Red Baraat: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bob Boilen | March 13, 2017 - Red Baraat's fusion of bhangra, go-go, hip-hop and jazz is driven by frontman Sunny Jain's percolating playing of the dhol, a double-sided drum which forms the rhythmic lattice of support for their boisterous horns and guitar. And though Red Baraat graced the Tiny Desk five years ago, we had to have Jain's band back to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of color, of good over evil, and the coming of spring. Usually you'd see the dusting of brightly colored perfumed powders strewn in the air, covering bodies and clothing. The notion of doing that in the office was a fun thought, but the band (with my nudging) opted instead for confetti cannons and passing candied treats. It made for quicker cleanup, but their uplifting spirits lingered on, giving us a chance to shake off the final days of winter and demonstrating why music is so essential to the soul.
Bhangra Pirates is available for pre-order now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/bha...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Bhangra-Pirate...
Set List
"Sialkot"
"Zindabad"
"Bhangale"
"Se Hace Camino"
Musicians
Sunny Jain (dhol, vocals); Rohin Khemani (percussion); Chris Eddleton (drums); Sonny Singh (trumpet, vocals); Jonathan Goldberger (guitar); Jonathon Haffner (soprano sax); Raymond James Mason (trombone); Steven Duffy (sousaphone)
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Colin Marshall, Nick Michael, Morgan Noelle Smith; Production Assistants: A Noah Harrison, Bronson Arcuri, Ameeta Ganatra; Photo: Marian Carrasquero/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...

[@raultrujillo1667]

Made me feel I was in a wedding between a guy from New Delhi and a girl from Oaxaca, in Tijuana during the 1990s.

[@kxavi2102]

This has to be the most accurate explanation from this experience!

[@jimjiminyjaroo300]

..and they spiked the punch.

[@rubisdusn2331]

Viva México 🙃❤️

[@pedrosalazarortega6375]

A good approach of culture mixing. Regards from Tijuana.

[@pedrosalazarortega6375]

Oaxaca+ New Delhi+Carlos Santana's feeling

[@diddleysquat2002]

I wish this was somehow injected into mainstream music stations. this is so creative and distinct. I saw these guys live. they split the crowd in half during the show and had us do a gigantic dance battle between the left and right side of the room. so much joy in this music

[@jkfruit2439]

That's so cool 😂

[@jasonfranko8143]

Where did you see them ? That’s sounds wonderful

[@maddypashadk3349]

Listen to college radio. Mainstream/corprate radio is a lost cause unfortunately.

[@berthutto5391]

So much fun live!

[@alsaulso1332]

Who clicked on this because of the picture? be honest? very good stuff!!

[@shybaby4U]

I did. What a pleasant surprise

[@HolandaChiquita]

Actually for the name of the band... It just struck me a interesting.

[@nikag.h2980]

Absofcknloutely

[@tracydorsey1541]

Yup I did. Lol. I like it.

[@tristanvadimterranova8053]

I.

[@Mr60rockstar]

That's a 9.5 for the mustache alone

[@sludgewave4786]

Staline aproves!

[@desiii420]

That entrence with them playing like procession is awesome.

[@niciamontalvo3177]

At the best baarat style!!

[@lokiofasgard7780]

It was such a chad move

[@jcuriel64]

I like them a lot. But the entrance thing has been done...Ozomatli

[@desiii420]

@@jcuriel64 as previous person mentioned it felt like baarat style is when a wedding party arrives with music and dance.

[@janchanateneo]

NPR: Can you guys play at the Tiny Desk Concert? Drummer: YES, WE CAN.

[@raquelgato7211]

😂😂😂😂

[@seanmatthewking]

Cause he look like Obama!

[@joshwarrey3728]

THANKS YO-MAMA

[@johnwrath3612]

God I wish I worked at NPR. Imagine having awesome performers like this in your office every couple of days?

[@Sarah-ys2uk]

"So that was our first song, now for the next" Good lord all mighty let me have a breather.

[@ProfessionalFesso]

I don't care what anybody says, this is a living example of the beauty of contemporary jazz infused with the best flavours of world music

[@9122mike]

"world music"

[@johnwrath3612]

I don't see anyone saying this is bad. I don't like every tiny desk concert i see, but at least 80% of them are good and maybe half are great. This one is a lot of fun.

