Critically Acclaimed Composer/Percussionist Julian Loida Conjures Wintry Reflection and Sonic Warmth on Cinematic Single “December Dreams (Radio Edit)” (feat. Don Mitchell)
With his signature blend of cinematic texture and emotional depth, Boston-bred/LA-based composer, percussionist, and producer Julian Loida unveils “December Dreams (Radio Edit)” – a lush, genre-defying winter ballad merging folk, neo-classical, and ambient elements into something wholly unique. Featuring Don Mitchell of Darlingside, the song captures the liminal beauty of longing, reflection, and the hazy calm of winter nights.
“For me, composing comes from improvising and improvising comes from something larger than me moving through me,” Loida shares. “This piece found its way to me when I was living in a cold, damp basement apartment in Boston. Songs tend to find me when I’m feeling fairly hopeless and stuck spiritually.”
Listen to “December Dreams (Radio Edit)” (feat. Don Mitchell) HERE.
Written during a time of emotional upheaval, “December Dreams (Radio Edit)” channels heartbreak, exhaustion, and yearning into something expansive and transcendent. Born from a late-night improvisation on vibraphone, the track became a fusion of Loida’s love for cinematic scoring and Afro-Cuban rhythm, intertwined with soft vocals and sweeping brass. “It feels like my love for cinematic music and Afro-Cuban music were melding in a way that on paper sounds very odd, but internally feels deeply true,” he explains.
The song’s origin dates back to December 2018, when Loida envisioned snow falling and dreamt of a happiness he had yet to live. “My music can sound quite joyous, but that’s more often out of a need,” he says. “I find people can create music that’s different from how they actually feel in very interesting ways.”
Over time, the piece evolved through serendipitous connection. After a few experimental vibraphone sessions at Dimension Sound Studios with producer Dan Cardinal, Loida received a message from Don Mitchell expressing admiration for his work – a note that sparked years of creative collaboration. “I’m so grateful for Don’s massive contributions to this song,” Loida says. “We thought a lot about Sufjan Stevens’ album, Chicago, while making this piece and knew we wanted some sounds of brass, which led to me bringing in Tiffany Johns, a true virtuoso who created gorgeous horn and brass parts.”
• “DECEMBER DREAMS (RADIO EDIT)” (FEAT. DON MITCHELL) ASSETS – DOWNLOAD •
I’m drifting in a snow globe and I don’t know
If this is a December dream then I dreamt it so
In crafting the song’s atmosphere, Loida and Mitchell approached production with restraint and care. “We wanted to be subtle, dream-like, and leave space for the listener while making something atmospheric, lush, and wide-sounding,” Loidaexplains. “Even though we could have added tons of percussion, it felt nice to produce with restraint and not add things just because we could.”
Called “one of the Boston music scene’s most valuable players” by The Art Fuse, Julian Loida is a percussionist, composer, and producer whose musical curiosity and synesthetic perception have led him to a wide spectrum of genres and collaborations. His work spans jazz, folk, and classical forms, often weaving visual and emotional textures through sound.
Loida’s compositions have been featured in films, dance, and art installations, while his performance career has taken him to stages and festivals across North America and Europe, including Spoleto Festival USA, Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and Sweden’s Korrö Festival. His latest album, Giverny (2023), earned acclaim from WBUR for its artistry and innovation.
A vivid convergence of vibraphone, banjo, brass, and voice, “December Dreams (Radio Edit)” (feat. Don Mitchell) stands as a singular work – a soundscape both ethereal and grounded, evoking the emotional hues of winter and the warmth of connection.
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