The night after the eight piece band Red Baraat played a secret show on the tiny platform of Rockwood Music Hall, the Indian Funk band opened for Antibalas at Brooklyn Masonic Temple (BMT). While I didn’t attend the Rockwood Show, after seeing the band at BMT, I couldn’t imagine how they could possibly fit at Rockwood. And I don’t mean on that stage, I mean the decibel level. The sheer volume of sound from these guys was too much for the larger BMT (though that was likely the venue’s doing). They might have figured the larger sound equated to a bigger party for the evening. Certainly, the audience on the dance floor didn’t stop moving — it should be noted, unlike many indie / hipster Brooklyn bands, Red Baraat (and Antibalas) sure know how to attract a diverse crowd including many ladies — as bandleader Sunny Jain hammered out rhythms on his dhol.
For those familiar with the language, a baraat is an exciting procession for the bridegroom and his family typical to South Asian weddings, so the music of Red Baraat must be equally exciting. Red Baraat played a number of songs off their forthcoming album Shruggy Ji (title track is available to download below) as well as songs off Chaal Baby. Their propulsive music is steeped in Indian sounds and flavors but it’s uniquely mixed with other global elements (their lyrics vary between Hindi and English). Red Baraat’s scintillating New Orleans brass section blends deep reggae strides and jazz freakouts within the outlandish madness of Bollywood and bhangra music. If the BMT performance serves as any indication, their live show is a raucous party all are invited too… just keep your earplugs ready and your dancing shoes shined.
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Red Baraat 2013 U.S. Tour Dates:
1/24 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club
1/25 – Baltimore, MD – 8×10
1/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Annenberg Center
2/1 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
2/2 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
2/7-12 – New Orleans, LA – Mardi Gras Events – TBA
2/14 – San Francisco, CA – Slims
2/15 – Phoenix, AZ – Scottsdale Center for the Arts
2/16 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theatre
2/22 – Duluth, MN – College of St. Scholastica
2/23 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Arts Center
2/24 – Evanston, IL – Space
2/27 – Louisville, KY – Headliners
2/28 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
3/1 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
3/2- Atlanta, GA – Georgia State University
3/12-17 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/21 – Live Oak, FL – Springfest
3/22 – Tampa, FL – TBA
3/23 – Miami, FL – South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center