Varijashree Venugopal Signs to GroundUP Music Label by Snarky Puppy’s Michael League

Bengaluru-based Carnatic and fusion artist Varijashree Venugopal is the first Indian signed to GroundUP Music, the label run by American band Snarky Puppy’s bandleader Michael League. Venugopal, a composer, vocalist and flautist, will release her debut album Vari via the label that’s home to Grammy-winning artists in May 2024.

The announcement comes as Venugopal and her group of musicians traveled to Miami for the GroundUP Music Festival and performed on February 4th, alongside the likes of Snarky Puppy, Venezuelan act C4 Trio and jazz multi-instrumentalist Nate Wood. The Indian artist performed songs off Vari for the first time at the festival. Venugopal confirms that the album will be out in May 2024, with a single coming up this month.

She says in a statement about signing with GroundUP Music, “Presenting the sound and soul of Indian music to the world on a global music platter has been my life goal. As a student of Carnatic music, this is the biggest way in which I can celebrate the culture of my land. This journey of mine is meeting it’s first of milestones in the form of my upcoming original music album Vari. There could not have been anyone better than the magnificent genius and my dear friend Michael League (Snarky Puppy) to produce my album. It is an immense honor to be the first Indian artist to be published on GroundUp Music, a USA-based record label that is a ‘by artists – for artists’ record label always standing in support of uniquely original music and music makers.”

League, who has worked as producer on Vari has visited India a few times in the past, most recently with Snarky Puppy performing in Mumbai and Gurugram in December 2023. He adds in his statement about working with Venugopal, “For us at GroundUP, it’s an honor to welcome Varijashree Venugopal to the label as our first Indian artist. With her album, Vari, she exemplifies the philosophy that GroundUP was built upon – innovation through mastery of tradition. We are thrilled to support her in her musical journey of breaking barriers and carrying the rich legacy of Carnatic music into new and unexpected places.”

According to the label’s website, GroundUP Music releases have drawn more than 40 million annual streams from 160 countries. Spanning jazz, world, R&B, rock, and more, albums by David Crosby, Snarky Puppy, Michael League, Bokanté, Becca Stevens, House Of Waters, Cory Henry are more have been part of the roster.

Check out footage from Venugopal’s set at GroundUP Music Festival in Miami below.

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