All-star Perth trio Turiya team up for blissful new release

All-star Perth trio Turiya are set to unveil their highly-anticipated debut album, Bliss, on Friday, June 28.

Drawing inspiration from the ethereal harp glissandos and eclectic jazz compositions of American jazz composer and spiritual luminary Alice Coltrane, the album invites listeners to transcend the ordinary for 50 minutes of musical ‘Bliss’.

Featuring Michelle Smith on harp, Kate Pass on double bass, and Talya Valenti on drums, the trio will celebrate the new album with a launch show at The Rechabite on Thursday, July 4.

Forming in 2020, Turiya emerged from the collaboration of three established musicians and close friends. Kate and Talya’s musical bond traces back to their days as students at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, while Kate and Michelle’s connection spans over a decade.

“In Hindu philosophy, Turiya represents the true self,” said harpist Michelle Smith about their band name. “Our main inspiration, Alice Coltrane, adopted the name ‘Turiya’, embodying both a Hindu spiritual leader and an extraordinary jazz harpist.”

Individually, each member of Turiya brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the project.

Kate Pass, an award-winning bassist currently on scholarship at The New School in New York, leads the Kohesia Ensemble, fusing Persian music with jazz. Her performances span prestigious venues worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and festivals across continents.

Talya Valenti, a highly accomplished drummer with nominations from the NLMA and multiple WAM Awards, has toured nationally and internationally with acclaimed acts such as Methyl Ethel, Stella Donnelly, and Songs for Freedom and has played at major events including Glastonbury Festival and Fuji Rock.

Michelle Smith, mentored by jazz harpist Deborah Henson-Conant and trained at Berklee College of Music, has captivated audiences across Australia and the USA with her solo harp performances and collaborations with ARIA Award-winners Karnivool and hip-hop artist Mathas.

Bliss emerged from casual improv sessions during the COVID lockdowns, which expanded into collaborative songwriting, with all three members contributing tracks to the album. Their sold-out debut at the 2021 FringeWorld Festival marked the beginning of their journey, with subsequent performances at RTRFM 92.1’s Courtyard Club and Fremantle Arts Centre’s Sunday Music series.

Turiya’s debut album, Bliss, is out on Friday, June 28, 2024, with vinyl available for pre-order on Bandcamp. Turiya play The Rechabite on Thursday, July 4. For more info and to buy tickets, head to therechabite.com.au