On March 24, Red Baraat will release Bhangra Pirates (Rhyme & Reason Records), a new album that reflects a more evolved and elaborate sound developed over the last two years of heavy touring and the addition of a full-time guitar player. The record features 8 tracks on the band’s first-ever vinyl release and 2 bonus tracks on the CD version. You can preorder the vinyl and CD here: smarturl.it/BhangaPiratesStore. Preorder at iTunes here: http://radi.al/BhangraPirates
Bhangra Pirates is the first release to represent this updated version of the ensemble, well known for their consistent experimentation, innovation, and ability to develop raw energy by pulling the best elements of trial and error. “Bhangra Pirates marks a growth for us as our acoustic instrumentation evolves into new sonic spaces. The process was so incredibly inspiring,” explains Sunny Jain, the charismatic bandleader and dhol player. “We performed an in-studio at Seattle’s KEXP in March 2015, and I remember listening to clips and being floored at the performance. KEXP was gracious enough to give us the stems of these tracks and I had them mixed and mastered by Dave Sharma (Clairey Brown, Little Boots). We then ‘re-imagined’ some previously recorded material by adding guitar to the tracks and re-mixing and re-mastering them as well.”
The songwriting for these tracks was an intense process, with Sunny continuing his custom of recording ideas as voice memos and then shutting out the rest of the world while he wrote. Absorbing himself in the music, he whittled the memos down to a maximum of two thoughts or ideas while building the melody, then later, the harmony. And finally, the song takes shape when the individual band members add their unique sound and textural imprint while playing it live.
Sunny concludes, “We’re super excited for this album and think it’s our best yet. Spontaneity and improvisation are at the heart of playing our music, but moreover, the energy of the crowd is something we feed off of. The purpose of Red Baraat is to bring joy and togetherness; to take people on a journey and let our music fill the room and do all the talking.” Catch Red Baraat live on March 9, during their hometown NYC record release show at BRIC Arts and nationally on tour.
Tour Dates:
Mar 04 & 05 – Miami, FL @ Carnaval on the Mile
Mar 09 – Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC House
Mar 10 – Burlington, VT @ Nectar’s
Mar 16 – New York, NY @ (Le) Poisson Rouge (Festival of Colors)
Mar 17 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair (Festival of Colors)
Mar 18 – Hartford, CT @ Infinity Hall (Festival of Colors)
Mar 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live (Festival of Colors)
Mar 24 & 25 – Washington, DC @ The Hamilton (Festival of Colors)
Mar 29 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern (Festival of Colors)
Mar 30 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater (Festival of Colors)
Mar 31 – San Francisco, CA @ SF Jazz Center (Festival of Colors)
Apr 02 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teregram Ballroom (Festival of Colors)
