Indo Warehouse Raises the Bar with Debut EP Honoring the Hindu Festival of Navratri

Kahani and Kunal Merchant deliver elements of “traditional” meets “modern” in the debut EP on Indo Warehouse, Garba Szn.

Wasting no time since throwing their recent sold-out kickoff party for the inaugural edition of South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW), NYC-based South Asian label Indo Warehouse returns to unleash their debut EP, Garba Szn. Awash with immense electronic inspiration and addictive rhythms and yet staying true to the spirit of their South Asian roots, label founder Kahani partners with Kunal Merchant to flex both the creativity and ingenuity that is poised to set them off on a cohesive journey of electronic wizardry.

This time, they pay homage to the ethos of Navratri, meaning “nine nights” in Sanskrit, a major festival in India that is held annually in honor of the divine feminine. As part of the celebrations, endless rounds of musical tributes and cultural dances, also known as the festive Garba, will be on display. With a commitment to continuously spotlight sounds from their traditional roots, the two powerhouses send the listeners on a unique electronic spin reminiscent of the sounds typical of the local festivities in their latest record.

Right off the bat, the first track, “Baaje” is an unparalleled display of deep house, stabbing drum patterns, and striking rhythms. Indian-American singer-songwriter Aditya cuts deep with his alluring vocals, while Kahani and Kunal Merchant set the track ablaze with an unmatched production style to mix up the influences of an Indo Warehouse flair. Bringing forth a future-house ode to the melodies that are instantly recognizable from attending a Garba, the track reinforces the essence of vibrancy, which is the hallmark of Navratri.

Having been a fan of Aditya’s for some time, I was excited to collaborate with him for the first time on “Baaje.” His voice added a beautifully soulful layer to a record that I produced with a flood of memories, having spent so much time attending Garbas throughout my life.
Kunal Merchant

Swiftly employing rhythmic drum flicks and prominent percussions, the next track, “Dholida” continues to fold into another electrifying arrangement that illuminates the core of Garba. Kahani expresses his desire to marry his signature deep house production style while hosting a dance party to celebrate the blended cultures, he said, “What if we could throw a Garba at a warehouse with high-end sound and lighting reminiscent of modern music festivals? That was the vision.” The spirit of igniting euphoria and power enriches the meaning behind this track, bringing the listeners closer to experiencing the cultures of Navratri.

As Indo Warehouse remains steadfast in its commitment to sharing reinterpretations of traditional South Asian music, the final track demonstrates just that. “Natho” brings a massive, beat-laden electronic signature sound that underpins the deep rhythms of eclectic basslines and baile funk. Sharing about the song creation process, Kahani said that “Natho” was inspired by the uplifting energy it delivers. “That’s what Natho is all about. Inspired by my love for heavy bass-style baile funk, I wanted to use drum patterns to evoke the same feeling yet connect them to our culture. That being said, it’s a global rhythm that can be felt by anyone.”

Listen to “Garba Szn” by Kahani and Kunal Merchant on your preferred platform or Spotify, and let us know what you think of the South Asian dance sound on Twitter!‘

Stream Kahani, Kunal Merchant – Garba Szn on Spotify:

Kahani, Kunal Merchant – Garba Szn – Tracklist:

Baaje

Dholida

Natho

Follow Kahani on Social Media:

Website | Instagram | SoundCloud

Follow Kunal Merchant on Social Media:

Website | Instagram | SoundCloud