Shahjehan Khan, guitar; Sunny Ali, guitar and vocals; Basim Usmani, bass and vocals; Karna Ray, drums
The Kominas began in 2005 as self-styled exemplars of Bollywood punk. Their dance-oriented sound is a wild blend of 1977-era hardcore, reggae, Punjabi folk tunes, surf rock, disco, and dub. The musicians, Americans of South Asian heritage, sing in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi as well as English. Their lyrics proclaim a bold political awareness, with broad streaks of humor, outrage, and the absurd; the songs are meant to catalyze change in the predominantly white culture while simultaneously fostering a safe and fun space for listeners of color. The Kominas have toured widely in the US, Canada, and Europe, and their recordings and a video session for the BBC have won the group many fans in South Asia. According to the band, “The Kominas aren’t from this world but they’ve learned to deal with its problems. They’ve been described as weird brown guys in a punk band, but really they are just trying to help themselves feel better. Maybe they can help you too.”
Every Thursday in July and August, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Live music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Regular Museum admission applies. Performances take place in the Sculpture Garden. In the event of rain, the Garden will close, and music will take place in Theater 1. Please note: Sculpture Garden and indoor seating are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The musical component of Summer Thursdays 2018 celebrates musicians living and working in New York City. Organized in collaboration with PopRally, the series hosts a variety of sounds that explore the City’s expansive musical landscape. Each evening, unique sonic flavors fill the Sculpture Garden with a range of blended genres such as dream punk, Afrofuturist soul, funk fusion, hip-hop, experimental, and lo-fi baroque pop.