Galactic Biography

Call it Mardi Gras, or call it Carnivale. Galactic captures the modern vibrancy of this annual bacchanal - and blazes a trail to its future - on Carnivale Electricos, the group's most ambitious release to date, set for release on Mardi Gras Day, Feb 21, via Anti- Records. Over the course of thirteen tracks, Galactic explores the connections between the Mardi Gras in their native New Orleans and the mighty megacarnivals of Brazil, whisking listeners between neighborhoods and cultures on a parade of genres from blistering rock, hip hop and r&b, to samba, zydeco, jazz and of course, funk.

NOLA guests on the record span several generations and styles from Neville brothers Cyril and Ivan, to rappers Mannie Fresh and Mystikal (making one of his first recordings since being released from prison); from Big Chief Juan Pardo, one of the youngest Mardi Gras Indians, to the KIPP Renaissance High School Band, one of the city's most riotous marching bands.

Brazilian influences on the album are similarly diverse including a cover of the Sergio Mendes Carnivale classic "Magalenha" and Galactic's new composition, "Guero Bounce," which pairs Brazilian rhythms with a New Orleans Bounce beat. "Julou," named for the band's own off-the-grid Mardi Gras parade, is inspired by another popular Carnivale melody, while " O Côco da Galinha" features rising Rio samba star Moyseis Marques.

Galactic will tour the US extensively this winter and spring, headlining some of its largest venues to date, including a stop at NYC's Terminal 5 on Feb 25 for a show that will feature special guests Steel Pulse. Corey Glover (Living Colour) and Corey Henry (Rebirth Brass Band) will join the group as special guest vocalists, while openers on the tour will include Orgone and the Soul Rebels. See below for complete dates.

Following the breakout critical success of their previous two albums From The Corner To The Block (2007), and Ya-Ka-May (2010), Carnivale Electricos represents an unparalleled cross-section of contemporary carnival music that required Galactic to draw on all the skills, stamina, and funk they deploy at their annual all-night Lundi Gras concerts, which like the band itself have become a NOLA institution. In the nearly two decades since the band began, they've performed or recorded with everyone from BB King and Jeff Beck to Jurassic 5 and The Roots, playing every major US festival along the way including Coachella, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Bonnaroo, and of course JazzFest.

Galactic is:
Ben Ellman: harps and horns
Robert Mercurio: bass
Stanton Moore: drums and percussion
Jeff Raines: guitar
Rich Vogel: keyboards