- Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits
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Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits Origin Los Angeles, California Genres World, Kirtan Years active 1998-present Labels Equal Vision Records/Mantralogy Website Official Website Members Gaura Vani
Shyam Kishore
Vrinda Rani
Jvala Mukhi
Nistha RajNotable instruments harmonium, tabla, sarod, tambura, violin Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits (sometimes known just as As Kindred Spirits) is a musical project signed to Equal Vision Records' new sub-label, Mantralogy. They perform Krishna-conscious music.
Contents
History
As Kindred Spirits was founded in 1998 by Gaura Vani and Shyam Kishore to bring kirtan, a genre of spiritual music from India, to the United States. The music "combines traditional Indian kirtan music with Western elements such as 12-string guitar, gospel choruses, and hip-hop rhythms".[1]
Gaura Vani was born in Los Angeles, but at the age of six, moved to Vrindavan, India to study sacred music at a gurukula. There, he learned how to play traditional Indian instruments, such as the harmonium. He brought his knowledge back to the United States, where he formed As Kindred Spirits with Shyam Kishore, a professionally trained Indian percussionist/mulit-instrumentalist.
The band performs regularly at yoga studios and temples, along with touring to larger venues and festivals, such as Lollapalooza.[1] They also tour internationally to countries such as Brazil and India. They also founded the first ever sold-out Chant4Change kirtan-festival in Washington, DC during President Obama's inauguration.[1]
In 2009, As Kindred Spirits became the first band signed to Equal Vision's new, kirtan sub-label, Mantrology. Their second album, Ten Million Moons, is the first release on Mantralogy.[2]
Band members
Gaura Vani - vocals, harmonium
Shyam Kishore - tabla, sarod
Vrinda Rani - bharata-natyam dancer
Jvala Mukhi - backing Vocals, tambura
Nistha Raj - violinVarious other musicians perform at various shows, most being local musicians.
Discography
- Nectar of Devotion (2003)
- Ten Million Moons (2009)
References
- ^ a b c "East meets West". The Boston Globe (NY Times Company). September 18, 2009. http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/09/18/gaura_vani_combines_sitars_and_chants_with_rock_for_a_genre_defying_musical_mix/. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
- ^ http://www.gauravani.com/2706-equal-vision-records-announces-mantralogy
External links
Categories:- Hindu music
- American world music groups
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