The Score Magazine, November 2009

Nov - Dec 2009 Vol 02 Issue 04

For Private Circulation Only ISSN 0974 – 9128

SANJEEV THOMAS those ten things

SHWETHA MOHAN my worst nightmare

SKRAT nuttier by the minute

NEHA BHASIN I want to be marooned with John mayer

MARK JOHNSON our music can change the human race

SHAKIRA There’s a SHE WOLF on the prowl

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Stilettos. Vampires. Werewolves. Add shewolves to that list henceforth. When attempting to appeal to readers in four different states, the stakes and responsibilities are loaded. Fortunately for us at ‘The Score’, we’re (somewhat, by now) experts at working under pressure. This issue is testament to that fact. That said, did I forget to mention Shakira? She rules. Our cover, worldwide charts and every trend. Trendy, soon-to-be trendy, has-been trendy musicians, other artists, timeless music - we bring as many to the forefront as we can, setting trends, breaking some others. We rest our case for this month. Wake up now and add us to the list, we aren’t planning on going out of musical fashion or favor anytime soon!

Nikila Srinivasan Editor-in-chief Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and illustrations. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publication and accordingly no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof. Advertising copy and artworks are the sole responsibility of the advertisers.

inside

Pic : G Venkata Krishnan

13

22

34

thought

First time music director

Inventor

musicians off the street

Satish Chakravarthy gets

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The Girl Who Cried

WOLF  Swati Nair “There’s a she wolf in the closet Open up and set her free There’s a she wolf in your closet Let it out so it can breathe”

A

Shakira has always had the knack of writing relevant lyrics and then spicing it up with beats that make you buzz. That is probably why even at 30, she remains one of the most popular pop artists in the world. Her upcoming album She Wolf is built on a lot of bass, synth and other instruments that fascinate the singer, like tambourines and clarinets; another reason for her fame. She is unafraid to experiment and is influenced by all musical cultures from around the globe. She says that She Wolf was inspired partly by her own imagination and mostly by stories of people she knows. Some of her girlfriends, in particular.

She seems to have depicted herself in the song without any inhibitions, and has dared to venture a little further into realms of her own individuality.

“I think I was always really shy but now I feel more like a woman, so I find myself writing with less prudery. I think that at the very least I know myself better – my virtues, my vices, my resources.”

So is She Wolf like all the other albums she has made? Yes and no. Yes, because it carries the Shakira touch in its songs - the honesty and boldness of her lyrics and the catchy tunes. No, because it is something that you’ve not experienced before.

She Wolf’s music video is imaginative and full of those impossible dance moves that only Shakira can pull off – “Jake Nava directed it, it’s a little surreal, a lot of dancing, a lot of fantasy. I created a lot of my dance moves and I also worked with HiHat, who is one of my favorite choreographers.” If I could dance like her, I’d be my favorite choreographer too. But when two people, both representing absolute genius come together to make a video, the results aren’t ordinary.

If you thought Shakira is only about music and dance, you couldn’t be more wrong! She is part of the ALAS (America Latina en Accion Solidaria) movement in Latin America that despite its name, (which sounds rather hopeless) is all about creating a better future for the 35 million children there through childhood development programs. But Shakira didn’t stop at just being a part of an already existing movement. She started her own which is called Pies Descalzos (meaning bare feet, for those of you who don’t speak espanol). This is for children who are less fortunate and can’t boast about going to the best school in town. Children who live amidst war and bloodshed. In Shakira’s own words: “We work in conflict zones and with children that have been forced to abandon everything due to violence.”

Now you can roll your eyes and think that’s pretty much what most artists do. Sing, make their money, open up a charity fund raiser thing, smile at cameras and talk about all this. So we decided to throw a question at her that would make most people squirm uncomfortably, because you can’t just wiggle your way out of this one. Anyone spouting empty words or rehearsed speeches would be stumped. But not Shakira.

When we asked her how she sees the world, she said: “Having hungry kids and people dying for causes that we can manage, knowing that the solution is in our hands, makes me think humanity is still more primitive than what we like to think it is (in) the sophisticated and modern civilization.” Now, there’s a thought.

Steamy dance scenes, songs that make your feet tap, and a voice that captures every music lover. I could say “That’s Shakira for you!” but she can’t be summarized like that. She is that and a lot more. After all, what can you say about a global phenomenon who makes the world dance to her tunes? Only that she makes you ask for more.

Pix : Sony Music

t the first glance this might sound like one of those songs that use random words and make a patchwork to form sentences that rhyme, more or less.

But if you listen to the whole song you would agree with what Shakira herself has to say about it: “The She Wolf is a woman during the day and an animal at night.

She defends her deepest desires with claws and teeth. She is a free woman and therefore a happy one. The She Wolf is not just me, she’s the women of our time, and perhaps the men too.” And then suddenly it hits you, like all of her other songs that shake you up. You realize how deep they are. And then you go “wow!”

5 Grammy Awards Born with 8 siblings

Won

Was

13 when her first album Magia was released

33 on VH1’s Sexiest Artists Has an IQ of over 140 Has a collection of more than 200 rings Ranked

Shakira

on:

Marriage: “Antonio and I have a home and we function as a married couple. I don’t think that a paper or an institution can unite us more than we already are.”

The Obama Govt: “I think his mission is to find peace in the world and to recover from the crisis. It is not an easy task but I think he is the only politician who has a shot at achieving it.”

Michael Jackson’s death: “He was the King of artistic genius, dance and fantasy.

He reinvented POP and he showed a new way to articulate music with images”

Philosophy: “Every cycle is a new challenge. Every time I begin a cycle, I feel like I’m starting from zero” “I have never been more fulfilled in my life than those times when I’ve witnessed a child who has lost everything smile again. Nothing has given me greater satisfaction than that.

It’s bigger than my career. It just has no comparison.”

(About her inspiration) “I’ve been writing since I was 8 years old and it’s still a mystery to me. There are images that navigate for days in my subconscious until they become songs.

They are like secret codes, which I can’t translate until they become lyrics, and music. We dream about a lot of things every night which we may not remember during the day but they are latent.” www.highonscore.com | 12

Tuning to the CHANGE Have you ever listened to a song on youtube alone in your room, in the middle of the night and felt your heart race? And you know, that it’s the musicians in that video and the passion in their voices that gets you to sing along, not the song itself… Log on to www.playingforchange.com and trust me, chances are you’ll feel it.

 Sonali Shenoy The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Pix : Universal Music

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ou see I always thought that love was the universal language, until this one person corrected me, and told me that it’s music. Normally I would argue to justify my case, but how can you argue with a medium that is not based on logic, just something that can make everybody feel the same thing.

