Essay is Peter Moran and Renata Raksha. The duo share a love of music that is dancey, ironic but earnest, and unashamed. At the heart of their sound is the essence of Giorgio Moroder, Sparks, Dj Kingdom, D.A.F., Extreme Animals, Hecuba and the best Power 106 jams.
Renata grew up the daughter of a fashion designer in Communist Russia.
A few latitudes over in Belgium, Peter traded acid house cassettes with his friends. At home, his mom played Leonard Cohen and Sparks records.
They met at White Slave Trade, a warehouse cum art gallery and music venue in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Peter was a founding member of the squelchy, party duo Laco$te from the same explosion of creativity surrounding the Smell (Abe Vigoda, the Mae Shi, HEALTH, Lucky Dragons).
After collaborating on visual projects, their glam-friendly aesthetic soon found a musical expression in Essay. Renata exuded charisma and drama through an economic use of movement that complemented Peter’s dance-friendly tracks. After a handful of shows in L.A., Essay booked a West coast tour. Essay’s debut EP is being released by Winter Palace later this year, with more touring in the works.