Sarathy Korwar shares new single ‘Remember Begum Rokheya’
SARATHY KORWAR SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘REMEMBER BEGUM ROKHEYA’
ANNOUNCES UK TOUR DATES INCLUDING LONDON’S OSLO ON 30 NOVEMBER
NEW ALBUM KALAK OUT 11 NOVEMBER VIA THE LEAF LABEL
“An anthemic fever dream”
Clash“
Deeply reflective, entrancingly rhythmic”
The Evening Standard
Listen to ‘Remember Begum Rokheya’ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5wP6dZiUk4
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‘Remember Begum Rokheya’ is the second track taken from Sarathy Korwar’s new album KALAK which will be released on 11 November via The Leaf Label. An Indo-futurist manifesto, the album celebrates a rich South Asian culture of music and literature, while leaning on the aural tradition of passing rhythms, melodies, stories and recipes from generation to generation, and attempts to use those parts to describe a better route forward. Meticulous production comes courtesy of New York electronic musician, DJ and producer Photay, translating these communal rhythms and practices into a timeless and groundbreaking electronic record.
Sarathy has also today announced that he will be making a small number of live appearances around the release of the album, to be followed by wider touring in 2023. This includes a show at London‘s Oslo on 30 November. Full dates are below and tickets will be on sale here at 10am on Friday 30 September.
Built on an infectious group vocal, the single celebrates the life of Bengali feminist writer Begum Rokheya, and enforces the idea that marginalised voices from the past and the present can be highlighted in order to suggest a different perspective on the future.
Speaking of the track Sarathy says:
“When speaking about futurism, one of the fundamental questions is – who gets to speculate? Who gets to tell their story or vision of the future? Begum Rokheya is an example of someone with a radically different worldview and someone who we would generally not hear from. In her 1905 book Sultana’s Dream, she tells the story of reversed purdah, where peace-loving women overpower aggressive men to live in harmony with nature. The song is based on a simple call and response melody. The group vocals are performed by friends and family, to reflect the song’s emphasis on community.”
KALAK was recorded at Real World Studios with meticulous production by New York electronic musician, DJ and producer Photay, who translates these communal rhythms and practices into a timeless and groundbreaking electronic record. With The Comet Is Coming’s Danalogue on synths, Tamar Osborn’s baritone sax, Al MacSween on keys and percussionist Magnus Mehta, who all performed on More Arriving, the album also features vocals by Kushal Gaya of Melt Yourself Down and Mumbai-based producer and electronic artist Noni-Mouse, as well as a track recorded with Japanese drum ensemble Kodo. There’s a spirituality and warmth at play in the polyrhythms, group vocals and melodic flourishes.
KALAK will be released on November 11th in three vinyl editions (on black, dark green, and for a special Dinked Edition, crystal clear vinyl) and a CD, each featuring a different cover image. All vinyl editions include an 8-page booklet, created by Sijya Gupta, with Korwar’s notes on the concepts behind the project. The Dinked Edition, available exclusively from select independent UK record shops will also include a rotating card KALAK rhythm wheel.
Pre-order KALAK here:
https://sarathykorwar.bandcamp.com/album/kalak
High-res images can be found here
Photo credit: Fabrice Bourgelle
Live dates:
19 Nov – Galway @ Seven Bridgestreet
20 Nov – Ramsgate @ Ramsgate Music Hall
25 Nov – Manchester @ Band On The Wall
26 Nov – Leeds @ The Wardrobe
30 Nov – London @ Oslo
Tickets will be available here at 10am Friday 30 September:
https://www.sarathykorwar.com/live