Agape Featuring Nadia Harris

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Dub, Funk, Reggae, Soul...

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Treading their own path through a diverse spectrum of sounds and life experiences, Agape brings it all together in a collaboration that ignores geographical locations and sound barriers. The sound can be called “DUB” since it’s the element that seems to mostly tie the strings of their prismatic sonic collages. Elements are drawn from their Cultural roots and take new forms.

Agape is not so much about a particular style or brand of music as much as it is about a feeling having much to do with freedom.

The sound simply reflects their upbringing and the environments around them. It’s live, organic and at the same time electronic. Everything is everything; kind of like taking a stroll in their native backyards. Visit a Toronto neighborhood and you will be exposed to a canvas of ancient smells, tastes and sounds that come from all corners of the Earth to find harmony within a modern context. Take a drive around Miami Beach and you will see the symbiotic integration of nature and technology into an aesthetic whole that becomes something of its own. This is more and more what we encounter in most of the world’s major cities. This “melting pot” example is a good way to describe the different elements that have produced and influenced their sound, unintentionally.

It was during the frequent and prolonged stays in Miami that Producer/DJ Erick Paredes met Nadia Harris MaNuff; a Jamaican singer/songwriter who is no stranger to music-making. As she is the daughter of a legendary roots recording artist, It was a perfect match. Her voice is very unique and compliments the music written and sound developed by Erick and brother Patrick since their teens growing up in Toronto. Patrick who is still based out of Toronto is active on all sides of production and has been DJing for over a decade himself. The live band is made up of an all-star cast of musicians.

Hand in glove, Agape has performed with a wide range of musicians for explosive live performances. They have as a band or as DJ’s played at festivals, clubs and live venues in Toronto, Miami, New York, Detroit , Rio de Janeiro, etc... Along side artist such as Francois K, King Britt, Louie Vega, Brazilian Girls, Bugz In The Attic, Thievery Corporation’s Federico Aubele, Seu-Jorge, Jazz icons Medesky, Martin & Wood and more...

Recently they where joined on stage by Grammy nominated artist Talib Kweli to the delight of fans at the Florida Room in Miami.

They have also been collaborating with Miami’s New World Symphony and have twice preformed “symphonic” sets with special arrangements by Sam Hyken and full live string and horn sections to the rave reviews of the audience and participants.

On the visual front they have gathered a good bit of attention with their music video “She really likes it” which was on rotation on Much Music (Canada) and has received glowing reviews. They are currently finishing two more videos for “If Love” and “Row” which are being produced in collaboration with Miccosukee Magazine Tv. “Row” brings to light the natural beauty and environmental issues of the Florida everglades. “If love” was shot in the Favelas of Rio De Janeiro in Brazil with the children of the “Dreams Can Be” urban project. These three videos have a continuing story line and will form a Trilogy.

Recently “Row” won “Best Music Video” Award at the International 2013 ImaginaNative film festival in Toronto (Tiff).

During 2014 and 2015 Nadia has performed several live shows in Jamaica including a performance at “Kingston Dub Club” and a string of shows where she was joined by the legendary Nambo Robinson from the “Skatelites” on trombone. She was also invited to perform on national television in Jamaica (TVJ) on 2 separate occasions.

Agape has also performed in Canada as well as concluded 9 shows in 6 days in Havana Cuba (Nov 2015) performing and collaborating with some of the islands top musicians and artist. Also to note is a special cameo live performance at Miami’s coveted “Dubwise” sharing the night with Jamaican fellow artist “Protoje”.

In anticipation of their first upcoming album, Agape is poised to rise with the times. As borders and walls come down and technology brings new possibilities, new forms emerge to bring expression and a voice to a planet in transition.

Tune in and join us in this journey.