Mark Johnson was on his way to a studio one morning when he saw two monks adorned in white singing in a subway. Close to 200 people who would normally be on their busy way, stopped to watch them. The performance ended. There was applause of course and then the audience disbanded in different directions.

Mark went back to the studio and listened to some of the music they were making. And then it hit him.

Music off the streets: “No matter who you are. No matter where you go in your life. At some point you gonna need somebody in your life, to stand by YOU.” Roger Ridley (now deceased) performed ‘Stand by Me’ on the streets of Santa Monica, California in 2004. And that was inspiration enough for the Grammy winning Johnson to begin his travels

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around the globe, with his Timeless Media Group to bring people together through the music. Stand By Me today is track number one the album, Playing for Change. It features 37 musicians across continents, singing on street corners, beneath lights, a noticeable verandah, in front of spray painted walls and the setting sun….the video till date has received over 18 million YouTube hits.

It took ten years to put together the album, with more than a 100 musicians recorded, innovative recording techniques and a movement of individuals around the globe spreading the word.

Picking up the pace is Bob Marley’s classic War/ No More Trouble with a catchy piece of guitar work to get the song started, and then a steady rhythm, with an occasional glimpse of the African djembe. The song features Bob Marley himself, David Broza (Israel), Rocky Dawuni (Ghana), the Oneness Choir(Chennai), Cathy Jordan (Ireland), to name a few and U2’s Bono.

Now what you’ve got to understand is the artists on the album are virtually unknown to the world (except Bono of course) until now. And when they were recorded, it was in spaces that were most publicly available at the time like the terrace of a building, parks, plazas, promenades, in doorways, largely outdoors. And

PLAYING FOR CHANGE

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SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

 Sound Bytes • Chanda Mama is the only Telugu track featured on the album.

Producer Playing For Change

they weren’t brought together from different parts – no each artist did his or her bit alone. Sometimes with an audience, sometimes without, with recognition perhaps for a day or two. It was the music that brought them together as a cohesive whole, and you will understand what I mean when you take a look at the videos.

Another track that made an impact on me is One Love. Simple lyrics, a beautiful melody and lots of great voices. Quite a few from our city in fact. And it hasn’t stopped with the album. Playing For Change has begun a foundation of it’s own as well, and the goal is to set up music schools for children. The first one was recently opened in South Africa, and plans for the expansion of this dream are moving forward as you read.

But what change really is, is for you to decide. Is it putting an end to hunger in Somalia or letting boundaries merge with no qualms of language and religion; or is it going to bed at night in the arms of someone you love? In your quest for a brighter day, it’s up to you to play.

Playing is change I believe.

• Most of the Indian artists on the album were unaware of their role in Playing for Change until after it released.

• The song Stand By Me features 37 musicians from around the world.

• Bono is the only living celebrity artist featured in a song.

• Clips of Bob Marley singing War/ No More Trouble are featured in the video of the same.

• Playing for Change has become a worldwide phenomenon. The song Stand By Me has over 13 million hits on YouTube.

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Mark Johnson

“Playing For Change was born out of the idea that we have to inspire each other to come together as the human race, and that music is the best way to do this. We travelled all over the world through streets, subways, native Indian reservations, African villages, Himalayan mountains. None of these musicians had ever met in person. It was the music that brought them together, and the belief that we can do a lot more for this world if we work together, than we ever can apart.”

Pix : G Venkata Krishnan

What does a persistent squirrel from Ice Age have in common with a funk and roll band rooted in the heart of Chennai? Practically nothing beyond the name and a fetish for going nuts! Take a dip into one of South India’s wackiest young bands at their most vulnerable hour - a lazy Sunday morning!

ďƒŚ Shirin Albert www.highonscore.com | 16

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Chennai’s own Blacklisted. So, what did he have to say abut his new ‘family’ – “It’s nice only. Like the weather.” A reply I was not expecting!

It was interesting to find out how these guys juggle work and college just to make time for their regular Sunday jam sessions - a lazy, casual collaboration with friends and fellow musicians.

Another shocker is that they have completely chucked all their old songs which they worked on for the last four years. Seems like a big step but a brave one. An album release is all set for next January with a bunch of new material that they have been working on patiently on for the past few months. They aren’t in a hurry to rush into anything, preferring to surprise their fans.

As Tapass says “We want to take our time and get it right.’

C

razy, cool and amazing fun! Definitely the first few things that strike you when you meet these whacky, down-to-earth characters. Skrat has definitely come a long way since their start in the summer of 2006. The had their biggest break this year by being awarded the Best Acoustic Band at IIT Saarang and winning the Campus Rock Idols Regional leg (they were runners-up at the Finals). Apart from winning a whole bunch of sound equipment and instruments, including a Fender, they also got to play for the Rock in India Concert in February which was the opening act for Iron Maiden in Bangalore.

Being flown there by Kingfisher was another experience they enjoyed a lot (for very obvious reasons!). One big change though, is the fact that they have a new member, Abinav of

But why the name Skrat? As T.T. explains,“We hadnt named the band when we applied for Unwind’s Underground. It just so happened that a few of us were watching Ice Age at the time and since Manfred, Sid and Diego didn’t agree with any of us we just chose Scrat to be done with it!” Their favourite bands range from Blacklisted, Opeth, Rage Against the Machines, Dave Mathews, The Killers and Aerosmith to the classics. And here’s how they define their sound. “Western Music Band?

Jumpy Rock! Some ding ding…. Psychobilly?! We ditched funk rock but hey we don’t really care as long as people like what we play and it makes them happy then we’re cool with it.” grins T.T. In a way I did agree with them because you can’t not feel jumpy when you listen to their music and laugh at their pranks and props onstage. “We’re just focusing on doing some good music and cutting an album. Haven’t figured out further plans.

It’s too much for us to think about!” they joke. As we wrapped up, they headed straight for their jam session again. Watching them, I observed it was not about being the best band or about the competition to them. It was about doing what they love, doing it well and having a lot of fun in the process! Hope the album turns out well guys! Cheers!

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Now how they got together is a completely different story, one that I find pretty much impossible to put together. As far as I could concur, they all had gigs which got cancelled and they somehow got together to play through their mutual friends.

