It’s always nice to catch up with friends from times aGo. Had a chance to do just that with Sunny Jain, as Red Baraat makes their way back to Madison on July 15th at the Union Terrace and then July 16th at La Fête de Marquette. We spoke about what a newcomer to the band could expect to see and hear when checking our Red Baraat at either of these Madison stops. We had a chance to walk down memory lane and discuss the difference of landscape between when the group first came here years ago versus where they are at sound-wise and production-wise today as they released “Bhangra Pirates” in March of 2017. It is always a pleasure to learn how the paths have changed throughout the years and how life plays into the way we do what we do, musically and otherwise.Madison holds a special place in this group’s heart, and I am sure we will return the love on the upcoming weekend. Comprised of eight musicians who can whip a crowd into a frenzy with an unprecedented, high energy, gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra. A horn section blares, percussionists pound, the guitarists rips, everybody shouts, and the group’s charismatic leader, Sunny Jain, holds the explosive songs together with rhythms from his dhol – the Indian double-headed drum played slung over the shoulder that provides bhangra with its frenetic heartbeat. This energy blast is always opening the door to newness in front of crowds, let’s have Madison respond in similar fashion by being itself, ready for anything. And if you were wondering what Sunny would air if I gave up a half hour or so of the proGram, well he clues us in at the end of this conversation..some interesting stuff, as I would expect.