[@SreyaMuthukumar]

@@9122mike hahahha i hate when people say 'world music' please take a minute and figure out where its from lol

[@Dprest-nd4yc]

@@SreyaMuthukumar well, you obviously have middle eastern influences, I also hear a lot of jazz from that soprano. Very experimental, and yes, I would label it world music too

[@interestingvideos8348]

@Naiym1 There's also balkan brass style, especially present in the last song.

[@somegirl5rock]

Tiny desk needs it's own radio music station. Make it happen.

[@jomoking1012]

I’m from Jamaica this is a vibe/music that’s both familiar and new all at once. The mix of Tasha drums with the guitars and horns is amazing this should be a band that plays the carnival circuit all over the West Indies and diaspora.

[@redbaraat]

Follow us here: @nds

[@berthutto5391]

SUNNY JAIN / RED BARAAT I’ve seen you guys a few times on the Southeast US festival circuit. Thanks!

[@user-tg1nh4nw5u]

Διασπορά?

[@herrerajoey2]

Interns are still picking up confetti to this day....

[@Vera-kh8zj]

i wish i was an intern at this office that day. Would gladly pick up confetti one by one for a few days

[@missb5581]

😂😂😂😂

[@richardamador]

Joey Herrera hahahahaha

[@edsondias3137]

Trust a indian to make a ...... . Wink* P.S: I'm from India so it's not a racist comment 😀

[@k33k32]

I love a band that brings its own confetti!!

[@precepts6644]

I love this band. We should celebrate our diversity as humans and learn other people's cultures and art. That's what makes the world beautiful and enjoyable.

[@CaalamusTube]

Remind them of this fact when someone speaks of "cultural appropriation" :[

[@omgnuub]

Ponsah Fanap You should check out 'Ale Moller band'

[@jimkuz27]

As a Veteran I been all over! There are many things to be learned by Everyone!

[@MayelaThompson]

Caalamus cultural appropriation is when you take it as your own and don’t give credit where credit is due, whereas if you honor it or embrace and respect from where it comes from, it it’s different.

[@robertcook2572]

I agree up to a point. However, if there is too much cross pollination, don't you think there is a danger that all culture will become homogeneous and there will be nothing left to surprise and delight?

[@The10000lbGorilla]

"We're gonna need a bigger desk."

[@raghavsharma3211]

In india the bandmates can outnumber the general footfall count of your invited guests.. Haha

[@chachiuday]

This might be the first indian salsa band. When dude took his horn solo at the end that was pure willie colon 1970s.

[@drsoultraveler2371]

Yes!

[@dagondelor4177]

🤣🤣🤣

[@cndluluv]

This is the most joyful thing I have ever watched/listened to. If you can’t find your groove here, the world can’t help you.

[@tracydorsey1541]

Wow. You said it.

[@jimjiminyjaroo300]

Too right🤣😂

[@jazzmight]

Bhangra meets New Orleans. Happy Holi indeed!

[@504CreoleCrystal]

vanessa they DEFINITELY made me think of the brass bands here!

[@filippoa3854]

India goes to balkans!

[@Jasmine-et4zm]

I could've sworn they played at the Blue Nile

[@shohanrahman1634]

NPR never ceases to blow us away with their cultural variety.

[@nathanmatusek9244]

It says the audio engineer is Josh Rogosin. GJ Josh. Another amazing recording.

[@tristanvadimterranova8053]

Besides the EXCELLENT music, I'm in total worship with the state-of-the-art moustache !

[@njules3243]

What tha???? How they heck did these talented people come together and create THIS??? Damn amazing this mashup of styles that work so well together. These musicians must have all traveled the globe on their own paths before coming together as a band in order to be on this musical wavelength together. Thanks NPR! It's rare that I hear an artist or band that excites me these days.

[@thiagohermes4806]

Every time I see NPR's playlist I don't go for the famous artists, I look for the weirdest ones. And they're all fantastic, it never fails!

[@ethanp5948]

I knew it was going to slap when he started violining the guitar within the first minute

[@BuddyGuyBlue]

What an infectious performance! The band clearly brought the party to NPR. I am so high on energy right now!!

