WE HAVE MOVED TO http://nadabrahma.co.uk/
Dear Readers,
It most certainly has been a while. The reason for such a long silence is due to work on the new website.
I can now announce the launch on the NEW WEBSITE – HTTP://NADABRAHMA.CO.UK
This wordpress.com will no longer be used but is still going to remain active …. So please join us at the new home! http://nadabrahma.co.uk/
I want to thank a few of people with their help, Amit Patel and Rajen Shah from Watermarkmedia, Kunal ‘Cabein’ Anand, Tariq Hussain and Dimm Summer for letting me use a part of ethnotechno.com for the header!
Respect
Sanj.K
Eristoff Wolves Den round up // nh7
Heres a round up of the Eristoff Wolves Den at the NH7 Weekender in Pune … gutted I couldn’t be there!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
khule da rabb // the dewarists [s01e06]
The verdant landscapes of Kaziranga set the stage for Angaraag ‘Papon’ Mahanta and Rabbi Shergill. The former is a native of the state, and revered within it for introducing an entire generation to ancient folk melodies that would otherwise have been lost forever. The latter introduces his Sufi-tinged, intrinsically Punjabi sound for a memorable collaboration.
an afternoon of carnatic sounds // ambika jois
Once a month on a Saturday afternoon, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is home to Mid-day Mantra. An initiative setup by SAMPAD, an arts organization dedicated in bringing the finest sounds of Asian musicians and artists from the UK and India in a series of chilled out and informal sessions.
Last Saturday saw the highly acclaimed musicians from Banglore. S.V. Balakrishna on Mridangam and R. Raghunandan on Flute. They were joined by my incredibly talented friend on vocals – Ambika Jois, a singer songwriter with unique sound of Indioul blending Jazz, classical Carnatic music and soul.
R. Raghunandan kicked off the performance with an invocation to Lord Ganesha – a beautiful solo on the Flute. Serving as frontline ammunition for the classical piece, it carried the melody and provided harmonies to the music. The eloquent switch between large and small flutes really gave it a moments of sweet playful gestures interjected with deep poignant sounds. Soon to be joined by are the rustic sounds of the Mridangam, a barrel-like hand-drum supplied us with notable improvisation sets dancing amicably with the flute ragas and providing delicate yet strong impressive sounds.
Ambika injected some powerful graceful vocals are a force to be reckoned with, which enhanced the depth and soul of the music. I’ve seen Ambika perform live with Shammi Pithia when she sings more western stuff, however seeing the classical side of her talent really hit home as to how talented this lady is. The sheer supremacy and might of her voice is remarkable. If you ever get an opportunity to see perform seize it as you will not be disappointed.
Ambika will be performing at Mid-day Mantra on Dec 10th …
stormy weather EP // gods robots [FREE DOWNLOAD]
GODS ROBOTS – a dynamic blend of world class songwriting, energetic stage performance, cutting edge technology and old school musicianship. The duo’s stage show unites original songs with Taamara delivering a powerful combination of english lyrics with nuanced classical India stylings alongside Janaka Selekta‘s hard hitting riddims dubbed from his multi-channel electronics platform. Improvisation is a key element of GODS ROBOTS as they move seamlessly from their original songs to a DJ dance format and back again. High energy and LIVE.
STORMY WEATHER their EP with a seamless blend of catchy English lyrics, classical Indian instrumentation and underground rhythms defines the unique GODS ROBOTS sound.
It is the sound of an infinitely interconnected world where borders are becoming increasing meaningless. Elements of drumstep, dubstep, hip hop, dub and even drum n bass shine as singer Taamara effortlessly moves from soulful and bluesy English lyrics to classical Indian vocal melodies. Their upcoming album especially produced for Bittorrent features virtuoso Sarod player Alam Khan in a rare non-classical Indian music context and Mike Pipes on flute and guitar.
HOW DO I GET THE EP? … GO TO >> http://featuredcontent.utorrent.com/
STORMY WEATHER ft. Mike Pipes
STRANGE OLD SONG
FALLING Ft. Alam Khan
BREAK THE SPELL
changing world // the dewarists [s01e05]
Finally! the episode I’ve been waiting for! … Titled ‘Changing World’ sees two of my friends, singer-songwriter – Monica Dogra and U.K.-based breakbeat performer and producer Shri collaborating with folk collective Rajasthan Roots.
breakdancing + yoga = mind blowing!
Phenomenal! … Breakdancing and busting out yoga moves at the same time not only requires flexibility but strength and skill … hats off to this guy!
