Canadian independent artist Ember Swift had always dreamed of being in Chin… Read Full Bio ↴Canadian independent artist Ember Swift had always dreamed of being in China, and after spending over twelve months in Beijing, she has developed a new body of work reflecting her Eastern experiences. She has called this new project LENTIC. Lentic reflects a changing pace for this busy artist, as it means “of or related to or living in still waters,” the opposite to the literal meaning of her given name (fire and speed). It is a brand new body of work and a new beginning for this established name in Canadian music.

Working with producer Tim Rideout of FibiiSonic Studio in Montreal, Lentic is a refreshing step in a new direction – electronic music meets folk – and is truly a sonic representation of two countries: China and Canada. This “folktronic” project is both organic (acoustic and traditional) and electronic (beats and grooves). LENTIC features Chinese instrumentation (specifically the guzheng), lyrics in both Mandarin and English, and, consistent with Ember Swift’s musical outpourings, several tips of the hat to diverse styles and musical eras within the arrangements. LENTIC truly reflects a new global reality of cultural exchange, and particularly China, a country that embodies the collision between East and West, ancient and modern.

With a degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, Ember Swift had a plan to eventually make it to China and, unsurprisingly, she followed through on her intentions. She arrived in China in 2007 and has been returning ever since, very naturally straddling life in both countries and soaking in the inspirations that such a life provides. In her album statement, she wrote the words: “When I first came to China in April of 2007, I knew I had been there before. There must be few experiences as powerful as past-life memories. It washed over me as gently and matter-of-factly as light envelops morning leaving me forever changed... What we have been and what we will be is entirely what we are. No regrets, only gratitude. “
LENTIC is just the latest project for this busy independent artist, as Ember has been producing albums and touring nationally and internationally since 1996 and has released nine albums and one DVD project through her own record label, Few’ll Ignite Sound. Having toured North America, Australia, New Caledonia and now China, this artist has never been uncomfortable exploring new territories. She believes in cross-cultural exchange, especially in the arts. With LENTIC, Ember hopes to enable more understanding of the Chinese culture by Canadian (and other Western) listeners and conversely, the same increased understanding of Western culture by Chinese listeners. After all, she says, “we’re all in this rapidly changing world together.”

Ember is well known for her political and social activism, business acumen and her commitment to the ideal: “independent by identity, not default.” Besides her award-winning music performances and productions, she is regularly asked to speak and/or conduct workshops on various topics related to having a career in the arts. To name a few, she was a “foreign expert” at the MIDI school of music in Beijing in the fall of 2008, teaching composition and song writing; She also served as a facilitator at the Canada Council Workshop Series entitled “On the Road” alongside of Gary Cristall, (formerly of Canada Council and currently an independent music manager); she was part of the University of Rhode Island Colloquium Series about art and social justice as both a performer and a guest lecturer; she was featured in the 2006 documentary film by Montreal filmmaker Dave Cool (Stand Alone Records) called “What is Indie?” – a film that has now been picked up The National Film Board of Canada; she was asked to speak at the Humber College Songwriting Workshop Series in July 2007; and she served on the faculty of the same Humber College Songwriting Workshop week in July of 2008, alongside of Rick Emmitt, Emm Gryner, James Linderman, Terrence Gowan and many other industry professionals.

Look for the new project, LENTIC, to be released formally in late April and early May, 2009.