Atash
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- myspace.com/atash
- WEB SITE:
- atash.com
Atash was born in the vibrant arts and music scene of Austin, Texas, where musicians called The Gypsies began creating an exquisite fusion of world sounds as early as 1996. Quickly hailed as "Austin's best-kept secret!" (Austin Chronicle), The Gypsies earned numerous accolades for their theatre and film scores, most notably their "live" score to Tod Browning's 1929 silent thriller, The Unknown, and their incidental music to the play The Conference of the Birds, by Peter Brooks. As personnel changed and their music evolved, in 2001 the group became Atash, a name which evokes the life-giving ritual fire of ancient Persia, and embarked on their first summer-long "Fear No Venue" tour of the American West Coast. The group quickly won the hearts of even the unlikeliest of audiences, and returned to Austin triumphant, arriving home after 24 hours crossing the desert at 7am on September 11, 2001... The events set in motion on that date changed the course of many things, including the path of Atash. Within two weeks they were back in L.A. for a 9-11 Disaster Relief Benefit Concert at the Sunset Room, invited to perform immediately following a surprise appearance by the Counting Crows. When they returned to Austin, Atash began organizing collaborative concerts for peace with musicians from around the world. In 2002, in recognition of Atash's continual efforts for peace, the group was invited by the Texas Civil Liberties Project to open for speaker Noam Chomsky; and in 2003 by the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram to open for the trancendental speaker Ram Dass, author of Be Here, Now. In the late summer of 2002, the churning global events inspired Atash to create the company Ars Mundi to begin their labor-intensive debut recording project. That album -- Republic of Love -- released in May of 2003, is a mystical anthem for the ideals of love, peace, and tolerance, and it quickly catapulted the group into a strenuous schedule of touring, first in the American Southwest, then to the Sun Moon Lake Festival in Taiwan, then back to the West Coast. By 2004, the group had sold out of their initial printing of Republic of Love, and received regular invitations to tour around the U.S. and abroad. The group appeared in the prestigious SXSW festival for two years in a row (2003, 2004), earning favorable recommendations and reviews in the media. In October, Atash revived their "live" soundtrack for the 1929 Tod Browning silent film The Unknown for appearances in Macau, China, at the WAC fest and Fringefest. In November of 2004, Atash and Ars Mundi began their "Global Harmony" concert series, featuring Atash in collaboration with musicians and dancers from around the world, to critical acclaim. This project is continuously under development, in preparation for touring in the U.S. and overseas, along with a children's version of "Global Harmony," and musical workshop series. With the tsunami disaster of December, 2004, Atash and Ars Mundi are currently exploring ways to connect the "Global Harmony" concert series with relief for the survivors of the disaster. One word frequently used to describe Atash is "world class," as if it is unexpected of a world music group from Austin. (We beg to disagree -- Austin is one of the most fertile musical landscapes imaginable!) The group's members acknowledge the privilege of having the highest calibre of influences, having collaborated and/or mentored with greats such as Fairouz, Ali Akbar Khan, Simon Shaheen, L. Subramaniam, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Aashish Khan, Vigen, Francois Rabbath, Ram Narayan, Kazem Al Saher, Chuck Rainey, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and many other distinguished artists. Atash’s debut album, Republic of Love, was recorded at Congress House studio in Austin, Texas, and was co-produced by the award-winning producer Mark Hallman (Carole King, Oasis, Ani DiFranco). The album features the original quintet's compositions with Persian vocals by Mohammad Firoozi; Roberto Riggio on violin, viola, and oud; John Moon on violin; Dylan Jones on upright bass, and Jason McKenzie on Indian and Arabic tabla and drumset. Also featured are outstanding musicians from India -- Indrajit Banerjee on sitar, Gaurisankar on tabla, Sathish Pathakota on mridangam -- and Austin guitar virtuoso Glenn Rexach. The work has earned international kudos and is played on radio stations throughout the world. The next major tour in the works for Atash will be the Iberian Tour of the summer of 2005, in Spain and Portugal, marking Atash's European debut.