This was during the Vatz Fest in 2006. Once they realized that this was what they wanted to do, they decided to take it further starting as a five piece band. They admit things were a little shaky at first – experimenting with the music they performed and figuring out the band lineup. “There was this one gig where TT and Tapass had to exchange instruments because they did not know the parts! We even started playing the song before they realized it. But it all worked out well somehow.” joked Satish. “Sometimes my sticks used to slip out of my hands!” added Tapass. In August 2007, there was a minor change with TT Sriram stepping in to take over vocals and the pilot performance at the Freedom Jam show decided the fate of the band. The chemistry between these guys was a refreshing change and banter they shared on stage won peoples attention. They played at various shows at the Unwind Centre (winning best acoustic band in 2008) and performed at a number of colleges and also went on to win the PowerChord event at IIT Saarang, which granted them a wild card entry into the Decibels Finals. They seemed to be pretty lucky at the NIFT culturals, Spectrum, winnning the Best Rock Band in 2007 and 2009.

STRING THEORY

HMI - Harmony Musical Instruments (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. - came into existence due to a fortuitous set of circumstances – The owners of the Jackson brand of electric guitars were looking for an alternative manufacturer from Asia as a source/supplier of this musical instrument. The promoters of HMI had on call a team of experienced personnel who had earlier worked for a guitar factory. And, most importantly, the Shriram Finance Group was willing to invest in this venture by providing the capital funding. There was also the opportunity to locate this unit in the Madras Export Processing Zone (Special Economic Zone) (MEPZ-SEZ).

Crafting Class for the WORLD

The Jackson brand owner had agreed to underwrite the production of HMI manufactured guitars, and therefore there were no marketing pressures.

Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Mr Ramani Swamy, Director, HMI Pvt Ltd about international brands, export gains and why you should pick up one of their guitars Give us some instances where reputed guitarists have attested the quality of a HMI guitar?

HMI was conferred the best vendor award on overall product rating of guitars exported in 2008 (out of a total of more than 34 international vendors), by its biggest international customer.

HMI had sold the Tansen brand in the domestic market some years earlier which was well accepted. Sales were discontinued due to export demands. However enquiries for the brand still continued. The reintroduction of this brand has been widely welcomed.

We have participated in some rock shows - JRO ‘09 / Pub Fest IV - conducted by hard rock enthusiasts where our products were displayed for the visitors to feel / play, with enthusiastic reactions.

Bands such as Blood & Iron and Escher’s Knot who tried out our guitars during these shows had very positive reactions.

Blood & Iron guitarist, Ashish tried out our HP V 43 model and was impressed & we offered our guitar for him to use on stage. He used it after the first two pieces and was so happy with it that he continued the performance with the HMI model. Received good reviews by such guitar players ; as also from other leading guitarists who attended these shows.

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Has the Indian public/Chennai music scene warmed up to locally crafted guitars over ‘brands’? Or is the craze perennial?

Yes to some extent - where the user is knowledgeable about guitars. We have re-focussed our attention to the domestic market only 3 months ago; it will not take too long before our brand becomes widely recognised.

Entry level guitar players do not have the experience to immediately appreciate the superior quality / playability of HMI instruments. They are swayed by the glamour attached to cheaply fabricated imports from China/Indonesia, merely because they have famous brand names (and some of these are fakes). Experienced guitar players and professionals, instantly realise the value for money packed in HMI guitars With product promotion exercises including feel - play sessions, awareness of HMI guitars is expanding in the market. We have also sold many guitars based on spontaneous word-of-mouth recommendations from many first-time buyers from outlying cities such as Cochin, Delhi, Bangalore, Varanasi, etc.

We expect to override this fancy for “Imported” brands with the onset of greater dealer participation and a wider market spread & reach, in due course.

A major musical instruments store in Singapore has tried out our guitars and is actively considering regular import and sale.

19 Sing Me A Song of Six-STRINGS HMI can currently manufacture 3,500 to 4,000 guitars per month, and, with some balancing equipment, the production capacity can be increased to 5,000 guitars per month. The turnover achieved in the previous financial year was approx. Rs. 158 million, when around 30,000 guitars were exported. A growth in turnover of 30-40% was initially projected for 2009-2010.

This is however now unrealisable on account of the global downturn. Despite the generally bleak scenario for exporters, HMI is expected to end this financial year on a positive note.

Pix : G Venkata Krishnan

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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The primary material used in a conventional electric or acoustic guitar is wood (for the body, neck and headstock). It is vital to ensure the moisture levels in the wood do not exceed the specified limits. The pre-treatment processes for preparing the wood before it goes through the various stages of transformation in the manufacturing process, as well as the time required to complete the curing process in the painted guitars, contribute largely to the overall manufacturing time. Together with the actual woodworking operations and the finishing, assembly and inspection processes, a quality electric guitar will take HMI about 20 days to produce, from start to finish. It is expected that the same time span will be required for acoustic guitars as well.

If romantic flicks in Tamil are going in for a makeover, it stands to reason that the music should also follow suit. We caught up with the two men behind Leelai and discovered quite a few of the quirks that go with making a movie with a young production team

ďƒŚ Gayatri Kalyanaraman

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Pic : Sony Music

Brand new ATTRACTION

Pic : A H Arshiya

T

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he Tamil cinema industry has showcased various genres of movies successfully but when it comes to favorites, the audience’s verdict goes to romantic flicks, hands down!

From that perspective, Leelai might seem like the typical run-of-the-mill boy meets girl story, but it truly is not!

Everything about the movie is nascent. Starting from the crew till the music, you cannot miss the freshness associated with it. The music in particular is very new and exceptionally classy; something that was associated only with the Ilayaraja era of Tamil music. Today, the music director Satish Chakravarthy is a happy man. Not only has the response to the music been very encouraging, he has also made his guru AR Rahman proud! Speaking of whom, Satish swears that he could have not wished for a better boss both in terms of music and personality and it was his encouragement that gave him the confidence to take off and start separately. “No matter how many films I do or how popular I get, I will continue working with him for his future films” asserts Satish.

Satish has worked with Rahman for about two years and even lent his voice for films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. It was during one such recording session – During Jodha Akbar that ARR asked him to start creating his own compositions. It all fit into place when he met his childhood friend, Andrew Louis during his wedding. Andrew had incidentally just started working on his directorial debut and was searching for a music director. And voila! Leelai happened.

The lead pair of Mansi and Shiv have also played their part in making the songs a success by providing near perfect lip sync and emoting to perfection. Both the director and music director are all praise for the female lead- Mansi. “It is hard to believe that such a good performance can be given on debut. She will definitely go places!” claims Andrew, the director of the movie who incidentally claims that irrespective of the movie’s success, the music is bound to be a big hit!

Going by public opinion, the music of Leelai is already hot property.

