Rafiq Bhatia

Rafiq Bhatia (born 21 August 1987) is an American musician, composer, guitarist, and producer. He is the guitarist and fellow producer of the American experimental rock band Son Lux, having been a touring member prior.

Rafiq Bhatia
Bhatia in 2016
Background information
Born (1987-08-21) August 21, 1987
Hickory, North Carolina, United States
GenresExperimental
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Associated actsSon Lux
Websiterafiqbhatia.com

As a solo artist, he has recorded three solo albums Yes it Will (2012), Strata (2012), and Breaking English (2018). Bhatia has also worked with musicians Olga Bell, Sam Dew, Marcus Gilmore, Billy Hart, Heems, Helado Negro, Vijay Iyer, Glenn Kotche, Valgeir Sigurðsson, Moses Sumney, and David Virelles.

Career

A first-generation American of East African Indian descent, Bhatia was born in Hickory, North Carolina and grew up in Raleigh.[1] His interest in music began with two inspirations: his grandfather’s reedy, a capella renditions of Ginans, and listening to gangster rap on the radio. He began playing guitar in high school.[2]

After graduating from Oberlin College with a degree in neuroscience and economics, in 2010 Bhatia moved to Brooklyn, where he has remained. The composer-guitarist's first two albums, Strata and Yes It Will, were described as “transcending real sound in real time with the unexpected,” [3] and as “approximating life in the information age … profuse, immersive and immense.”[4]

In 2014, Bhatia and drummer Ian Chang became members of Son Lux, expanding the former solo project of Ryan Lott into a trio. They have since been heralded as "the world's most lethal band",[5] and described as "thrilling... an ideal synthesis of contemporary forms".[6] In the past few years, Son Lux has written, recorded, and released the album Bones and its companion EP Stranger Forms and have given over 300 performances in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Bhatia has recorded with Lorde, Sufjan Stevens, Heems, and David Virelles, and on the soundtracks to the films The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Air, and Afflicted. He has also recorded with members of the chamber ensembles International Contemporary Ensemble, JACK Quartet, and Alarm Will Sound.

Discography

As Rafiq Bhatia
  • Strata EP (2012) — digital
  • Yes It Will (2012) — 12" vinyl, CD, digital
  • Breaking English (2018) — 12" vinyl, CD, digital

With Son Lux

With other artists

Soundtracks
  • Son Lux, Original Music From and Inspired By: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2014) — digital — Glassnote
  • Edo Van Breemen – AIR (Original Motion Picture Score) (2015) — LP, CD, digital — Nettwerk
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References
  1. Ryan, M. Sean. "Hash Magazine" (PDF). Fall-Winter (6): 32–39. Retrieved 25 July 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Ratliff, Ben (25 November 2013). "Sachal Jazz Ensemble Joins Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra". The New York Times.
  3. Ratliff, Ben (9 September 2012). "Rafiq Bhatia and Friends at Cameo Gallery". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  4. Richards, Chris (23 August 2013). "Rafiq Bhatia and a new vintage of jazz". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  5. "SXSW 2015 Wrap-Up: Our Favorite Discoveries And Memorable Moments". NPR.org. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  6. Fusilli, Jim (30 March 2015). "Lessons in Team Work and Improvisation". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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