Soundcrash Presents: Terakraft

On 18 April 2014, the mystically psychedelic and politically-fueled Malian desert blues legends Terakaft make their return to London, this time playing the intimate venue Rich Mix.

After selling out their 2013 London show, the second installment is set to be yet another success so make sure you grab yourselves a ticket!

Formed in 2001 Terakaft are a genuine Tuareg desert rock band sculpted by the rolling sands of the Sahara: weathered, dusty, relentless, endless. In the same vein as Tinariwen, there is nothing astonishing about the similarity if you consider that Terakaft was founded by two of the formative Tinariwen members.

"Terakaft is holding a real large share of Tinariwen. We think it is the same band somehow. Different people, same story." Sanou Ag Ahmed, 2013

Through droning guitars, pulsating rhythms, and powerful, mournful vocals, Terakaft – 'Caravan' in their mother tongue – tell tales of a nomadic people, of families displaced, of violence, loss, sadness and defiance. And they do so in a way that creates a united sound which carries within it the spirit of victory, even while singing of defeat. With their unique approach to what is essentially organic psychedelia, and a reflection of the stark atmosphere of their Sahara desert homeland, Terakaft create a sound that perhaps is a more intense, purposeful slant on the desert-rock sound. The subject matter of the songs add an urgency to the delivery and the intensity of the beats, creating an atmosphere that celebrates a culture rich in artistry and diversity.