Much will depend on how the industry perceives it. Time will tell how class and melody work in a space crowded by loud hip-hop and the cacophony of ghaana music. Either way, Satish has rave reviews, a golden voice and offers in his sack. Here’s wishing him well for whatever is to come and hoping that the music of Leelai might prove to be the long overdue makeover that Tamil film music has needed!

must listen

If you think love, longing, life and all that comes with today’s songs are overdone, give ORU KILI a shot on your playlist. Chances are if not for the mellow tune, Satish C’s haunting voice’l get you.. there!

things you wont read in the papers about Leelai and its crew

1

The male lead Shiv was chosen because the people who cast him thought that he had both north Indian and south Indian features and would sell in both places

2

Before approaching Satish to compose music, Andrew mistook him for Rahman’s sound engineer

3

Except the cinematographer, most of the crew of Leelai are first timers to the screen

4

Thanks to working with Rahman, the music for this film has been done using cutting edge technology which is on par with international standards

5

The first song that was composed for the movie was done in a single shot and it was initially done as a sample but went on to become the final version

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Satish is not entirely new to the field. After studying music in Berklee for a couple of years and working under one of the best in the world, he has a touch of world music and how to infuse it into his own compositions; getting a good break was just a matter of time. What better way than to start off with a childhood friend! Needless to say, the rapport between the two was remarkable. “The understanding was so good that the communication was almost non verbal” claims a grinning Satish. In fact, between the two of them, they had a secret grin code. If at the end of a recording session, both of them wear the same sheepish smile, then it is a sign that the going was good.

Indeed, what better than a little superstition to spice up a formal relationship!

Satish Chakravarthy

FIVE

The entire score of the movie - songs as well as background music has a sense of simplicity to it. The focus is mainly on melody but in a peppy way. The songs tend to linger and none of them sound similar.

In fact, the instruments used are minimal and importance is given to connecting the music and lyric as smoothly as possible. On screen this works well since the lead pair is new and the whole setting of the movie is youthful. The movie’s story revolves around a couple who are part of Chennai’s IT crowd.

NEW NOISE

Thaman Unplugged ďƒŚ Gayatri Kalyanaraman From the chubby teenager in Boys to successful music director, actor/music director Thaman’s life has made a full circle. This is what the man of the moment has to say about his past experiences and current trends in music after his score in the movie Eeram won him a lot of critical acclaim and a one-way ticket to stardom.

Pix : G Venkata Krishnan

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USP I know the audience’s pulse. Having been an entertainer I know what the audience wants and how to give it to them.

I focus on every part of the song and the score to ensure that a tempo is maintained and the song does not become boring at any point. The audience is all that keeps you going.First break In Tamil the first movie I actually signed up for is Moscowin Kaveri. But Eeram happened before that. My first break in the industry as such was in the movie Boys playing the role of Krishna. This happened to me since I was a close associate of director Shankar’s nephew and when he spread the news to him that he was looking for a professional drummer to play the part of Krishna, he asked me to try it out and the rest is history.

Growing Up Music was in the family. From a very young age I took a liking for the drums which later on turned into a passion. As a professional drummer i played for various bands. I have performed several live concerts and I believe that this is very important for any aspiring musician. Music directors should have exposure to a live audience to know what they like as well as gauge the changing interests of the audience and what kinds of innovations they accept.

Competing Force I compete only with myself. I know that I come from a place where I have very talented peers but there is no sense of competition as such. All of us make good music and the audience gets to pick whom they like best Life in the Industry Since my initial association with the industry started as an actor, my identity was firmly established. Having had no other strings attached with the industry, this really helped in the sense that it is easier to progress in the industry if people know who you are. After a couple of films or more, all that matters is the number of cd’s or ringtones that you sell. My film Kick in telugu proved that if you if you make good music, audience acceptance follows, irrespective of age and experience.

Inspiration My inspiration will always be derived from the two pillars of Tamil music. Illayaraja sir and ARR sir. I grew up hearing and playing their music and now its an honor to be in the same industry as they are. Ask any music director and you will get the same reply.

Music, Today Every once in a while, a certain genre comes and takes over film music much like hip hop is currently doing. But all these are only phases and the music will return to its essence melody. Evidence to this is the fact that even though there is a huge interest towards the rock music scene in Chennai and there is a rock band popping up every few seconds, film music still stands unaffected and faithful followers of the language and the music will always continue to exist.

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WISHFUL THINKING

5 movies which I wish I had scored the music for MOUNA rAGAM Agni natchatram Veyil Parutheeveran Roja

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“Of all the movies I have done till date, Eeram has been the toughest. Owing to the different storyline, the music and the background score had to be perfect in order to maintain the suspense. In movies like Eeram, a small spoiler in the music can give it all away.

Also the songs have to be perfectly done in order to maintain the contrast. I for one believe that the director is the captain of the ship and it’s his creative inputs coupled with good lyrics that brings out the best from any music director. Films like Veyil and Parutheeveran have been applauded for their music given the different setting of the movie and I am happy that Eeram is part of that list now.”

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

Tarantino’s Ingenuity From sphagetti-western inspired sequences to heavier contmporary compositions Quentin Tarantino’s penchant for detail in his movies’ sountrack is obvious

 Mrinal Rajaram

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The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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s a film-maker, Quentin Tarantino has always had a unique way of looking at things. His ingenious vision usually succeeds in rubbing off onto the entire movie set. Being a proactive director, he is constantly involved in different aspects of the project at any given time. His latest creation, Inglourious Basterds, is no exception. Apart from some exceptional filmmaking, the music also impresses. Like most of Tarantino’s projects, it transcends the stereotype. The soundtrack fuses a variety of music from the spaghetti-western genre to Rock and Soul. Tarantino had wanted his film to be like a cowboy western set in World War II – so, a majority of it contains soundtrack excerpts from famous Westerns.

Legendary Italian composer, Ennio Morricone, was asked by Tarantino to compose the score for Inglourious Basterds. But, on account of conflicting schedules, he was unable to accept. However, the director has used several of Morricone’s pieces (from previous films) in the soundtrack.

The film opens with Nick Perdito’s beautiful theme The Green Leaves of Summer.

Composed by Dimitri Tiomkin and Paul Francis Webster, it was used for the opening of John Wayne’s movie, The Alamo, in 1960. Ennio Morricone’s The Verdict (La Condanna), is played to the eerie entrance of Nazi Colonel, Hans Landa (played by Christoph Waltz), as he interrogates a dairy farming Jew in Nazi occupied France. Though the piece was perfect for the part, the similarity it bore to Beethoven’s Für Elise, was rather uncanny. The main title of the film - Charles Bernstein’s White Lightning, also has a strong Western influence. The instrumental track adds a very interesting mixture of sounds to it, helping the audience identify with the film’s theme.

A couple of songs that failed to make an impression (as far as the relevance to the film goes) were, Billy Preston’s Slaughter and David Bowie’s Cat People (Putting Out Fire).

