TRMBA by INSULA

INSULA • noun • /ˌɪn.sjəˈlæ/

Latin term meaning island.

Tromba
Definition: Malagasy concept of an evil spirit ceremoniously invoked

TRMBA, keeping true to its namesake , is a ritualistic journey with influences that travel through time and space . Rooted deep in the future Maloya movement of his native land Reunion Island , INSULA was a project created by producer Mickael Gravina that sought to transport its listener to an island where the past and future of Creole history merge . As a result , a utopia is created where the line between science and culture no longer exists . Representing this , the project channels various traditional influences ranging from Creole and African to even Asian but does not hold back from showcasing its electronic elements.

This world was birthed during Mickael's visit to the red island , Madagascar in 2019 which led him to reconnect with his roots and imagine an afro-futurist inspired timeline where Creole culture reached the stars . The Malagasy ceremony of invoking spirits not only was an influence on the sound and overall aesthetic of the project but also reminded Mickael of a South American legend who he would then choose as avatar . The Yurupari spirits who were often seen as a fusion of animal and man guarded the Amazon rainforest furthering this concept of blurring lines between culture , race and gender .

The project takes the future Maloya sound to another level with multi-levels of electronic sounds built upon the ternary beats of Maloya with its eclectic array of percussions from around the globe . Brace yourself before stepping into a world that is a reflection of a globalised world with no borders. A world that you will not recognise but at the same time you should be mindful of not getting lost in .