Living a life that’s in partnership with nature has been one of the main take-aways LA-based producer Mark Redito gained when he finished making his EP, Natural Habitat. “Getting into plants and gardening has made me feel more connected to the earth… it has made me think of my actions... Am I contributing towards the healing of this planet or it's demise ?” His newest EP explores the concept of Biophilia - the innate connection of humans with all living creatures.“I wanted to make an album that honors plant life and the natural world around us. In doing so,  my hope is that it would inspire us to work towards healing the planet.”

Mark has maintained an indoor garden since 2015 and credits his wife for jumpstarting his love of plants. “It all started when she got a Golden Pothos from Home Depot to decorate our new apartment... I thought I had a black thumb, but when I started caring for them it felt easy and natural…” Mark grew up in the Philippines where both his mother and grandmother kept ornamental and edible gardens. “I remember growing up with a huge mango tree in our backyard. In the eyes of a 5 year old that tree held so much magic for me. I would touch it with respect and sometimes talk to it and ask for fruit.” He added that that feeling of magic is still present with him today. He has over 40 house plants and has a patio garden growing an assortment of vegetables. “I have a fondness for plants that are from tropical areas of the world. They remind me of the place I grew up.”

PLANT LESSONS

“In this album, I tried to expand both my musical understanding as well as explore new concepts; and to do that I had to process, challenge, and prune currently held ideas and mental frameworks. There’s this notion in the music industry that once you get traction or momentum, the only way to move forward is to scale. I wanted to challenge that notion and focus on the small and the intimate. Aiming for more truer expression that is fueled by my own intentions and not one dictated by someone else. I’m hopeful that that would birth a product that has impact and meaning.” He brings up a gardening technique, pruning - the strategic cutting of plants to encourage growth.“If you cut, say for example, herbs in a certain area, it allows that area to grow more branches. It makes the plant bushier and healthier.” He expands the idea of pruning to his relationship with social media and the pressure to appear large and ever present. “I challenged myself to cut down on my usage in order to examine myself, my art, and what I put out in this world. The friction helped me to be intentional with my social usage. It’s not perfect, but it has made me healthier and truer to myself above the noise.” All plants move toward the light. Mark says, “It’s a good analogy for how to live life. To orient one’s existence toward things that are lifegiving and bring joy.”

LUSH AND EARTHY

All these takeaways are encapsulated in Natural Habitat. All 7 songs carry a warm and earthy characteristic. Lush textures and warbly analog synths are peppered throughout the album with samples of birds singing and leaves crunching on “Anne”… a river flowing on “Watering Routine.” “In my head,” says Mark, “warm fuzzy tones remind me of the lushness of being in a well tended garden or taking a hike in a forest.”

In “Nowhere left to grow” he and songwriter Hollis Wong-Wear explore the idea of growth and decay through the lens of a human relationship. In “Anthurium” he sampled the work of Simone Vitale, a sound healer based in New Zealand. Vitale’s “Sounds from the soil” features an Anthurium plant hooked up to a device that converts the plant’s bio feedback into midi notes that are then converted into music. Mark adds, “It was beautiful and moving and I was inspired to embed that piece into my own music.”

While most nature-inspired music lean towards the ambient and the free-flowing, Mark’s approach on this EP honors his love for dance and electronic music. Incorporating syncopated beat programming and found sounds as the backbone for rhythm. He says, “I lean towards music that’s rhythmic and driving and I wanted to incorporate that into these pieces while still maintaining a steady calmness.”

MUSIC FOR PLANTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM

Mark acknowledges that he is part of a movement of artists who were inspired by or partnered with plants/nature. He cites Mort Gorson’s “Plantasia” and Stevie Wonder’s “Journey through the secret life of plants” as an influence. He also enjoys the music of current artists inspired by plants and nature: Green-house, Akasha System, DJ Houseplants to name a few. He says, “I want to contribute to the ongoing conversation about nature and environmental conservation through my music.”. He believes that music plays a big part in shaping cultural conversations and narratives and that the job of the artist is to use their voice to bring ideas that benefit humanity.

Mark believes small things make a difference. “My hope with this album as it focuses intimately on nature, is that we come to realize our interconnectivity. That we are all part of nature and will return to it. And in that way, to notice the sacredness of our interconnectivity. I hope the album encourages people to make small steps that can inspire new possibilities for collective movement toward sustainable systems for all living things.” (SP)

released November 13, 2020

This album is dedicated to my mom Albina, my Lola Ref, and my wife Susan for inspiring me and starting my journey with plants.

Art Direction and Additional Artworks by Mark Redito

Artwork by Yemaozi Animations

Vinyl Layout and Design by Sherlan Abesamis

Lyrics, melodies, and vocal performance on “So in luv with u” by Reese Lansangan

Backing vocals, lyrics, and melodies on “Nowhere Left to Grow” by Hollis Wong-Wear

Sample on “Anthurium” used with permission from “Sounds from the soil II (432 Hz)” by Simone Vitale

Mixed and Mastered by Alec Ness

Released by Zoom Lens