We all know that Tarantino does things his own way and doesn’t follow the beaten track – that said, the two songs stuck out like sore thumbs. They just didn’t seem to fit in. After all, we’re talking about a World War II epic here!

Out of the 14 tracks that were finally used, only 4 songs appear – the rest being, instrumental pieces. That’s understandable, considering the film’s theme. There are two, old German songs that also appear on the soundtrack – they are, Davon geht die Welt nicht unter (by Zarah Leander) and Ich wollt, ich wär ein Huhn (by Lilian Harvey and Willy Fritsch). Jacques Loussier’s main theme from Dark of the Sun, also makes a brief appearance during the plot.

Two Morricone classics in the form of The Surrender (La Resa) and Un Amico play at crucial (yet different) junctures of the film. Schifrin’s Tiger Tank encapsulates the ‘Nazi higher command gunning down’ scene, as the soulful dirge of Morricone’s Rabbia e Tarantella takes over before the credits begin to roll.

Quentin Tarantino began writing Inglourious Basterds with his ‘my kind of Dirty Dozen’ (World War II epic) in mind. After more than a decade since he penned the first word, the film might have turned out quite differently – but, few can question its quality.

The eclectic mix of music that included several Western greats, was hand-picked by Tarantino himself. A commendable job – considering the fact that he brought the ‘cowboy Western’ influence into a World War II film, and made it look rather believable.

The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) ‘The Bridge On The River Kwai’ is considered to be one of the finest World War II films ever made.

If you have seen the film, forgetting the famous whistling tune of the British POWs, is quite unlikely. The piece (called the “Colonel Bogey March”) was originally written by Kenneth Alford in 1914.

The film’s composer, Malcolm Arnold, used the original music of the “Colonel Bogey March” and followed it up by a counter-melody called “The River Kwai March.” Arnold won an Academy Award for the movie’s score. The film ended up winning a total of 7 Oscars.

Must Listen – The “Colonel Bogey March”

Soundtrack Listing - Inglourious Basterds

The Dirty Dozen (1967) ‘The Dirty Dozen’ played a huge influence in Quentin Tarantino’s, ‘Inglouriuos Basterds.’ Tarantino wanted his film to be his own version of ‘The Dirty Dozen.’ After almost a decade since he began the script, the film might have turned out differently – but, he still managed to give it the feel of a spaghetti-western set in World War II. The film’s (The Dirty Dozen) complete score was composed by Frank De Vol. Containing a mammoth track listing of 24 pieces, Vol’s skill as a composer ensured that the music accentuated the film’s underlying theme.

1. The Green Leaves of Summer - Nick Perdito 2.The Verdict (La Condanna) - Ennio Morricone 3.White Lightning (Main Title) - Charles Bernstein 4.Slaughter - Billy Preston 5.The Surrender (La Resa) - Ennio Morricone 6.One Silver Dollar(Un Dollaro Bucato) - Gianni Ferrio 7.Davon geht die Welt nicht unter - Zarah Leander

Schindler’s List (1993) The Steven Spielberg masterpiece documented the Holocaust like few others have. For a Second World War epic drama that spanned nearly three and a half hours, it needed a score that was equally moving. The film’s original score and songs were composed by the legendary John Williams, and featured veteran Israeli violinist, Itzhak Perlman. The album won the Academy and BAFTA Award for “Best Original Score” and a Grammy for “Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television.” It was also nominated for a Golden Globe.

Must Listen – “Theme from Schindler’s List”

8.The Man with the Big Sombrero - Samantha Shelton & Michael Andrew 9.Ich wollt, ich wär ein Huhn - Lilian Harvey & Willy Fritsch 10.Main Theme from Dark of the Sun - Jacques Loussier 11.Cat People (Putting Out Fire) - David Bowie 12.Tiger Tank - Lalo Schifrin 13.Un Amico - Ennio Morricone 14.Rabbia e Tarantella - Ennio Morricone

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Saving Private Ryan (1998) Steven Spielberg partnered with John Williams again for the soundtrack of this modern depiction of World War II. Unlike a lot of other films in the same class, none of Saving Private Ryan’s battle scenes were scored. As expected for a traditional war movie, the music is rather solemn.

It plays subtly in the background, letting the film speak its truth, quietly and otherwise. The music may not have been as powerful as Schindler’s List, but that is probably because they’re not in the same genre. Though Schindler’s List is set in the Second World War, it is still a drama film (with little or no battle seen). The music from Saving Private Ryan was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

Must Listen – “Hymn To The Fallen” and “Omaha Beach”

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

ON A ROLE

Twin-Pronged Tunemaster

ďƒŚ Gayatri Kalyanaraman

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“At the age of 22 I came across a picture of L.Shankar playing the double violin and that’s the instant that I decided that I am going to become the second person in the Asian continent to play the instrument” he says. Today he has achieved just that.

For those of you who are not familiar with the instrument, it is similar to the violin in looks but actually combines the sounds of the violin, viola, cello and the bass using the appropriate strings.

The pros of this innovation includes being able to achieve different octaves or ranges of sounds from the same instrument but the flip side is that there are no existing compositions that can simply be rendered again. A great deal of understanding has to be put into composing songs since even the tiniest of errors is easily amplified.

Another factor is that the double violin has to be custom made since there is no stereotype available. So how and when did this actually materialize for Mr. Radhakrishna? “After 5-6 years in the making, I finally got my instrument in Chicago while playing in the Festival of India -3. My guru Ravishankar ji and Anoushka were the first to test the instrument and they were overwhelmed with my idea!” is his response. From then on there has been no looking back!

Any new sound does not get immediate acceptance. It took people a while to get used to the kind of music that emanates out of this instrument and in turn appreciate it. In the last 4 years, the

response has been tremendous according to him and he feels that this unique genre of music has finally been accepted. The classical yet contemporary feel of his music transcended barriers as top labels started endorsing him and also his band in Germany – ‘ Ahimsa’ which is gaining popularity. So far Ahimsa has only been a local band, but thanks to the increased popularity, there have been plans for a world tour in the coming year. Talk about classical musicians making it big!

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Incidentally that’s not the only band he is a part of. He is a part of two other bands. One of them called ‘The Search’, made up of Israeli musicians and the other, a Calcutta based band called ‘Thaltantra’. This in itself is a feat considering the sheer diversity of musicians he has to work with, both in terms of music styles and nationality.

Radhakrishna spends close to 8 months a year globetrotting for concerts. When he is not playing for his guru Pt. Ravishankar, he goes solo. Yet this humble yet immensely talented artist is yet to bring out a solo album. “Every year I begin with the idea of bringing out a solo album but owing to time constraints it just doesn’t seem to be happen. But hopefully 2010 will be the year” he makes light of his plans.

