September 19, 2020The Biophilia Records Face MaskMasks are recommended by the CDC as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. Respiratory droplets play a significant role in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies shows that masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.
COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of masks is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain. CDC’s recommendations for masks will be updated as new scientific evidence becomes available. Link to buy here: https://biophiliarecords.bandcamp.com/merch/biophilia-records-face-masksclick here to read more...
April 22, 2020BIOPHILIA RECORDS FESTIVALWe kick off the inaugural Biophilia Records Festival in the midst of unprecedented uncertainty and global seclusion, but you can take a journey with us to the great outdoors and feel "Alive in the Wilderness" as Biophilia Records celebrates the 50th Anniversary of EARTHDAY with Endless Field.
Guitarist Jesse Lewis and bassist Ike Sturm offer songs and improvisations of transcendent beauty — recorded live in the desert wilderness of Southern Utah
All album proceeds to benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council
When Endless Field, the “ambient Americana” (NPR) acoustic duo of guitarist Jesse Lewis and bassist Ike Sturm, released its eponymous debut on Biophilia in 2017, the album was hailed by Downbeat for its “awe-inspired tranquility,” evoking “distant horizons and airy, windswept melodies.” Endless Field received a four-star review and was included among Downbeat’s Best of 2017.
“Distant horizons” indeed: when Lewis and Sturm contemplated their follow-up effort, they hatched plans for an album recorded wholly outdoors, in remote locations of rare and stunning beauty. After arduous logistical planning, they ventured into the sweeping, endangered wilderness of Southern Utah to record Alive in the Wilderness, their second Biophilia release.
Although more artists will be confirmed soon, these are the confirmed online events:
April 22- Endless Field
April 26 - Fabian Almazan
May 1st- Adam O’Farrill
May 2nd- Kim Anderson
May 3rd- Maria Grand
May 8th- Lara Bello
May 9th- Linda May Han Oh
May 10th- Desmond White
May 13th- Justin Brown
May 20th- Rajna Swaminathan
May 21st- Sara Serpa click here to read more...
March 29, 2020Covid 19 VirusGreetings Friends,
My heart goes out to the thousands of humans suffering throughout the world during these difficult times. I truly hope that you and your loved ones are all well.
Biophilia Records hinted at some pretty big news a week ago— I would like to update you on some of the actions we have taken in response to the Coronavirus:
We were enthusiastically on track to launch the inaugural Biophilia Records Festival at The Jazz Gallery in New York City, which was scheduled to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, from April 22nd to May 2nd. This festival was set to have 13 performances featuring all of our Biophilia Records Artists and an explosive new band that is set to release its debut album with us.
We had teamed up with Riverkeeper and organized a public volunteering event in which all of our fans were invited to join artists including Linda May Han Oh and myself in cleaning up the Hudson River on the morning of May 2nd, culminating with two sets of music from both of our bands at The Jazz Gallery that same night to close out the festival. Although we hope that things improve, it is more likely that we will postpone the entire event.
I have been brainstorming a way to help both our fans and our artists. On the one hand, our artists are facing months of no pay; if they are lucky, they are being forced to dip into any savings they may have as a result of lost touring income. On the other hand, society needs the solace that art and music have to offer, but not at the cost of having to spend money that could go towards feeding our families. So here is what Biophilia will do:
Every couple days, one album from our catalog will be made available for FREE or pay what you like/can afford via Bandcamp— this includes digital and Biopholio™ formats. Please be on the lookout for social media announcements and email newsletters to find out which albums will be featured and when. By no means are we asking for a handout, but if you have the means to donate, your money would flow directly to the artist(s) you support. Biophilia Records won’t keep a penny.
If you prefer to donate to all of our artists collectively rather than individually, Biophilia Records is taking donations via PayPal (one time donation) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=9Rwv_vVxXl2hNgJ3C47WnenxBfv4QFUBI419fXytHaKbQsomkKOrl0u1dAB_5FXZJ3Us-W&country.x=US&locale.x=US or Patreon (monthly) https://www.patreon.com/biophiliarecords on behalf of all of our artists to assist those who need help paying their rent, buying food or maintaining a basic existence.
Additionally, for all of our fellow musicians reading this, if you are being impacted by the Coronavirus crisis and need support, the GRAMMYs’ MusiCares has expanded their services to include lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or performances resulting from the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Please visit https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/covid-19-relief-fund-faq
We must respond to this crisis with courage over fear and empathy over hysteria.
