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Falu At The Hotel Cafe: Review

Cortney Riles |
November 14, 2013 | 1:09 p.m. PST

Executive Producer

If you’re a musician, music connoisseur, or simply a listener who likes to get down, The Hotel Cafe is the place to be in Los Angeles, any night of the week. The quaint live music venue tucked away off an alley on the Cahuenga Boulevard strip has housed some of today’s most favored singer-songwriters. But Wednesday night was a special night—the vibrance of the dimly lit, talent filled hangout was contagious—it was The Hotel Cafe on steroids…courtesy of Falu.

Falu blew listeners away with her powerfully chilling vocals. (Photo by Courtney Fowler)
Falu blew listeners away with her powerfully chilling vocals. (Photo by Courtney Fowler)

Hailing from Mumbai, Falu is a classically trained singer-songwriter who innovatively merges age-old Indian melodies with contemporary western sounds. She blends raga (the traditional melodic scale in Hindu music) and rock. Gujarat classics and folk tunes. Falu blurs the lines and almost effortlessly redefines world music and last night Los Angeles witnessed her gifts. 

The show got off to a bit of a late start, but when you’re working with six musicians, seven instruments, and a small stage, punctuality can’t be expected. A thrilling set, on the other hand, most definitely can be. As the bass, violin, and acoustic guitars were tuned, and the drum kit and tablas were placed in their respected areas, fans, family and friends poured in. Falu and her band, prepared to play songs from Foras Road (2013), were delighted to be on stage. Beginning with a folk song it was clear that it was not going to be a quiet night. “You can scream, I like screams,” said Falu with a radiant smile following the audience’s applauses as the song ended. “They let me know that w’ere feeling it together!” 

When it comes to an artist  who has been rigorously trained in a genre of music that requires precise annunciation, impeccable breathing, vocal control and elegance—a free-spirited and interactive performance is the last thing you’d expect. But as Falu encouraged fans to dance, taught them how to clap properly, it was clear that smooth transitions isn’t the only thing she’s mastered. 

The joyous evening was the time for Falu to shine, but she made a point to share the spotlight. The fourth tune of the evening—a hundred-year-old Gujarati metaphor for spiritual awakening—included a solo with a country vibe from one of her guitar players, while the next tune featured a funky and friendly battle between the two percussionists (on the tabla and the drums). 

It was hard for the diverse group of listeners not clap, although the difference between the pros and the amateurs was apparent. And to Falu’s wish two fans got up and danced (in the small amount of standing room left), which put everyone else’s foot tapping and head bopping to shame. The night ended in collaboratively however, with a brief sing-off between the men and women in the room, perhaps a representation of Falu’s musical techniques—the audience’s engagement, a testament to the originality and intrigue of her songs. 

Falu’s first performance at The Hotel Cafe made an impression. Much like a sensory-overloading trip to India, her set captivated the attention of everyone in the room…and most likely a few walking down the street who could hear the myriad of instruments through the doors. 

Reach Executive Producer Cortney Riles here. Follow her here. 



 

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