Ep. 15 | LAL is for the community
Film quips cool tones are the climate
Some beg to differ
For red is the warmest colour
No matter the shade, or in the sun
A symbol of love, life, passion, trust
Rebellion, revolution, fear, lust
Where there is music, select the former
Sentiments empowered and connected
Resonant, intersections reflected
Meeting behind the bookshelves
Crates of vinyl or CDs
Sonic architects and archivists
Always original, never thieves
Of ideas, creativity, brewing anew
Precious, unusual, kind, true.
Three letters embody much depth
Of relation, growth, heritage, belief
These songs are a testament
Of lives and stories beneath
LAL - say it with your chest,
this is the sound, their wreath
Ola in conversation with LAL at CONTXT by Trane - August 27, 2026.
LISTEN:
ABOUT LAL:
For over 25 years, LAL has released eight albums, toured internationally, and collaborated with visionary artists across disciplines. today, lal is currently producing their ninth studio album (releasing fall 2026) drawing from baul mysticism, rastafari/reggae, and uk dub traditions, creating a multimedia live experience with ange loft, ness lee, jaek eastcott, viktor kee, and ian de souza.
LAL formed in toronto in 1998 when rosina kazi (bangladeshi/muslim/queer singer‑poet) and nicholas “murr” murray (barbados‑born producer, juno‑winning da grass roots) met working at hmv. they named the band after the bengali word for red. from 2004–2015, ian de souza (indo‑african bassist) added a deep live low end. together they created a signature sound: dreamy, parable‑like lyrics over hard electronic beats.
Their 2008 album deportation – a direct response to post‑9/11 mass deportations – featured 20+ immigrant and indigenous guest artists. it became a manifesto still cited in migrant justice circles. in 2019, dark beings was shortlisted for the polaris music prize. during the pandemic, lal pivoted to visual albums: meteors could come down (2022) and spectacular (2024), both made with filmmaker jose gracia and a team of black, brown, queer, trans artists.
In 2025 lal celebrated their 25th anniversary with self defence, a remix/cover album reimagining their catalog. in 2026 lal signed with la distributor grrrl music, ahead of their new lp release, “a practice of love” out September 18, 2026. beyond recordings, lal runs sound & poetry workshops out of their home studio unit 2 – serving nia, buddies in bad times, parkdale street writers, metrac, and toronto community housing.
Sharing the land:
Sound Travels is produced in Tkaronto (covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit) – it is an honour and privilege to create this work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many Indigenous communities from across Turtle Island.
Sonic Fold Respect Mandate:
Sonic Fold is founded on CommUNITY, all caps on UNITY – we do not tolerate any form of racism, hate, bigotry, sexism and violence. Every conversation is a conversACTION. It is an honour and a privilege to do this work – and a continuous opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you for sharing this with me, and those who listen.
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Sound Travels is curated, hosted, produced, photographed, edited by: Ola Mazzuca/ olasconola Sonic Fold