Sounds of SXSW 2015 #32: Golden Dawn Arkestra

It's getting to be that time of year again, y'all. That time in March when spring is tantalizingly close, and when bands from just about every corner of the earth (and the music press who loves them) gathers in Austin for SXSW. I know some folks think it's just a big industry schmooze-fest, but I still get a thrill out of checking out the (massive) list of bands and finding someone new to fall in smit with. The bands I'm profiling this year are bands that I would definitely seek out were I going to SXSW this year. If you're going to Austin, or even if you're not, give them a listen.

If you're the son of the legendary Sun Ra, this kind of thing is already in your blood. Zapot Mgwana, leader of the Golden Dawn Arkestra, has dramatic, tribal, spaced-out noise in his genes, and he puts that natural ability to good use in his outfit. A wide assortment of wonderfully weird sounds are fused together into epic songs, and I can't even fathom how entrancing this band must be live.
  




[posted 3.15.15]