Audio By Carbonatix
Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, world-beat rock band Toubab Krewe is kinda like Animal Collective’s cousin from the country whose long-absent daddy happens to be the Dead. Taking cues from indie rock, psychedlic jam, and traditional Malian tuneage, the Krewe twists out songs — i.e. “Holy Grail” and “51 Ft. Ladder” — that sound like they should be bleeding from an old, beat-up boombox at a truck stop in Bamako.
But the five-member outfit doesn’t just settle for adding some authentic African instrumentation — soku, kamel ngoni, and kora — to its guitar, drum, and bass.
In fact, the Krewe takes fusion to an almost existential level, jamming out with African-American poet Umar Bin Hassan, trekking to Mali and other Mother Continent spots, and communing with the spirit of Ali Farka Touré.
This trip isn’t a weekender. It an all-consuming, lifelong quest.
When news happens, Miami New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Toubab Krewe. Thursday, November 18. Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets cost $13.50 via wantickets.com. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com.
