afro psychedelic rock

orchestra GOLD is an oakland-based psychedelic afro-rock band centered around the voice of malian singer mariam diakité and guitarist erich huffaker.

the music draws from west african devotional traditions and electric psychedelic rock. guitars, horns, and deep rhythmic grooves carry the sound forward.

the project began when huffaker met diakité in ségou, mali and recorded together during an early session that revealed a natural musical connection. after navigating the process of bringing diakité to the united states on an artist visa, the two began building a band in oakland.

today orchestra gold performs as a 5–6 piece group, with a live show rooted in malian musical traditions and the energy of psychedelic rock.

diakité’s voice carries the spiritual influence of the baye fall sufi tradition, grounding the music in devotion and ancestral rhythm.

the group has performed at festivals and venues including newport folk festival, pickathon, hardly strictly bluegrass, edmonton folk festival, sxsw, joshua tree music festival, yerba buena gardens festival, and malmö festival.

their work has been featured by the boston globe, songlines, kexp, and okayafrica.

Often described as “like Fela on acid,” the band sits in a constellation alongside artists such as Bombino, Vieux Farka Touré, Songhoy Blues, Antibalas, GOAT, and Here Lies Man.

““Like Cheikh Lô, Mariam Diakité is a follower of the mystical Baye Fall sect, and her hypnotic Bambara vocals and devotional lyrics add a spiritual grounding to the hurling hedonism of one of the most joyous records you’re likely to hear this year.””
— Nigel Williamson, Songlines
““... a boisterous fusion of spiritual West African roots and explosive psych-rock.””
— — Josh Mason-Quinn
““.. a force of nature. You just walk out feeling energized after an Orchestra Gold show. It pierces a frequency that really taps into your soul.””
— Wonway Posibul, KALW