After a long day in the cold, i decided that it was imperative for me to listen to some music from parts of the world that are experiencing WARM weather at the present moment. After checking out the weather channel on my new Nintendo Wii, I realized that my friend Hannah had just returned from Southeastern India with a tan. So I set out to find some music I had not heard yet from that region…
What I found has become my new obsession. Music from India comes in two species, or traditions rather, it seems: The Hindustani music from the North, and the music from the south, which has been much less influenced by Western culture and media. One of the most engaging and transcendental pieces of music I’ve ever heard comes from a Southeast Indian group by the name of Masala. It was in fact Hannah’s boyfriend, Jesse Cohen (a member of Professor Murder, a great upcoming New York band), who first pointed me in the direction of Masala. Check out Professor Murder when you get the chance. They are a rambunctious Animal Collective, with harmonies and dance-able beats that are executed by the extremely talented and intelligent musicians that make up the band. I think you can even find them on iTunes… OtherMusic in NYC has them listed as one of the most popular NY bands right now so they’re worth a listen for sure.
Back to Masala, each piece is about 8 to 10 minutes long, with continuous beats, and vocals that mimic the violin and other instruments that are prevalent in most Southeast Indian music. The echo of the main vocalist is something surely to be reckoned with. At times, it sounds fun and cheerful. At others, dramatic even tragic. At all times, what struck me most was the ability of the vocals and all of the instruments, individually, to complement each other in such perfect harmony and through mimicking, without seeming repetitive.
The track, Lotus, which is purely instrumental, references the music of Southeast Asia- it reminded me of a Thai musician I once listened to. Whereas, Kharma, might remind you a bit of Northern Indian beats. A few of the tracks on the album contain some of the most brilliant drumming I’ve heard to date.
So check out Masala and let me know what you think. Email me at vjkim@mtvu.com
I promise I’ll write more soon. It’s been a hectic month.
