Flames & Figures
The Seshen

‘Flames & Figures’ is the second full-length album from The Seshen, whose forward-thinking sound combines synthesizers, drum machines, live percussion and entrancing harmonies for an unmistakable fusion of R&B, synth-pop and electronic music. The long player sees the band on the cusp of a new era; two years in the making, the album marks an evolution in The Seshen’s unique sound.

Full of bright synth swells, infectious bass lines and thumping 808 beats, their music is a counterpoint to lead singer Lalin St. Juste’s lyrical stream of consciousness; ‘Flames & Figures’ explores themes of femininity, power, illusion and loss as she draws on both her personal experiences and the world of her imagination.

The San Francisco Bay Area-based seven-piece are led by Lalin St. Juste and bassist/producer Akiyoshi Ehara. The duo is joined by five remarkable bandmates to create their multidimensional music: vocalist Kasha Rockland, drummer Chris Thalmann, keyboard/synth player Mahesh Rao, percussionist Mirza Kopelman, and sampler Kumar Butler. Through their much-talked-about live shows, and three releases to date (2012’s self-released, eponymous debut LP; and the ‘Unravel’ and ‘Unravel Remixes’ EPs on Tru Thoughts), their distinctive music has gained support from the likes of Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq, Don Letts and Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music), Jason Bentley (KCRW/NPR), OkayPlayer, Earmilk, The Line of Best Fit and Clash.