Spruce Ritual with Lucian Kano Balmer

Raga-infused chamber music. My most ambitious project to date.

The album, “The Way The Evening Speaks,” was released by Ansonica Records on 2/10/23. It features myself as composer, violinist, and vocalist, as well as Nils Bultmann (viola), Hannah Addario-Berry (cello), Joanna Mack (sitar), Josh Mellinger (tabla, tabla taranga), and Jim Santi Owen (tabla taranga). It has been received with great enthusiasm; read reviews here.

Our most recent performances on 5/19/23 (Forte House SF) and 5/21/23 (Freight and Salvage) featured Ivo Bokulic (viola), Hannah Addario-Berry (cello), Will Marsh (sitar), and Josh Mellinger (tabla, tabla taranga).

Lucian & Josh

Josh Mellinger has been my main tabla guy for many years! We’ve performed my compositions as well as traditional ragas together.

Lucian Solo

solo violin, and simultaneously playing the violin while singing.

Other projects

projects that are no longer active, or are waiting to be revived!




Music with poetry and dance

Over the years I’ve teamed up with musicians such as Joanna Mack (sitar), Aharon Wheels Bolsta (tabla, bansuri, mixed percussion), Josh Mellinger (tabla), and others. We’ve done evenings of poetry and dance featuring guest orators, poets, and dancers.

Sacred Fool Trio

Lucian, Josh Mellinger, Francesca Genco

Mantras, original lyrics by Francesca Genco, vocal harmonies, and lots of improvitation.

Music for violin, sitar, and tabla

Lucian, Josh Mellinger (tabla), and Joanna Mack (sitar).

Open Invitation

My first album, from 2014. With Josh Mellinger on tabla, and Aharon Wheels Bolsta on hang, halo, and bansuri.