Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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".
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
. 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.
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.
, harmonium
Shyam Kishore - tabla
, sarod
Vrinda Rani - bharata-natyam dancer
Jvala Mukhi - backing Vocals, tambura
Nistha Raj - violin
Various other musicians perform at various shows, most being local musicians.
Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is a record label based in Albany, New York, which has a focus in metal or punk-based rock genres. Equal Vision Records was founded in the early 1990s by Ray Cappo ....
new sub-label, Mantralogy. They perform Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
-conscious music.
History
As Kindred Spirits was founded in 1998 by Gaura Vani and Shyam Kishore to bring kirtanKirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
, a genre of spiritual music from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The music "combines traditional Indian kirtan music with Western elements such as 12-string guitar, gospel choruses, and hip-hop rhythms".
Gaura Vani was born in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, but at the age of six, moved to Vrindavan
Vrindavan
Vrindavan also known as Vraj is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
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
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
studios and temples, along with touring to larger venues and festivals, such as Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
. They also tour internationally to countries such as Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and India. They also founded the first ever sold-out Chant4Change kirtan-festival in Washington, DC during President Obama's
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
inauguration.
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.
Band members
Gaura Vani - vocalsSinging
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
Shyam Kishore - tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
, sarod
Sarod
The sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan...
Vrinda Rani - bharata-natyam dancer
Jvala Mukhi - backing Vocals, tambura
Tambura
The tambura, tanpura, or tambora is a long-necked plucked lute . The body shape of the tambura somewhat resembles that of the sitar, but it has no frets – only the open strings are played to accompany other musicians...
Nistha Raj - violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
Various other musicians perform at various shows, most being local musicians.