[@emberos]

holy wtf. first time in awhile i've been this surprised by a band. i don't even know what to call this - a little bit of new orleans brass, a little bit of chuck brown drum and bass, a little bit of south asian / middle east flair . . . and then they close it out with what i will call thrash salsa. this was 17 minutes of me having a stupid grin on my face wondering what was coming next . . . my head is spinning and i love it :)

[@RhymingMime]

Thrash salsa!!!

[@RikardPeterson]

I know what you mean - my first encounter with them was on their previous Tiny Desk appearance (well worth looking up!). I also can't recommend their album Chaal Baby enough.

[@AlexTuble]

SkelliGGwent I think you should be clear that this is Indian music. Salsa is Latin American. And, the Middle East use completely different instruments and rhythms.

[@emberos]

indian / south asia is accurate i think geographically speaking. middle east i'm probably just off on but to my admittedly inexperienced ear some of the chanting / vocals sounded that way. the last song was in spanish and felt like salsa sped up a bit thus i coined the phrase "thrash salsa". at any rate, i hear you - i'm just saying this was an amalgam of so many flavors of music that i haven't heard put together in quite this way before and i enjoyed the heck out of it. cheers.

[@isladecepcion7950]

si quieres escuchar buenos bronces debes escuchar "banda conmoción"

[@violetxoxox]

Whoa, this is awesome, but tuba guy has truly made my day. He's dancing around with that tuba like it's nothing.

[@liannemerron3406]

This made me cry. It's amazing what humans can do together!

[@merik1991]

These boys have no idea how much of a big hit they can be on the balcans,I started dancing around in my home and would gladly pay to listen to them at a festival!

[@mayankimmortal]

I'm an Indian and I wanna come to the balkans to dance

[@txsphere]

The sound guy is amazing. Recording a group like that in that space and getting every instrument must be difficult.

[@arnoldlane68]

#true

[@ameetaganatra7288]

txsphere Yes, he certainly is!

[@chimpansi2]

Indeed, the sound is always excellent👍🏼

[@obliviousduck5624]

Rip, sound staff never gets the credit they deserve

[@jordanwoodworks]

never ever

[@BradleyCarls]

Anyone else notice the random head bobbing up and down over the bookcase in the top left corner? hahaha

[@theodore738]

Best seat in the house lol

[@lauradoggett349]

Bradley Carls I

[@willcharles3419]

#soundguyjamin'

[@arnoldlane68]

omg I wouldn't have noticed too but now I'm scared

[@tanaysood]

can't unsee!!

[@omgraham16]

Dude slays a trombone solo at the end (during the go-go infused jam following directly after the thrash salsa session)....amazing

[@doublel10202]

I’m so late to this party. Absolutely one the best Tiny Desk Concerts I’ve seen yet.

[@timpaulsen3917]

Wow.. Spectacular to say the least.. I'm suddenly aware of how bad my job sucks..

[@ramankathpalia5746]

Your comment made me laugh so hard!

[@CC-jh4kd]

i suddenly want to host a feast and invite these guys haha wonderful

[@Azizajewelry]

These guys performed at my friends wedding in Brooklyn and I also saw them live. They made it so lively and fun!

[@timmccoy9881]

I like the new camera angles. I don't understand how people can give music a thumbs down? Stay open minded and find something you like about it. Never heard of this group but they are doing their thing, their way with their own twist. Thanks for showing me something new. Jam on guys!!!

[@TheRealHobbesIsReal]

Tiny Desk just keeps improving their production and it's awesome.

[@vajreshwarishekar4980]

cent percent

[@redbaraat]

Follow us here: @nds

[@citizend13]

his mustache game is on point

[@mary-katherineb.713]

I think my eyes went as wide as saucers at 7:22, oh my gosh. I agree with some other people here by saying this was one of the most surprising and impressive groups in the NPR collection.

[@alevega3953]

Hermosa musica hermosa morada

[@redbaraat]

Follow us here: @nds

[@kixigvak]

In today's world one of the best things a person can be is a musician.

[@nicolalang5603]

Fleabag?

[@shervellebergholz]

What the wha....???? I am so here for ALL OF THIS!!😍😍

[@CleopatraPhilopator]

I love Tiny Desk Concerts for exposing great, great talent from all around the world! Thank you for expanding my musical knowledge!

[@tomreid473]

My ears are on fire, I can’t keep my hands from flailing in the air, and my feet won’t stop moving. Something’s got a hold on me...

