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Drop Electric performing last year at the Rock and Roll Hotel
"We decided early on that we wanted to make this show a benefit for Empower DC. We feel they are doing some of the best community organizing work in the city," said Ramtin Arablouei, Drop Electric's drummer.
Arablouei was central to planning Saturday's show and used his contacts in the Iranian-American community to organize the event. Empower DC's co-director, Parisa Norouzi, is an Iranian-American activist. The show will also feature Hypernova, a Brooklyn-based outfit whose members originally hail from Iran. With most public performances of Western music banned in their home country, the band was forced to play out of earshot from the religious police. They are one of the first bands to emerge from Iran's underground scene, having toured in this country with acts like Sisters of Mercy.
"Even though they are not an overtly political band, Hypernova and their music reflect what is going on in the minds of many of Iran's youth," Arablouei said. "It is a real testament to the diversity and power of the Iranian diaspora that several Iranians and Iranian-Americans have come together to put on this show."
The benefit will also feature local band Dangerosa and ubiquitous DJ v:shal kanwar, who will spin between sets and join Drop Electric on tabla for much of their performance.
DCist reported last year on the tragedy that struck Drop Electric's former vocalist, Padma Soundararajan. She lost both her parents and two sisters last year in a car accident, and is now the guardian of two brothers who survived the wreck, both of whom have mental disabilities. While she no longer performs, Soundararajan has recorded vocals for Drop Electric's forthcoming debut album.
"I think the outpouring of support from the community has really helped Padma get through the pain of such a great loss." said Arablouei. "Padma is an amazing person. She is and will always be a part of what we do."
Drop Electric & Co will perform on Saturday, July 18 at the Rock and Roll Hotel. 8:30 p.m. doors/9:30 p.m. show. $10 with proceeds benefiting Empower DC.
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