Taleen Kali. Photo by Kris Balocca
Los Angeles, a city buzzing with electric energy and untold tales, plays host to the enigmatic alternative rock artist, Taleen Kali. Known among Southern California’s music aficionados for her work with the “flower punk” band TÜLIPS, Kali weaves melodies that glimmer like stardust in the twilight sky yet possess the audacity of a neon sign flickering defiantly through the fog-laden veil of night. Her compositions intricately interlace the stories of her Armenian heritage, with nods to her Lebanese and Ethiopian roots, creating a harmonious blend that marries the ancient rhythms of her lineage with the rebellious beats of modern subcultures.
Now, she announces a new offering to her fans ahead of her headline appearance at Dum Dum Fest on June 22 and an upcoming support tour with Ringo Deathstarr: a cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Ava Adore” from their 1998 album Adore.
The song’s dark, seductive lyrics paired with an electronic twist marked a departure from Smashing Pumpkins’ grungy roots. Billy Corgan’s haunting vocals and atmospheric production created a gothic romance with a hint of melancholy; a love letter written in shadows, wrapped in a cloak of moody brilliance.
In Kali’s rendition, her fierce femme vocals oscillate between powerful and ethereal, accompanied by heavy drums and swirling guitar. Listen to and order below via Bandcamp, or pre-save on Spotify:
Beyond her musical endeavors, Kali emerges as the driving force behind the avant-garde Dum Dum Records and the esteemed DUM DUM Zine, platforms that transcend the mere production of music and literature. Kali delves into the realm of the mystical, embracing her role as a sound healer. Through her guided group meditations, she offers a sanctuary for the soul, a space where the frenetic energy of the city gives way to serene introspection. In 2021, she briefly veered from her established path of psychedelic punk to explore the tranquil waters of sound healing with her album Songs For Meditation, serving as a bridge between the worlds of sonic rebellion and meditative harmony.
2023 marked a significant feather in this accomplished polymath’s cap with the release of her first full-length album, Flower Of Life, via Dum Dum Records. Noteworthy names like The Smashing Pumpkins’ Jeff Schroeder and Josiah Mazzaschi added their magic at The Cave Studio to this pièce de résistance.
Flower Of Death is the remix album of Flower Of Life. This collection, released on the album’s one-year anniversary, features ten artists across goth, shoegaze, post-punk, and psych-rock. Contributors include Male Tears, Astrobrite, Algiers, and more!
Taleen Kali will be performing at Dum Dum Fest on June 22 at The Echo in Los Angeles with Sacred Skin and Dildox. Purchase tickets here.
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