This band is bhang-ing!
A Brooklyn party band will take over the Prospect Park bandshell for a free show starring a custom blend of funk, Indian Bhangra, rock, jazz, and hip-hop on July 7. The sound of the Red Baraat band was born from New York’s eclectic music scene, according to its founder.
“It’s kind of capturing the essence of being a New Yorker,” said drummer Sunny Jain, who formed the band in 2008 while living in Clinton Hill. “Everything coexists and you walk down a block and see hip-hop or jazz or rock.”
The eight-piece band produces its multifarious, Empire State-esque output with its lineup of horns, drummers, and guitars. And Red Baraat’s expansive sound will get crowds from every background moving, no matter their taste in music, according to Jain.
“I think it’s universal,” he said. “For this band there’s something for everybody to grab onto.”
Red Baarat will not be the only band kicking out the jams at the Prospect Park show. Jain co-curated the night along with the Bric Celebrate Brooklyn! team, choosing a mix of world artists for fans to dance to. The evening will feature performances from Indian electronica fusion producer Kersh Kale, South Asian music maker DJ Rekha, Queens rapper and Das Racist member Heems, San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Bhi Bhiman, Arabic and South Asian blend musician Falu, and rocker Shilpa Ray.
The event marks the second time that Red Baraat has performed at the bandshell. The band played the lush venue as openers for Dr. John in 2011, an experience Jain remembers fondly. And he says that he cannot wait to pump Red Baraat and some of his favorites’ tunes through the venue’s killer sound system into Brooklynites’ ears.
“It’s such a great venue, the sound is awesome,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to having the band onstage and playing for Brooklyn.”
Red Baraat’s “Brooklyn Mela” at Prospect Park Bandshell (9th Street and Prospect Park W. in Park Slope, www.brica
