Ashwin Batish Sitar Power Group Concerts

Past Concerts by Ashwin Batish & Sitar Power

San Jose Chamber Orchestra featuring Taylor Eigesti Trio and Ashwin Batish on Tabla

Spread the Sitar Power Love :)

Good Vibes for New Times
Review of Concert by Violent Femmes with special guest Ashwin Batish

How could any fan of the Violent Femmes have left the Catalyst show on Sunday feeling unsatisfied? How could anyone have? With a lot of songs from their first album having become all-rock classics they've gained a new status as quirky guitar heroes over the last few years, and they seem comfortable enough with the idea. I'm serious, there were kids who were probably born around the time the Femmes debuted screaming the words to "Blister in the Sun" and "Promise." What a scene.

Did you know that was Ashwin Batish of the Batish's on Mission Street jamming on the sitar up there? He was amazing, especially his duels with bassist Brian Ritchie and drummer Guy Hoffman. Turns out Batish, who says he first started blending Western music into his sitar compositions about ten years ago, met Ritchie in 1989 in Germany, where they were playing some very experimental stuff together. Since then, he says, he's enjoyed playing with the Femmes when the opportunity arises.

"They just give me a call, we don't rehearse or anything," says Batish, who among other things produces instructional tapes on Indian music. "They just say, `play in the key of G.'"

It's a great pairing. Batish's unique Eastern sound and the Femmes unique style of Rock. Kudos to the band for realising it could work and kudos to Batish for playing along..........