[@rafael.aaraujo]

How has it been almost 3 years since this fantastic video is out and I hadn't seen it?! Mind successfully blown!

[@rattlecage666]

nASTY!!...BADASS!!!...Insanely funky!!! ...simply blew the lid off my day! ...pure genius ....I'd pay money to play Bass for this band

[@blaqgurl]

this totally caught me off guard......Yeeeeeees I love it!

[@elipine6739]

0:00 - Sialkot 1:50 - Zindabad 7:25 - Bhangale 11:35 - Se Hace Camino

[@dave8323]

I love it when people do this, its so helpful

[@commandrogyne]

bro the bassist is using a bow on his bass and I have seen NO comments about it?? this band slaps tho you can just feel the joy and enthusiasm coming from everyone in that room

[@redbaraat]

It's actually a guitar!

[@commandrogyne]

@@redbaraat oh my b! shape looked like a bass to me and my screens too small to count strings

[@karenferguson3078]

Ok Macklemore is still my favorite Tiny desk concert but when you parade into NPR like Madi gras meets India and then play an electric guitar like a violin while throwing confetti like Rip Taylor you command attention! I love you guys!

[@justinklein713]

Was totally not expecting that Spanish!

[@sicarrioh3395]

🤣 Wilson from Home Improvement dancing behind the bookshelf.

[@achuthankannan9050]

This is so inspired by the Great Indian Wedding Brass Band. Awesome how cultures mingles and fuse and come out like clashing currents in the ocean :-) amazed

[@rudeboyjohn3483]

Its a Sikh marching band that plays like a 3rd wave ska band playing folk metal music....this is awesome

[@antobal]

what a lungs and groove that sousaphone man!!! great music, really invited to chile!

[@jonnyjpg_]

Reminds me of the Hindu Ozomatli. This is great!

[@flowersafeheart]

Their outfits! The joyful way they entered the room!! This is so much energy I'll watch the rest when not about to wind down for bed. Just 2 min in can already tell it's beautiful!!

[@russellclose2787]

I found this video a few years ago and I can’t help but come back to it every now and then, just because it’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard. Kudos to the sound crew on this one!

[@Clockles87]

If I'm ever having a bad day, I'm coming straight back here. Love the energy, sounds, and overall presentation *bookmarks page*

[@amarullahetdi6172]

damn it was sikh

[@weissmon]

lmao that caught me off guard

[@sandrazanotto7224]

Glen harsad

[@swatson108]

Amarullah Etdi hahaha

[@zyxwvut4740]

That Trumpet player was…

[@Rasbiff]

Isn't the trumpet player wearing a Parsi cap?

[@walterduran7587]

my boy Sunny we used to play in a band call Outernationals, still doing his thing great person!!

[@petethegreekre]

Great job sound engineering people! Big round of applause, the sound is spectacular in there with all those books.

[@NYTruthseeker]

Fantastic!!! Fun!!! Love Bhangra, this fusion, the Spanish, and your smiles!!!! Thank you!

[@sashafierce1011]

That soprano sax solo was phenomenal!

[@deputyseal409]

I LOVE a band with a lot of percussion.

[@snitch716]

I started this video thinking it was a New Orleans funeral, then it became a DC Go-Go track! Respect!

[@timetorelax591]

Joel Osteen killin on the horn lol. This was super dope

[@HotStrange]

Jerrell Blackshire lmaoooooo man they got him and Obama on drums. Line-up is stacked.

[@thewiseindian5605]

😄

[@sheenaperez1882]

😩😭

[@LIBqueen]

😂

[@leighellington21]

IM DYIN! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@nhattuyenvodieu3103]

the best is the dancing head behind the books

[@surferboycoolable]

Nhat Tuyen Vo Dieu I saw Zuma

[@alcarolino8807]

I was looking for this comment, or else i'll comment it myself.

[@pretsel5132]

These guys are truly the epitome of awesome

[@saritaallelygomezmadrigal5611]

Me fascinaron... Me dan ganas de bailar, contagian su energía positiva, alegría y cantan en español 😍

[@ethanmessere2055]

What a party. A happy way to start out a Friday.

[@jkramer5]

This s the most amazing sound I have heard in years .......... yes yes yes and more yes please !!!!

[@IsaacSchubert]

just heard these guys in Butte. SO GOOD live!

