The Smokering (band)

The Smokering is the Los Angeles, Ca.-based music production duo Ed Vichnick and Jason D. Kuhar. Their music blends elements of Trip Hop, Downtempo, Classical, and World Music with a Lounge aesthetic.

History

The Smokering was formed in January 2005. They produced 4 studio albums that year: "Escape From Van Nuys", "Fall Classic", "Poder A Le Gente", and "Tropicalifornia".

In 2006 The Smokering released the classic "13" in 2006. Four additional albums were created that year, notably "La La Land", which yeilded two of The Smokering's most well received songs, "Freshoutdabox" and "Sativa".

Over the next year and a half Ed & Jason would work with a handfull of established artists including Lumis (Bazerk, Pigface), David "Mavis" Senescu (Cynic, ONLY), and bassist Ray Burke (Bruce Dickinson, Live After Death).

In 2007 "Blacklight District" was released. This album defined the duo and realized their distinct “soundtrack" vibe. They would record 2 more albums that year: "The Motherboard Connection" and "Floatation Device".

By 2008 the duo had transformed into group form with Lumis on turntables and vocals, Ray Burke on bass, and Leanna Burke & Larry Foster on percussion. This version of The Smokering performed 4 shows that year.

In early 2009 The Smokering returned to the studio to create their 13th studio album, "Colorformed". Chillout, funk, trip hop, r&b, dub reggae, and even a touch of smooth jazz can be heard on this album.

September 2009 the compilation '05 - '09 was released and features choice tracks from their first 13 albums.

The Smokering collaborated with Los Angeles based dj/emcee Lumis on the track "Before The World Was Digital". It was recorded for "Into The Vortex, Volume 2", an IDM compilation released by Global Vortex Records in 2010. The song also aired on Los Angeles radio station 90.7FM KPFK's "Breakbeats & Rhymes" Radio Show on September 5th, 2010.

Fall 2010 brought new music from The Smokering. The self-produced "Mellow Majestic" album offers a sophisticated blend of old school and nu-skool trip hop.

The first installment of a new mixtape series by The Smokering is scheduled for release in Spring 2011.

Discography

Albums

  • Escape From Van Nuys (2005)
  • Fall Classic (2005)
  • Poder A Le Gente (2005)
  • Tropicalifornia (2005)
  • World War IV (2006)
  • Musaic (2006)
  • 13 (2006)
  • Scorpittarius (2006)
  • La La Land (2006)
  • Motherboard Connection (2007)
  • Floatation Device (2007)
  • Blacklight District (2008)
  • Colorformed (2009)
  • Mellow Majestic (2010)

Compilations

  • '05-'09 (2009)
  • Giuce Clothing Presents: Not From Concentrate Redux Mixtape (2010)

Collaborations

  • Before The World Was Digital with Lumis (2010)

es:The Smokering