Prabir Mehta, of the Prabir Trio, just released his newest album Long After The Empire, an emotional and sonic adventure blending his Indian heritage and American experiences. The record offers a deeply personal narrative, inviting listeners on a journey through India, enriched by both cultural exploration and rock-and-roll influences.

Prabir describes the album as a reflection on family, faith, and the memories his homeland evokes. “These songs are near and dear to me,” he says. “From family-inspired tunes in Gujarat to moments of reflection in Rishikesh, this album captures precious memories while taking the listener on a small journey across the subcontinent.”

The Prabir Trio, featuring Kelli Strawbridge on drums and vocals, Jeremy Flax on bass, and Kenneka Cook on vocals and percussion, delivers a rich blend of sound on Long After The Empire. This album is not just a musical journey but a spiritual one, as the trio weaves elements of Indian music including layered sounds of harmonium and tanpura drones throughout the album, and Prudhvi Meda on mridanga. The result is a true cross-cultural experience.

This musical fusion, delivered in three languages—English, Gujarati, and Hindi—demonstrates the Trio’s versatility. The Trio illustrates the connectivity between east and west by adding new layers to its signature sound. The band’s hook-laden rock and roll suffused with Indian elements now includes layered sounds of harmonium and tanpura drones throughout the album, and Prudhvi Meda on mridanga now joins the band.

“The western world is used to harmonic motion,” says Mehta. “But raga uses melodic and rhythmic motion to keep the listener interested. And the backing band still keeps it rooted in rock and roll.”

The album’s opening track, “Om,” sets a meditative tone with a spiritual prayer, while “Sabarmati River” compares the rivers of India and Virginia, bridging the bicultural life Mehta has lived. In “You Can’t Drink In Ahmedabad,” Prabir humorously touches on Gujarat’s prohibition policy, while “Viramgam” brings the personal loss of loved ones to life through its mournful tone.

Side B features the lively, gospel-inspired “Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva,” turning Hinduism’s holy trinity into a metaphor for life as a party. The album closes with “Prayer Song,” a fitting end that celebrates life’s gifts, from water to friendships.

The upcoming live performances promise to bring these songs to life, starting with album release shows in Richmond and Charlottesville, followed by a series of East Coast dates.

Prabir’s journey through sound and spirit is captured in Long After The Empire, a testament to his ability to bridge the worlds of his Indian roots and American rock. His new album is more than music—it’s a map of his life’s connections, told with energy, emotion, and soul.

 

Photography by Joey Wharton.