Golden Dawn Arkestra is a critically lauded collective of musicians and dancers who summon deep grooves and cinematic textures through the use of horns, percussion, synths, vibes, and theremin. Their sound (afro-rock/psych/disco) and their sensational live performances (shimmering garments, intricately designed headdresses, burning sage) have won fans at NPR, NME, Kickstarter, Mashable, PopMatters, Clash, The Line of Best Fit, and more.
On October 11, Golden Dawn Arkestra will release their third full length album—Darkness Falls on the Edge of Time—via 11A Records. As always, Golden Dawn Arkestra continue their meditation on the eternal now, but Darkness Falls on the Edge of Time sees the band delving deeper into poetry and lyrical content, bringing forth a new confidence and clarity to their message: as you travel to the edge of time, let the sonic vibrations heal your soul. "On this album, I wanted to talk about how this could be the end for human beings if we don't get our shit together," bandleader Zapot Mgawi tells PopMatters. "But we speak just as much about how music will save you, and about how transcending time and becoming one with 'the now' releases you to a higher consciousness."
The lead single (and video), "Allo Allo Boom," was inspired by a French PSA encouraging drivers to stay off of their cell phones; "Yeah, we're all distracted on our phones while the world's ending," Mgawi says. The second single, "Mama Se," speaks to the idea of music as a healing force—drawing heavily from the band's afro-rock influences, such as Colomach and Witch. The third, "Darkness Falls," which premiered at Psychedelic Baby Magazine, was born from a backyard shack jam. It is the most afro-beat song on the band's upcoming album, drawing heavy influences from late 60s jazz stylings as well. Bandleader Zapot Mgawi says the song "speaks to the dire times we are living through."
The latest single, "Hamza," is an homage to Hamza El Din, the North African oud player. Hamza had a strong influence on bandleader Zapot Mgawi's musical upbringing; his stepfather played oud and actually studied with him. In the song, premiering today at Glide Magazine along with a Q+A, Hamza is tempted by earthly pleasures and desires but continues to dedicate his life to the craft of music. He transcends these temptations by floating on the edge of ecstasy.