Rootless ignites cultural bridges with "RakiTaki Tanana"

At a time when so much feels divided, Rootless shows up with a song that exudes the joy that comes from about five minutes on the dance floor. Their new single, "RakiTaki Tanana," is a living, breathing narrative of shared history and cultural binding. "RakiTaki Tanana" is a bridge, a testament to the idea that music doesn't just bridge notes, but also bridges people. These days, Rootless is showing that what brings us together will always be stronger than what sets us apart.

Reminiscent of Punjabi popular upbeats, the song is full of life from the very first beat. Produced by Janos at AG Productions and Sodhi in the UK. Bright brass, buoyant percussion, and vocals full of charisma transport listeners into a sound world where Indian rhythms and Romani folk traditions intermingle seamlessly. What's striking is that this isn't fusion for the sake of fusion, but it is a reclamation of roots.

Rootless, featuring members from the Romani and Indian communities, draws from their lived histories to fashion something that is both thoroughly modern and deeply ancestral. David's vocals, Matus's guitar, Martin's bass, and Elisei's saxophone (all members of the celebrated Romani band ZOR) merge with Sodhi's tabla, Princes' dhol, and Karan's vocals to create a communal heartbeat that's larger than any individual tradition. The effect is spellbinding, a sound that careens between soulful Indian melodies and the wild exuberance of Romani music.

Rootless adopted homeland is Scotland, so they also weave its lively folky and festival spirit into their music, a reflection of a place where Indian and Roma communities rub shoulders. That cultural crossroads also gives "RakiTaki Tanana" an additional sheen of warmth and open-heartedness. The accompanying performance video perfectly crystallizes the song's jubilant mood, and the two saree-clad dancers approach with a mixture of Indian grace and Romani fire; the band, which exudes pure chemistry.