In a video titled Break ton Neck … this is Arthur Cadre …
INSANE!
seven artists in delhi: B.L.O.T // the guardian
I love it when I read about some of the Indian artists I follow on The Guardian Culture/Music section. This time its a duo by the name B.L.O.T [Basic Love Of Things] who are an arts collective and mixed media performance ensemble consisting of VJ and visual artist Avinash Kumar and DJ and musician Gaurav Malaker who have diabolical plans of redefining electronic music experiences.
B.L.O.T feature in the third video a series of films looking at Indian artists working in Delhi by The Guardian called Seven artists in Delhi.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
classic indian rock icons Parikrama & Agnee // i believe ~ the dewarists [s01e04]
Fellow music addicts … Its that time of the week again, the next episode of the Dewarists – a new original series. Part music documentary and part travelogue, the show features inspiring musicians collaborating to create original music while traveling to locations across India.
This week, from the lush green hills of Panshet, to the bustle of Pune, Episode 4 sees the union of two of India’s long-standing classic rock icons — Parikrama and Agnee. Adding flavor to the collaboration is the lilting voice of acclaimed playback singer Shilpa Rao.
Enjoy
GIG ALERT // london jazz festival presents soumik datta
London Jazz Festival presents Soumik Datta is an upcoming fantastic gig happening at Rich Mix in 10 days time – Tue 15 November 2011.
Soumik is one of the hottest rising stars in Britain today. Combining his majestic Indian Sarod (19-stringed, musical lute) with underground beats, a dubstep essence, folk and contemporary soundscapes this is set to be an unmissable night of cutting-edge music.
Book your tickets here
live from girona // anoushka shankar
Heres a short clip of whats to come in Anoushka Shankar‘s big European tour.
This is her performance of “Inside Me” live at the 12th Girona Festival featuring the repertoire of her debut album on Deutsche Grammophon combining Indian and Spanish musical traditions.
bacardi NH7 weekender 2010 // the documentary
I really wish I was attending this festival in November … it has the most amazing line up from acts across India and the world. A true representation of Indian and Indian influenced independent music.
Here is the documentary of last years NH7 …
The first edition of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender was held at Koregaon Park, Pune in December 2010. The festival saw over 50 bands perform over multiple stages on three days, with thousands of fans enjoying perhaps the happiest music festival experience in India. Asian Dub Foundation headlined the festival, which also saw performances from artists like The Magic Numbers, Susheela Raman, Indian Ocean and The Raghu Dixit Project.
The 2011 edition of the festival will be held between November 18-20 at Laxmi Lawns, Magarpatta City, Pune. For more information, visit –http://nh7.in/weekender
GIG ALERT // engine earz @ shaanti [11.11.11]
On 11.11.11 SHAANTI [Birmingham] is back after the last successful one.
This month ENGINE EARZ – best described as ‘Massive Attack for the dubstep generation;’ dubstep’s first fully live act are winning an assorted army of fans will be doing a DJ set at the Rainbow Warehouse and Garden in Birmingham.
Joining ENGINE EARZ will be SONNYJI (BBC Asian Network), JUTTLA, BUPS SAGGU, SUNNY MANDEZ, EMPATHY, BEATROOT SOUNDSYSTEM and MANGA. A fantastic line up!
Shaanti, Friday 11 November 2011 (Monthly).
The Rainbow Warehouse, Adderley Street
Birmingham. West Midlands. B12 0LD
Price £5 students (NUS) all night, non-students £8 all night.
Advance Tickets: www.theticketsellers.co.uk
Twitter: Shaanti 11 BBM: 22190F01
e: music@shaanti.co.uk t: 07968366878 w: www.shaanti.co.uk
maaya // the dewarists [s01e03]
Folks, the fantastic Episode 3 is here!!!!! This week sees an amazing journey of The Dewarists taking us on an intimate visit to Delhi with Indian Ocean, folk rock giants and perhaps the biggest band in India today. Joining them is Mohit Chauhan, celebrated playback singer and balladeer extraordinaire.
‘borderland’ // soumik datta
BORDERLAND is the name of a spectacular show commissioned by the DSC South Asian Literature festival. Inspired by the poem of the great Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Borderland’ is an exploration and interpretation of the many ‘borders’ present in our lives.
The show has been orchestrated by the Sarod maestro, Soumik Datta, who brings together not just poetry and music, but film, lighting and the art of storytelling to the stage. Last Thursday, Embrace Arts, Leicester hosted an intimate performance of ‘Borderland’ which served up a fiery audio-visual encounter.
Borderland begins with Soumik on the demanding fretless Sarod, narrating a story throughTagore’s words. As the performance evolves, he is joined by other musicians; by Rahel on vocals,Guiliano Modarelli on electro-acoustic Guitar and on Tabla, Souvid Datta. Laced into the mix are vivid, uniquely crafted visuals that give the spoken words more depth and dimension.