Thank you as always,
-Fabian Almazan
Founder/Director, Biophilia Recordshttps://www.patreon.com/biophiliarecords
February 21, 2019We are excited to welcome mrudangam player/composer Rajna Swaminathan to the Biophilia Records familBandcamp Digital Album: https://rajnaswaminathan.bandcamp.com/album/of-agency-and-abstraction
Biopholio™: https://rajnaswaminathan.bandcamp.com/merch/of-agency-and-abstraction
Stay tuned for more album releases in 2019... March 3, 2018Biophilia Artists volunteer!Biophilia artists got their hands dirty and joined in with the community to help out with the composting efforts of a wonderful organization called the Lower East Side Ecology Centerhttps://www.lesecologycenter.org/
December 22, 2017NRDC Article on Fabian Almazan and Biophilia RecordsSpinning Records Without the Vinyl
Jazz pianist Fabian Almazan started Biophilia Records to make great music—and environmental change.click here to read more...
September 27, 2017Biophilia Artists and Fans Volunteer!Fans joined in on September 15th when Biophilia Records joined forces with the Brooklyn Park Conservancy to clean up the marsh lands in Brooklyn.
January 12, 2017Biophilia Records participates in an environmental justice panel hosted by the NRDC during WinterJazBiophilia Records founder Fabian Almazan participates in a panel discussion dealing with environmental justice and the music industry during the 2017 WInterJazz Fest in New York CIty, hosted by the NRDC.
December 14, 2016Biophilia Records featured on the Village Voice"I felt I had to do this from just a moral perspective," Fabian Almazan, the founder of Biophilia, tells the Voice. "The financial risk is worth it. I find it rewarding and grounding."
— Almazan founded his slowly in 2011 and will ramp it up in 2017 — but 2016 was a banner year for a couple.click here to read more...
November 12, 2016Biophilia Artists volunteer with NYC Trees!We're very proud of our biophilians Ike Sturm, Lara Bello and Kyle Saulnier. These three generous and talented musicians volunteered their time to assist the wonderful organization, Trees NY to cultivate the soil, un-compacted the mulch in the tree beds, cleared out the trash, and planted bulbs.
September 30, 2016Rhizome joins forces with InspireCorps at P.S. 81 in Brooklyn, NYFabian Almazan and his Rhizome ensemble came to PS81 on Friday, September 30th
They listened, squirmy but attentive to the jazz ensemble in front of them... :)
It was a beautiful performance for a group of young eager students with many questions. Thank you to Inspire Corps and Chamber Music America for making this possible!click here to read more...
September 11, 2016Volunteering with Trees New YorkWe had a great time alongside some of our favorite people (who happen to be Biophilians) Jessie Wu, Melvis Santa and Bryan Copeland volunteering with Trees New York this weekend!
Tomorrow, Tuesday night, father Aardvark and us Aardvarks will be performing at Shapeshifter. I LOVE this band. Hope to see you there!
August 2, 2016Biophilia artists teaching about the water cycle with the BioBus!We're so proud and inspired by current and future Biophilia Records artists Bryan Copeland , Andrea Wood and Melvis Santa ... Here are some beautiful pictures (courtesy of Jessie Wu ) from them at the BioBus base (wonderful organization- check them out at http://www.biobus.org/) where they helped a group of young girls learn about the water cycle through the use of music.
When we started this label a couple of years ago, we wanted it to be a home for musicians who not only create meaningful, imaginative music, but also care deeply about the environment. I feel so unbelievably fortunate to have met and heard all of these wonderful human beings and musicians. Hope you all have a great weekend! July 23, 2016Volunteering with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.Today, Biophilia Records artists and friends got together once again for another fulfilling and fun day of volunteering with New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
When I started this label a couple of years ago, I wanted it to be a home for musicians who not only create meaningful, imaginative music, but also care deeply about the environment. I feel so unbelievably fortunate to have met and heard all of these wonderful human beings and musicians. Hope you all have a great weekend!click here to read more...
May 7, 20165th Annual RiverKeeper SweepToday, for the first time, a couple of us Biophilia Artists got together and volunteered to participate in the 5th annual RiverKeeper Sweep, in collaboration with the Manhattan Wetlands and Wildlife Association and Conservancy North. We had a great time cleaning Inwood's North Cove on the Harlem River. I was joined by three Biophilia artists with incredibly unique voices, Jesse Lewis, Bryan Copeland and Desmond White. We had a great time and will be getting together again in the near future!
- Fabian Almazanhttps://www.facebook.com/BiophiliaRecords