From a long term perspective his purpose is clear. To propagate Indian music, in specific Indian Classical form to all parts of the world and thereby establish a certain standards that musicians in the future can benchmark with. His interests also include popularizing the double violin as a common instrument since as of now it is preferred by only those who know the nuances of all the four instruments it combines as well as those who can afford it. As of now it remains a luxury flaunted by only a select few.

Pt. Ravishankar insisted that the first public performance for Mr. Radhakrishna with his double violin was to be at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, an honor only very few Indian musicians receive. Due to prior commitments that did not happen The making of the double violin is very expensive since it is made up of very sensitive elements like carbon fiber and a single string replacement costs 280 US$.

Radhakrishna has played for a Swedish Metal band and in collaboration released a cd titled – Land Of Freaks. Is it just me or does it sound like an oxymoron considering the mental image we sustain of our Carnatic musicians?!

Pic : Ajay Prabhakar

The carnatic music season that happens during early December every year will feature the double violin for played by Radhakrishna for the very first time in music season history!

‘Ahimsa’ is said to emerging as the next Shakti in Germany according to the local magazines; the latter being a hugely popular classical plus contemporary music band with hints of jazz. Even though the two albums brought out by Ahimsa has not made its way of Germany yet, the local reaction has been very positive.

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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here is an ancient belief in the classical music fraternity of south India that the musician does not choose the instrument. The instrument chooses him. However clichéd that sounds, it worked in the case of Nellai.S.Radhakrishna.

Breakdown BLUES

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’m flipping through a 1988 issue of Rolling Stone and poring over ‘The Hard Truth About Guns n’ Roses’. Finally, some bad boys who are good.

The article talks about Izzy, the rhythm guitarist, draining his second bottle of red wine and testing the wattage of a portable stereo, while Axl & Slash try to have a conversation over the din. Soon, there’s a commotion between the band members including Duff and Steven Adler. Axl is quoted to have said, “It’s cool that this tension is building up, because it’s gotta find its release in the music. If we live that long.”

By 1994, we saw the last of Gn’R with the original members. Come 1999, there was a new band line up and the birth of a new album named Chinese Democracy.

Slash, Duff and Matt Sorum then went on to form Velvet Revolver, along with others. So now when Gn’R come to India in November, it isn’t quite the same ball game anymore, is it?

2007 saw Aerosmith rocking the stage at Palace Grounds, Bangalore.

My friend and I went in by about 7pm and worked our way forward until we were right in front of the ramp. We were both great fans of Joe Perry. For those who missed this concert, tough luck chump! Half way through the concert, there was a Joe Perry guitar solo.

The band had an amazing stage presence and their success over the years is a no brainer.

 Ketaki Chandrasekar

So when Joe decides to try his hand [repeatedly] at a solo career titled ‘The Joe Perry Project’, I cannot quite fathom it. Personal ambitions aside, I doubt any of these guys can survive without the other. What makes Aerosmith special is the chemistry that Joe and Steven share during performances. The Joe Perry Project album titled ‘Have guitar, will travel’ is set for an early October 2009 release. Any takers?

Nick Mason, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Richard Wright; yes, Pink Floyd.

My earliest memories of music go back to this band. I was still in my single digits when I was very familiar with Shine on You Crazy Diamond,

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Pic : EMI Music

In the meantime; Waters went on to promote his solo career, and continued to perform the classic Floyd material like The Wall. In fact, when Roger Waters toured India a couple of years ago, the rumour was, ‘Pink Floyd is coming to India’. Go figure.

Waters came together with Pink Floyd again for the first time in 24 years for the LIVE 8 concert in London, 2005.

When boy bands break up, it causes a lot of heartbreak. I once caught sight of a music magazine with George Harrison on the cover at an eatery in Chennai. I was delighted to see a Beatle; delighted enough to call the magazine people and ask them if I could write for them (and hence The Score Magazine) But the point I’m trying to emphasize is that I didn’t think of George Harrison.

I thought of The Beatles. The break up of The Beatles is probably one of the saddest stories of all time.

Who isn’t a fan? The crazy haircuts, the bobbing head dance, the simple lyrics, the catchy tunes… The Beatles were a phenomenon.

After the dissolution in 1970, they each went on to promote solo careers but managed to involve one or the other in a few songs. Lennon had a few memorable

hits like Imagine and Give Peace a Chance. But the rest are hazy.

Looking at more contemporary bands, Audioslave is a great example of how two wrongs make a right. Soundgarden’s front man Chris Cornell and the instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk came together from their respective bands to form this Hard Rock group.

The band officially disbanded in 2007, following Cornell’s departure from the band “due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences”.

Post break up, three members were busy attempting to reunite Rage Against the Machine, while Morello and Cornell released solo albums. Has anyone heard any tracks?

In recent news, Oasis’ vocalist/guitarist Noel Gallagher announced his departure from the group this August.

This did not come as a big shock, considering the disputes between the brothers, Liam and Noel, have always been rather apparent. The band initially did not include Noel to start with, but his addition did produce a whole new feel. Can we expect a solo stint? Time shall reveal all.

Many good bands have broken up to give rise to new music talent; Cream break up led to the genesis of Eric Clapton, Sting was born of the Police break up, Jackson 5ive led to Michael Jackson etc. Whereas, some split ups have been disappointing, to say the least-like those of the bands featured in this article.

Whatever be the case, nothing lasts forever in the world of Rock n’ Roll, much less music; except the fans.

We are left in the lurch, debating whether or not to go for a concert that bears the name of a once great rock band. Shakespeare’s ‘What’s in a name?’ theory won’t work this time.

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Wish you were here and Comfortably Numb. Without debate, they are till date the greatest psychedelic rock band that ever rocked the planet. Floyd fans have always debated who was the hotter favourite: Waters or Gilmour. My take is that the band was not big enough for the both of them. Waters left the band in 1985 and from there on Floyd front man was Gilmour. Despite this drastic change, hugely successful albums like Momentary Lapse of Reason and Division Bell [Is anyone listening to High Hopes right now?] were born.

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Quirks and queries If there is one thing Neha Bhasin is sure about, it is that she likes to sing. From Viva! to Pesugiren, her life has been one insane success story that even someone with well documented disdain for reality shows cannot ignore. From brand apparel to knowledge of boy bands, we decided to catch up with her and find out what makes her tick.. apart from her music!

