Lara Somogyi – ! (Expansion)

By: Ilaria Masselli

Q) I really love music and instruments. When did you start playing such a wonderful instrument like the harp?

A) I started playing the harp in elementary when they magically offered a small harp in my school.  I was instantly transfixed by the timbre and resonance of the strings and was immediately in love.  I had some piano background and was able to pick out solfège notes and instantly felt as though I had to learn this magical instrument.

Q) You will release your new album ! Expansion on October 20th, with Mercury KX. It seems like track seed is the start of your personal growth. How important is for you to share your personal growth with your fans?

A) Yes, I’m so elated to have ! (Expansion) out in the world on Oct 20th!  There are 10 new tracks that are all expansions, orchestral reworks and artist remixes from the original ! album released last year.  I’m so excited to have these new perspectives on the pieces and feel so honored to have them out in such a loving home as MercuryKX.  “self.seed” definitely was a very poignant moment in my compositional growth and is a very special piece to me.  It’s really important to share growth and evolution with listeners as it gives a window into the tonality and sonic offerings of the composition.  It perhaps can share a viewpoint of the creation or evolution of the piece to shift their experience when listening.

Q) When it comes to songwriting, do you need an idea for a beat/music before you craft your harp talents around it?

A) I usually sit at the harp when beginning a composition and let my fingers flow freely.  Oftentimes I’ll be recording and something will flow naturally, instinctually and in an improvisatory nature, and I can then go back to the recording and expand upon ideas.  Sometimes I write linearly and in layers or sometimes it can be inspired by an fx pedal or particular electronic addition I have running from the harp.  There are so many sonic tools and ways you can manipulate the sound – it’s endlessly inspiring for me.

Q) What was the most difficult track and what was the most personal to record and why?

A) I wouldn’t say there was a most difficult, because even if there were challenging aspects (capturing the right harp tone in the room, or the perfect warm mix, etc.) it’s all extremely joyful to be making music in this way, and I approach everything with curiosity and excitement.  If we faced a challenge, it was a thrill to uncover why and come up with a creative and out-of-the box solution.  I think “breathwork (expansion)” was a very personal one to record for this album as I was breathing with the music and almost directly through the fingers when recording.  It felt like a very meditative recording moment of pure breath and mindfulness.

Q) What is the most important emotion that you want to share with this new album?

A) The most important emotion I would love to share is definitely the one in the title, the spirit of this entire release; expanse.  My original ! album was meant to evoke a shift of perspective and I’d love for this album to be a continuation of that perspective shift with that feeling of expanse and the way you might experience and hear the harp.

Q) From your personal point of view, what does it mean to you to be able to collaborate with an entire orchestra and with artists like Kinnship, CARM & Trever Hagen, Joviale and Cyrus Reynolds?

A) It is such a dream to collaborate with the artists on this record. I’m deeply inspired by all of their work and am big admirers of their art, so having their reinterpretations of my compositions into their own voices truly means so much.  Hearing all of the different versions was truly thrilling and I’m incredibly grateful to the other artists who lent their artistry to this record!

Q) Out of personal curiosity, why is there an exclamation point before the title of the album?

A) The title of the original album is ! – so the “expansion” is just an expansion on that with all of the new string reworks, remixes and expansions on the compositions.

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners who explore ! Expansion – a message or an emotion?

A) The original record is titled “!” to evoke a shift in tone with the listener, convey a strong feeling or a change of expression in emotion. And with this extended record, ! (Expansion), I really wanted to further capture that shift with sonic exploration. I find true comfort in vast sonic expanses and all of these compositions were written with that feeling that I turn to musically and take the listener to a place where they may not be used to experiencing the harp. Having all of the reworks and new versions are definitely an extension of that feeling.

Q) If you could give some advice to anyone who wants to start playing the harp, what would it be?

A) Follow your enchantment in life – and listen to your inner feeling of joy. The harp is such a beautiful instrument with such sonic variety, and it is such a joy to play. The strings resonate against your body and it’s a sensory experience that is palpable in many ways.  If it’s calling to you – go for it.

Q) I want to say thank you because listening to your music I found an inner peace. What does it mean to you to create a safe place for your fans through your music?

A) It’s my ultimate hope to share that feeling for the listener – that makes me so happy to hear you say. Music is so powerful that you can really channel a feeling and intention to someone else, to create a new sonic space for someone to walk through within their lives.  It means everything hopefully to create a safe space of peace and expanse.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) Thank you so much for listening to this music <3 It truly means the world and I hope that it provides a sense of expanse and experience of the harp in a new way.