UPCOMING EVENTS |
PAST EVENTS
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"Love Or Die" World Music Masquerade & Halloween Dance Party
Fri. 10/31 | 9:00PM @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
"Love or Die" World Music Masquerade Halloween Dance Party. A night full of magic and mystique, treasures and treats. Ararat will tantalize you with her Egyptian Mummy Wraps and Mary's Bloody …more»
World Beat Dance Party w/ DJ Manolo Black, Lannaya, Atash
Sat. 10/11 | 9:00PM @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
Cafe Mundi Anniversary Party - Atash, John 'Kin'Kin & More!
Fri. 09/12 | 6:00PM @ Cafe Mundi (East of I-35)
World Beats Benefit
Sat. 04/19 | 6:00PM @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
Tribal Nation to Headline World Beats Benefit with special guest AtashThe Austin Community is invited to an evening of world music and festivities to support the work of Refugee Services of Te…more»
Casa Marianella/Posada Esperanza Benefit w/ Buscando el Monte, Lannaya, Ritmo 3, G...
Thu. 04/17 | 7:00PM @ The Monarch (Campus to 183)
On Your Feet: International Music and Dance Extravaganza
Thu. 04/17 | 7:30PM @ The Monarch (Campus to 183)
CLICK "I LIKE IT!" TO WIN FREE TICKETS! 4 PAIR WILL BE GIVEN AWAY An exciting evening of world class music and dance performances that are sure to keep you on your feet! Featur…more»
UT Middle Eastern Ensemble, Atash, 1001 Nights Orchestra
Thu. 03/20 | 6:00PM @ Central Market North (Campus to 183)
Artopium Roving Festival ~ The Eastern Mystics Edition
Sat. 10/13 | 12:00PM @ Hot Mama's Espresso Bar (East of I-35)
Ararat is happy to announce that we will be sponsoring the next Artopium Roving Festival!http://www.myspace.com/secondartrenaissance Saturday, October 13th, 12pm-10pm. Enjoy al…more»
Rattletree Marimba, Atash, and Lannaya-Global Harmony
Thu. 10/04 | 9:00PM @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
Austin to Africa: Celebration fo Culture and Community
Sat. 09/22 | 12:00PM @ Central Market North (Campus to 183)
An event featuring Central Texas non-profit organizations working to improve the quality of life in Africa. Produced by: Yessera & World Harmony Arts. Contact Staci Livesay, 51…more»
Rattletree, Atash, and Lannaya!! Global harmony celebration
Sat. 07/28 | 9:00PM @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
A celebration of Global harmony. If you missed the last one, don't let it happen again! Come on out and dance!
Leila's Going away Party & Ararat Benefit, July 27th @ Cafe Mundi
Fri. 07/27 | 6:00PM @ Cafe Mundi (East of I-35)
Its true party people.... Our sweet & sexy Leila is moving to France! (Guess she needs a little snoot to balance out all this southern hospitality.... Just kidding..... I'd go too!)So…more»
Global Harmony-Atash and Rattletree CD release party/benefit
Fri. 06/22 | 5:00PM - Sat. 06/23 @ Ruta Maya (South of the river)
World Harmony Arts, Mhumhi Records and Ruta Maya International Headquarters Present:GLOBAL HARMONY A World Music Celebration of AFRICAFriday and Saturday, June 22-3, 5pm - 2am @ Ruta…more»
Atash at Central Market
Fri. 02/16 | 7:00PM - Fri. 02/16 @ Central Market North (Campus to 183)
Atash returns to the outdoor, family atmosphere of Central Park at Central Market in Austin on Friday. Admission is free…more»
Sahara Nights with Atash and Sabaya
Sat. 02/10 | 9:00PM - Sat. 02/10 @ Copa Bar & Grill (Downtown)
Saturday Night, Copa sponsors a world music and dance event called Sahara Nights, from 9pm to 1:30am. At 9pm Middle Eastern music and appetizers are served, spon…more»
Local crusaders On Your Feet present an array of global artists to get you out of your seat. The evening of music and dance features local Latin big band Grupo Fantasma along with the jazz-infused Middle Eastern melodies of Atash, the pounding West African dance rhythms of Lannaya, and the Caribbean carnival beats of Buscando el Monte. Proceeds from the event benefit Posada Esperanza, which helps international refugees and homeless immigrants. – Thomas Fawcett more at austinchronicle.com