Lotus and Dagger is a transformative musical project developed by Aditya Prakash during his residency at Figureight Records. Upon completion, the album will feature eight to nine original compositions that merge structured songwriting with improvisational elements. Produced by Grammy-award-winning artists William Brittelle and Shahzad Ismaily and supported by the collaborative efforts of a diverse group of New York-based musicians, Lotus and Dagger promises to be a deeply reflective musical journey that challenges and expands traditional musical boundaries. 

Conceptual Framework: The imagery of the lotus and the dagger serves as a central motif for the project, symbolizing the pain and beauty inherent in the human experience. The dagger represents life's harsh challenges, while the lotus symbolizes the beauty of nature and the human experience. This metaphor drives the album's themes, capturing the tension between inner turmoil and self-acceptance. Note: The title also references a secret group of revolutionaries led by Aurobindo Ghosh, a mystic who fought for India’s freedom from British colonial rule. 

Musical Composition and Arrangement: Lotus and Dagger marks a notable evolution in Prakash's style, integrating more defined song structures with improvisational elements. This synthesis reflects a balance between the rigid frameworks of classical music traditions and the free-flowing nature of improvisation, mirroring the project's thematic interplay of struggle and liberation.

Collaboration Dynamics: Lotus and Dagger album, produced by William Brittelle and co-produced by Shahzad Ismaily, illustrates the power of collaboration. It brings together a diverse group of artists, each pushing the limits of their instruments and genres. The team, composed of musicians like Erika Dohi (piano), Paul Wiancko (cello), Timo Volbrecht (saxophone), and others, was selected for their ability to transcend traditional musical boundaries. This collaborative environment, enriched by the varying backgrounds of the musicians, was crucial in achieving the innovative sound of the album.

Project Development: Figureight Records has generously supported and resourced the project to date with studio time, artistic personnel, producing, and recording. While the project is well underway, there is more composing, arranging, producing, and recording. We seek a partner to commission the remaining music composition, production, and completion of Lotus and Dagger, as well as a tour to launch the album.