The four musicians, led by Soumik, really brought Tagore’s poetry to life in a truly classical-meets-contemporary manner. Different genres of music ranging from Indian classical, flamenco, Indo-Jazz, blues and folk combined subtly to create a musically opulent atmosphere with contemporary soundscapes. All was married impeccably with electronica, culminating in a chic and elegant display of intelligent cutting-edge music.
A massive thank you to Soumik Datta, DSC South Asian Literature festival, Kala Kahani and Embrace Arts for putting on an amazing show!
the ninth inning ep // gonjasufi [free download]
GONJASUFI, an artist whos voice was described by Pitchfork Media as “a scraggly, scary, smoked-out croak that creeps like the spiritual offspring of George Clinton and Leadbelly”. The vocalist, MC, disc jockey and yoga teacher from San Diego, California released his latest four track EP ‘The Ninth Inning’ on Hydroshare.tv on the 24/10/11.
Here’s a track from that EP, “EATFISH”, featuring a guest verse from fellow Californian MC, Blu and production from Blu and Mainframe.
GONJASUFI – “EATFISH” w: BLU (Produced by Johnson&Johnson)
Gonjasufi speaks on releasing “The Ninth Inning” EP for his fans
kya khayaal hai // the dewarists [s01e02]
Set against the frenetic pace of the city of Mumbai, Episode 2 features a cross-border collaboration between Pakistani singer-songwriter duo Zeb & Haniya, and two veterans of Bollywood — composer Shantanu Moitra, and lyricist Swanand Kirkire.
electronic ideologies ep15 // rob khan
Rob Khan returns with a brand new podcast featuring new music from Goth Trad, Kahn, Sully, Makoto and introducing up and coming producer Guy Furious plus the best dubstep, garage, grime, bass and beyond! Also find Electronic Ideologies on Facebook >> https://www.facebook.com/electronicideologiespodcast
Vodpod videos no longer available.
essential mix // flying lotus [free download]
In 2008 Flying Lotus gave us his essential mix, 2 hours of beautiful sounds for around the cosmos …
Studio Session, Winner Of The Essential Mix Of The Year – BBC Radio 1 November 29 2008
Introduced By: Pete Tong
paradise circus // massive attack vs burial
Burial delivers a haunting rework of Massive Attack‘s Paradise Circus, an incredibly immersive and emotive piece of music from one of the most influential producers of a generation.
This clip taken from Mary Ann Hobbs‘ excellent XFM show, where it was aired for the first time yesterday.
haunting melodies over dark bass, QUEST remix // bandish projekt [free download]
Bandish Projekt Remix of the track Quest original by Vivek Rajagopalan. Quest has acclaimed violinist Embar Kannan on violin and vocals Shri of the Badmarsh & Shri on bass and bowed bass and Vivek on Mridangam and Kanjira. Quest features a haunting melody sung in Tamil over dark bass and heavy undertones. A line from the the great poet Subramania Bharati‘s poem is used to bring the “soul searching” element to this melodious track.
minds without fear // the dewarists [s01e01]
I am so grateful to the DewarsIndia for uploading the first episode of the new original series – The Dewarists. This part documentary and part travelogue, the show features inspiring musicians collaborating to create original music while travelling to locations across India.
In Episode 1, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Imogen Heap teams up with prolific composer duo Vishal-Shekhar for a track inspired by the Tagore poem, ‘Where The Mind Is Without Fear’. This episode was filmed at the luxurious, 475-year-old Samode Palace on the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan.
a long awaited collaboration // massive attack vs burial
The subject of prolonged rumour and intense speculation, Inhale Gold and The Vinyl Factory are proud to present Massive Attack’s long awaited collaboration with Burial, Four Walls / Paradise Circus.
These new Burial mixes of previously unreleased Massive Attack track ‘Four Walls’ and Heligoland favourite ‘Paradise Circus’ are available exclusively as limited vinyl edition of only 1000 copies worldwide.
Pressed on heavyweight 180g 12” vinyl housed in a stunning, hand numbered, gold glitter screen-printed sleeve designed by Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja (3D), this edition has been crafted by The Vinyl Factory, and is sure to become a highly coveted collectors item.
As you’d expect from these two acts these are no ordinary remixes andBurial has completely rebuilt both tracks in his own unique styleproviding a masterclass in production. You can hear ‘Four Walls’ below.
At around 12 minutes each, both ‘Four Walls’ and ‘Paradise Circus’ have been given the time and space to evolve and develop going way beyond the scope of normal remixes, with the end result two highly original, in every sense of the word, pieces of music.
WE HAVE MOVED TO NADABRAHMA.CO.UK 