandLab, furthering his mission to bridge cultures through music. Whether composing innovative tracks or mesmerizing audiences with his drumpad mastery, ASADI continues to push boundaries while proudly representing the cultures that inspire and shape him.
About the Jali Pavilion at Shangri La:
Above the marble jali (carved screens) of the Mughal Gallery is the Jali Pavilion. The jali represent the mastery of marble carving techniques by the craftspeople of Delhi and Agra, India, during the 1930s, displaying a sublime synthesis of medium, technique, design, and function. The jali are considered by experts around the world to be the premier example of the craft.
These jali were commissioned by Doris Duke during her honeymoon in 1935 and served as the inspiration for creating Shangri La as an architectural marvel inspired by the Islamic world. The first set of jali arrived broken, resulting in Duke commissioning replacements. The fragments of the original commission were then pieced together to construct the Jali Pavilion as a private space on the roof that served as a sitting area-an innovative use of salvaged materials conceived by Duke.