Soulstice is futuristic electronic soul.
"Had Sade kept up with the innovations of DJ culture during her eight–year hiatus, her new material would probably have sounded something like Soulstice" –CMJ
"Soulstice has created an enthralling post–club disc merging electronic ingenuity with adept organic instrumentation" –Billboard
"Futuristic, club–ready beats with earthy, jazz–inflected vocals" –VIBE
Unquestionably alive, the music of Soulstice echoes of the past while remaining transfixed on the possibilities of tomorrow. Soulstice is futuristic electronic soul. Consisting of aural innovators Andy Caldwell and Gabriel Rene on keyboards, deck master Mei–Lwun Yee on turntables and songbird Gina Rene on vocals, Soulstice have released a string of sought after house and d&b classics including "Tenderly" and "Lovely." Featuring remix work by Kevin Yost, Johnny Fiasco and Acetate these 12"s have brought Soulstice into clubs worldwide on the playlists of notable artists such as Rainer Truby, DJ Garth, Mark Farina and Q Burns Abstract Message. Stateside, their debut album Illusion has garnered huge radio support from Jason Bentley and Kevin Lincoln, making Soulstice one of KCRW´s most requested artists.
In 1989 Gabriel and Mei–Lwun were working on a hip–hop track in the Rene family studio. "The track was cool," says Gabriel, "but Mei–Lwun and I couldn´t rap." They asked little sister Gina to give it a try, and the rest is history. It wasn´t till some time later that Soulstice finally materialized after collaboration between Andy and Gabriel in 1995. "I knew the first time I worked on a track with Gabe that this was right. Making music with my brother was where I was supposed to be. The chemistry between all of us was so obvious and it was such a natural high whenever we´d get together." reflects Gina.
Approaching production from a collaborative standpoint, Soulstice often developed many of the sounds and ideas they used from the freestyle sessions they originally became known for. Soulstice continued to refine their sound with emotive song writing and detailed arrangements. From playing to a few hundred people at 111 Minna St to playing sold out shows at the 1200 capacity historic Fillmore Theatre, SF, Soulstice have come a long way in their musical journey. "We live and breathe our music, everything comes from us. The song is king, it´s all about the lyrics." says Andy. "Like a lyrical journal, I lay out my experiences and melodies to connect to the present in our music. I get the feeling that the whole band´s lyrical ability to be so honest about the struggle of growing into adulthood really brings the listener in." describes Gina.
The debut album "Illusion" is a true collective work of art. Five years in the making, Soulstice emerge as the driving force behind putting the music back into electronica. "Using the electronic medium does not mean that the music can´t be organic," explains Andy, "there is more to electronic music than beats and samples." As an American band in a widely European genre of dance music, Soulstice are pioneering the stateside convergence in the sophistication of electronic music. "The creative process that drives Soulstice, now 5 years later, is more disciplinary. Songwriting is the main focus and we have input where it used to be me writing the majority of lyrics/melodies. It´s exciting to open up the arena, for example, Mei–Lwun shares his poetic skills or I´d suggest a break beat." says Gina.
With headlining the Sounds of Om World Tour beginning in March, releasing a number of extremely sought after remixes, Gina´s voice blessing numerous 12" singles throughout the Om family, and smoking DJ club nights with Gabriel, Mei–Lwun, and Andy, the sky is the limit for Soulstice. "Music is everything. It´s like my love, my life partner. It´s also about healing; it´s therapy. I love it and I know it´s healing other people." explains Gina. Soulstice´s debut album "Illusion" on San Francisco´s Om Records is in stores now.
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