1. If you could be a superhero, what secret power would you like to have I’d like to have the power to fly in the sky 2. Clothes you wouldn’t be caught dead in I wouldn’t be caught dead in loose unflattering salwars with a t-shirt which is quite a trend :) 3. A must have accessory for every girl I think every girl should have a few pretty earrings in different colours. It brightens up the most boring outfit 4. The funniest rumor you heard about yourself That i had a wardrobe malfunction at an event which of course i hadn’t even attended and that those pictures are all over the internet 5. The most absurd thing a fan ever said to you That he was born to love me and that’s the purpose God has bestowed upon him 6. One person you would like to be marooned on an island with John Mayer for sure (mmmmmmm) 7. If you woke up one day as the President of the Universe what would you do I would try and make this world a better place to live in 8. One thing you never leave the house without My pouch which has my cards and money and my cellphone and my mac lip balm 9. The one thing you would like to buy if you had all the money in the world Wow! Gucci boots, a penthouse, a Porsche, Versace overcoats... You name it and i want the finest things 10. If you were a guy, which boy band would you want to be a part of Boy bands?? I am way past that - at 14 maybe. but now I am just happy being a girl... but if at all - The Beatles (!)

Pix : G Venkata Krishnan

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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Neha Bhasin

 Madhumitha Madhavan

Guess who almost was a ballet dancer  Krithika Sukumar For many celebs, their careers have happened quite out of chance – trying their luck with something new, or a quirky twist of fate.

VJ and model Paloma Rao tells us what brought her in front of the camera...

VJ Paloma says she loves being a Video Jockey. But being a fashion magazine’s editor, and a professional dancer were childhood dreams; and today her life has a bit of all three…

Paloma hosts ‘Footloose’ on SS Music – a show that teaches diverse dance styles in easy steps - ‘I have always wanted to be a dancer, and have trained long years in ballet. I did want to go abroad and pursue studies in dancing, but things on the VJing end caught on when I was in the last year of school,’ she says.

In her last year of school, SS Music was hosting a VJ hunt. ‘Everyone said I should try for it, because models are skinny and talk a lot – and I had the gift of the gab. I got a wild card entry into the competition, and began my career as a VJ soon after,’ says Paloma.

Her third love is off-screen; and Paloma writes a column for some fashion magazines in the city. ‘I always wanted to be fashion editor of a magazine, when growing up. And fashion can still excite me,’ she adds.

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The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

Somethin’ About SID  Meenakshi Iyer

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We did the Sneak peek for you in case you haven’t caught it yet!

Wake Up Sid is about Sidharth Mehra(Ranbir kapoor), a lazy, unmotivated, slacker from Bombay who’s world is breezy and carefree with no real responsibilities. Ambitious, well read, and driven, Aisha (Konkona Sen) has come to Bombay to realize her dreams as a writer for a local magazine. Sid’s parents’ disdain for his lacklustre attitude leads to a volatile and explosive situation within the family. Will Sid find a way out of this estrangement that paralyses his relationship with his family and friends? Will he take stock of his life and start to imbibe some of Aisha’s focus and spirit? Will he, at some point, figure out what he’s supposed to be doing with his life?

The trailer earns appreciation for its unique cinematography, Ranbir’s ‘the-boy-who-refused-to-grow’ look, crisp dialogues and skillful art direction. The apt choice of the song ‘kya karoon’ adds colour to the already-vibrant video. Ranbir looks his confused-best and Konkana, his extreme opposite in every frame.

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The new Iktara of Bollywood!

He started his career composing music for Gujarati plays in a city which can never get enough of them. A two-year contract with Sony BMG saw him scoring for the Indian Idol sensation Abhijeet Sawant’s album, ‘Junoon’. And then Amir happened, which led Amit Trivedi into the vibrant world of Hindi cinema. Though he claims that the film wasn’t promoted well, his music was widely appreciated for having aptly brought out the film’s theme of religious polarization. Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D unveiled his astounding finesse and phenomenal compositions, proving a point that he has a long way to go from here. As his next venture Wake up Sid is released on October 2 (he has composed the background score and a song for the film), we caught up with the music director to find out what is it that has helped him create a niche for himself in the industry.

Your first movie was Amir, which revolved around a social issue.

The script was well written, but somewhere down the line, the movie fell short in its promotional aspect. Thankfully my music was appreciated and I feel content to have worked on the project.

Was there a deliberate attempt to create a mélange of music for the film, as agitating as ‘Emotional Atyachar’ or a folkish “Dhol yaara dhol”?

Not at all. Everything just came together for the film. Anurag (the director) gave me no specifications, which helped me work on my creativity. Dev D came my way at the right time and the results were over-whelming. (Smiles) Tell us about the background score and the song you worked on for Wake Up Sid.

And you share the cover space with the famous Trio?

They’re amazing. I’ve grown as a composer listening to their songs. I had the opportunity to meet Ehsan and Loy, yet to meet Shankar(Mahadevan). They’re a class apart. I’m a great fan.

How do you find the current trend in Indian cinema as far music is concerned?

From conventionalism to progressive styles.

It is my opinion that any trend is welcome, as long as it is neatly done and presented. At the end of the day, I work towards catering to the tastes of the listeners, but I make sure I retain my style and individuality.

 SHUFFLE Kya Karoon?

(Clinton Cerejo)

The best in the lot. Used in the trailor, this song has amazing harmonies and a very refreshing appeal. We recommend!

Iktara

(Kavita Seth)

Seems like it voices the female protagonist’s anguish and pain. Catchy lyrics. Clearly brings out Amit Trivedi’s style.

Wake Up Sid

(S Mahadevan)

Soulful, bears a strong resemblance to the Dil Chahta Hai soundtrack, in terms of rhythm and feel.

Life is crazy

(S Mahadevan)

Similar to the title track in terms of the tune. Great harmonies again. Could’ve been a bit different.

Aaj kal zindagi

(S Mahadevan)

The inspirational one. Familiar tune, but indispensable for the carefree-guy-learnsresponsibility theme of the film.

Talking about movies, do you like catching up with the latest ones?

Oh Yes! I love watching movies with lighter subjects. Comedy, animation and the like. It relieves the stress and pressure after a day’s work. ‘Up’ tops the list for now!

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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And Sony BMG offered you the contract?

Yes. That was the gateway, my first as a music director. I took it up and it brought out the results I expected.

Ayan (Mukherji) called up after he heard Dev D’s songs and wanted me to do the background score for the film. The songs were done by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy and the sequences were finalized too. I was on a vacation then and on my return, I casually made him listen to a song that I had come up with(Iktara), while we were deciding on the background score. He loved it to an extent that he went ahead and included it in the playlist, though it does not feature in the film!

Pix : Sony Music

From theatre to Bollywood, seems like a short journey.