[@sheenaperez1882]

I'm from the DMV and I love this... I can definitely hear the go-go in it...

[@HWTMPH]

Even though I dont understand what they're saying, I love this... music is like math, its the same in every language.

[@KMO325]

As a DC native, I have heard a lot of interpretations of Go-Go, but I have never heard of something like this. Nice.

[@blaaklife3790]

KMO 325 so glad someone said it gogo 4 life

[@sheenaperez1882]

I'm from the DMV and I love this... I can definitely hear the go-go in it...

[@BoomSkwad47]

While they are rhythmically identical (I think), this is a very standard rhythm in Indian music, especially bhangra. Either way it generates a solid pocket for any jam.

[@booboodadfool8015]

Well the God father Chuck Brown took alot of inspiration from new Orleans brass bands so the roots are quite similar...but I thought the same

[@SweetsE1983]

It does sound like a brass band, go-go, rock, banghra fusion and I’m loving it!

[@cestsibon2468]

I seriously LOVE these guys

[@roxyfire]

"todo el mundo puede cambiar. Se hace camino al andar" liked this 🤩🤩

[@robertcook2572]

Headphones recommended; that's a sumptuous sound!

[@mattgraham1398]

So cool to see the audience! Never got that perspective before!

[@OleksiiTheAngry]

thank you Red Baraat, thank you tinydesk NPR Music folks! It is sheer fun!

[@MrBubyV]

I love these Tiny Desk Concert Series 💕

[@grga4526]

Amazing, and surprising in all aspects of multi-cultural music. We were created equal, plus music gives us that identity that surpass as human beings.

[@hubsonekka]

Guys had fun... most important... and audience had it too... good luck Red Baraat !!!!

[@joeplavin]

First tiny desk to make me instantly go to Spotify

[@dallyonggi9723]

By far my favorite Tiny Desk Concert! Couldnt stop smiling, I could feel the energy through my screen!

[@DanielinLaTuna]

These comments are hilarious. Obama on the drums, Osteen on the horn. NPR listeners are a rare bunch.

[@vanessadewees7409]

Hahahaha

[@silentstruggle31]

I don't care!!! IF I DIE I WANT THEM AT MY FUNERAL!!!!!👀! Nbs♥️🙃

[@fireyflower6643]

Great way to mark yr passing

[@johnwrath3612]

When I lived in Ireland, I went to an Irish funeral. We had a brief service in the church, but 95% of the funeral was people singing, dancing, drinking whiskey and stout, and toasting the dearly departed. Celebrate life + mourn it's passing. If I ever hear these guys rockin out at a funeral parlor, i'll tip my hat to your life, random internet stranger.

[@otegadamagic]

You'd have immortalised urself that way lol

[@rahulgoswami1320]

Indians already use it...

[@raghavsharma3211]

Actually in india if a guy has had a great life and lived sufficiently long enough this kind of music is pretty usual at the funeral procession.

[@eddy-8830]

It’s impressive, they mix the entire world in their music, lots of energy, unbelievable!!!!!!!, Its Rock, rap, Jazz, Latin I don’t know but I love it

[@MensahAcademics]

Rules are made to be broken! Let freedom reign!

[@KaranKapoorIndia]

I think i burned calories just listening to this! So much energy:)

[@koejoe]

You have to give it to get it!!

[@prof.rodolforocha7852]

Perfeito! Muito bom mesmo! Meus parabéns, meus irmãos!

[@earltdynamite4348]

If NPR Tiny desk had a greatest hits, this definitely would be on volume one ☝️

[@RMCMichigan]

How can you sit still with this music!? Thank you KZbin algorithm!

[@rafaelporsani7530]

Nossa! Que som maravilhoso!!!!!

[@jnfran92]

¡Todo el mundo puede cambiar, se hace el camino al andar!

[@ruthwezeman6700]

I am blown away. This is the stuff that makes America great

[@SebastianShaneSibila]

one of the best bands lately. Period. Hang on that was recorded in 2017, why haven't I heard of it before!

[@kudzub]

Such fun and enjoyable music. Makes​ me want to dance around... and throw confetti.

[@joseespinoza6283]

Great performance, full of creative energy and "ritmo sabrosón"

[@DerekSmit]

What do you get when you put all cultures, races and music styles in a blender? This, and it's awesome!