Prince Rama of Ayodha

Taraka and Nimai Larson grew up in the tangled woods of the Texas hill country amidst incense and incantations of ancient Sanskrit chants. The first story ever read to them was the Indian legendary epic, the Ramayana, and they grew up reenacting the pastimes of Prince Rama of Ayodhya long before they knew these childhood imprints would make a lasting impression on their musical careers. When the family moved to a farming community out in Florida, they met Michael Collins, and together they realized their destiny was to make music together. They first played under the name Däsi for over four years and attracted a regional cult following, but it was from the dissolution of this previous incarnation that Prince Rama of Ayodhya was spawned during the summer of 2007. The new project grew with fomenting rapidity from the vernal heat of the Florida swamps, weaving melodies from the patterns of pine orchards and pre-Columbian artifacts, and tapping rhythms out of chants, dance, and ancient trance techniques. Fueled by Taraka’s chameleon-like songwriting, then expounded by Nimai’s tribal drumming and Michael’s sci-fi synth lines, each song became transformed into a sonic safari taking listeners through the celestial residue and archaeological constellations of a timeless civilization pining for self realization, while still remaining faithful to anthemic melodies that could haunt the hearts of kings. The trio recorded their first album with School Glue Records (with an anticipated release in December 2007), and Michael and Taraka have since moved to Boston for art school where word has spread rapidly about their engaging and often unpredictable live shows, replete with flickering 16mm double projections, werewolf summonings, and Sanskrit invocations. One moment futuristic psych-folk, the next ancient campfire surrealism, Prince Rama of Ayodhya’s unique brand of experimental pop will continue to transform and transcend itself with rabid fervor…


Oh Sanders | the Binary Forest Faux Pas | Snare and a Chair | Prince Rama of Ayodha