What The Hell Is Lapis Lazuli?

June 26, 1998

Lapis Lazuli? What the hell does Lapis Lazuli mean? Well, it means blue rock and is a semi precious mineral (supposedly enhancing mental health and increasing psychic abilities), but the Lapis Lazuli I'm tellin' you about is a band - a damn fine band currently based out of my favorite tourist trap, Orlando.

I won't bore you with the details, but I've been hearing about the band for about two and half years now, so when I saw that they were playing the Sapphire (huh, Lapis and Sapphire, there's got to be a bad joke here somewhere), I decided to finally check out a live show. I got in touch with the band via email and arranged for an interview, mostly so I could find out what Lapis Lazuli means. I never did ask and had to research the subject before writing this story. The band, as it turns out, is from California, where all four members (Joe, Alex, Paul and Dave) grew up and actually learned to play their instruments together. They've been together ever since (that's thirteen years), and you can really tell. They are tight. I had to ask what possessed the band to move FROM California TO Orlando, and Joe told me that it had to do with a family business. Now I'm all for supporting the local music scene and everyone's gotta eat, but I hope that family's last name is Gates to make a move like that.

The music I was treated with when the band took the stage is very difficult to describe. Lapis' songs are moody but energetic, rhythmic but dark and, as I already mentioned, tight. I hate doing this, but in this case I think it's appropriate - the best way to convey the experience of hearing Lapis Lazuli is to say they have sound similar to The Cure but have moved beyond the 'ambiance rock' genre. There's a real kick to their music. The show may not have increased my psychic abilities, but it did improve my mental health. I left smiling, though wanting more - it was almost a tease. And one more thing before I tell you about the opening band, Harry Nash... Lapis Lazuli's cd, 'Over Souled' is one of the best local music cds I've heard. The songs are great (obviously well rehearsed), and the production quality is phenomenal. You just don't see that level of production quality in local music cds (which goes to show that it can be done right without dropping a boatload of cash). Rumor has it another cd is on the way. I can't wait.

The opening band, Harry Nash, was entertaining in their own right. Their major attributes are youth, energy and presence. They jumped around on stage throughout their set and made it difficult to not get up and dance. While they had some originals that I liked, my favorite song they played was a cover of 'Lola', it was unexpected from the rather young band (I think the eldest member is 21), and they did a good job of it. My cohort that evening really digs Harry Nash and describes their sound as hard-edged British pop. I'll catch them again should I get the chance.

J.D. Ashcraft
Born in 1880 to a coal miner and an alligator wrestler, I came to Orlando after the great depression to take part in the new media revolution that was television. Now, some 50 years later, I am still active in new media via The Slant. Der wiesel ist in der flub!.