It sure has been quite enriching. Composing for plays was a part of my growing stages. It gave me the much-needed experience and exposure. And the fact that it was well received gave me the confidence to surge ahead. I always look back on those days, because that is where it all began.

JOCKEY ON CALL

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Tune in to him on Chennai Live 104.8 fm, On Saturdays from 11 to 2 PM and Sundays from 2 to 5 PM

Is there a doctor in the STATION?  Preeti Krishnakumar

Pix : A H Arshiya

D

Test Tube Collector - this was more of a joint effort, when his classmates and him broke test tubes in college, they hid them behind a board, and apparently when he broke his first, there were already about 50 test tubes in this ‘hiding place’ First year, anatomy class, he found rhythm on an open bone of a cadaver, for which he was not allowed to participate in his practical classes for a month!

He completed his UG in Bijapur which is one night from, Bombay, Goa, Bangalore, Mysore and 16 hours from Chennai.

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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octor by day and RJ by night, Ok, No. He’s a doctor through the week, and an RJ with Chennai Live on weekends. He was class topper from LKG to the 10th, and a Gold Medalist during his post-graduation, won awards, had his papers published in international journals and been hit on his knuckles for smiling. He’s married and has recently fathered a beautiful baby girl. He’s slightly clumsy (but aren’t we all?), loves Bryan Adams and has the most interesting stories to tell, stories about test tube collections behind black boards, finding rhythm in a cadaver and one night trips to everywhere!

He practices emergency medicine. Never imagined he’d become an RJ, and is asbolutely (Absolutely to the rest of us) hilarious and takes pride in his ability to make up words to existing songs. Introducing Dr.Tausif, third of four brothers of a conservative family who’s taken to radio like a moth to a flame. He thrives on anything that’s adrenalin pumping, has an attention span of about ten minutes (He said that, I didn’t) and fights for his chocolate cake.

He hosts two shows for Chennai Live, One is the Quiz show, And when asked about it, he said something we all know, but seldom acknowledge; quizzes on radio shows are made for mass not for class, and yes, He was a very inquisitive child, constantly questioning everything. The essence of a quiz how he says is that radio stations find the need to give the listeners the “I know this answer!” feel.

A sports buff, his second show is Sports Café and it needs no introduction, they speak of all activities outdoor and prize winning, and sometimes indoor but still prize winning.

Like most doctors, he initially suffered forgetfulness, he forgot the names of patients and was often embarrassed, has had his share of ‘other’ experiences. None were revealed by the die hard fan of Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and anything that’s Modern Rock.

On being asked and bothered repeatedly, just for the sake of it, he even brought his stethoscope to the interview. He says he’s the serious type, and is when the time calls for it.

There’s one thing he was asked, when he applied to Chennai Live, which I believe was, “You’re a doctor… Can you be funny?” and you can take my word for it, he is. And his life seems fretty ferfect (pretty perfect to the rest of us!) at the moment.

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My Worst Nightmare

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 Krithika Sukumar Considering her apparent confidence on stage, and her popularity as a singer, one would think that stage jitters are miles away from singer Shweta Mohan. But being no stranger to performing does not guarantee that, and stage fright is a blessing in disguise she says….

Shweta Mohan

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‘I have done a lot of show, but I still get butterflies in my stomach every time.

And nightmares before every show! I have a show with Hariharan in a couple of weeks, and the nightmares have already begun!’ she says. But the lass believes that the butterflies only help her rise to greater heights on stage, and gives her a certain edge; but that does not keep the jitters away. So, what is her greatest fear on stage? ‘My greatest nightmare is forgetting my lyrics book – and it has actually happened once. I realized I had forgotten my lyrics five minutes before I was to go on stage and I was absolutely in shreds! Luckily people around me helped me piece together lyrics and I pulled through,’ she says, the relief almost still fresh in her voice. ‘I do not really pay too much attention to jitters, or have a lucky charm to ward it away! I just try and stay cool,’ she adds.

The SCORE Magazine | Nov 2009

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13

Those TEN Things

Sanjeev Thomas is creativity personified no matter what time of day; whether he’s on stage performing in front of an audience or making a first impression at a coffee shop. Trust me you won’t be disappointed, because this musician is a far cry from cliché.

From hit films like Delhi 6 and Ghajini, to my personal favourite, the opening riff of Kabhi Kabhi Aditi in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, his music will have you humming along in no time.

Looking outside of his commercial ventures though, his personal style is a whole different mix --- there’s a blend of rock ‘n’ roll, a little bit of the Blues and interestingly, a Hindustani twist as well.

 Sonali Shenoy

I can be moody sometimes but I think it helps me with my work

What do I look for in a woman? Hmmmm…nothing specific really.I’ve learned to go with what feels right

One amazing experience that still gives me goose bumps was during the Jai Ho tour in Calicut with Rahman. I was suspended about 80 feet above the ground on a crane that was rotating above 5000 people, playing my guitar.

It was a real adrenaline rush

My playlist is usually full of my own compositions, so I’m constantly listening and improvising

I did get quite a few breaks in the past, but I let them pass. No regrets though, I am far more ready now

Rainbow Bridge used to be the name of my studio, and then it became the band. It’s a little bit of everything.

‘Indirock’ we like to call it My ideal life ? would be different places at different points in time. I once did a show in Finland, it was heaven

The one thing that repulses me is hypocrisy A friend of mine once gave me a hair product to try out, and the next morning the entire front portion of my hair just ‘wasn’t there anymore. ’ Hence the ponytail right on top of my head

I go with the flow of my music. I don’t knock on any doors.

Pic : Prabhu Prasad

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Adyar: ADYAR ELECTRONICS 24465823/24465823, HELLO WORLD 9884022213, IT HIGH WAY 42605000/42, MERCY ELECTRONICS-24463673, OASIS NETWORK 4211 5822, SHA NETWORK 42154040/9840478574, IT DEPOT 24512288/9884021688, KONICA COLOUR LAB 24917303Aminijikarai: MERCY ELECTRONICS 26640153, Anna nagar: CONNEXIONS 26260429, DOT COM 42693043, MERCY ELECTRONICS 26200783Alwarpet: KONICA COLOUR LAB 24991010 Besant Nagar: IT @ home 9840991902/24466898 Citi center: CAMERA INN 43533293/9840211571, LANDMARK 42658317/28477777, PC INN 9444452841Egmore: MOBILE ZONE 42638686Gopalapuram: AESTHETIX AUDIO VIDEO INDIA PVT LTD 43518484Kodambakkam: DEBORAH MUSIACALS 42133393Kottiwakkam: CYBER SPACE ABACUS PVT LTD 24512288/9884021688Mount road: GLOBE TRONICS 42119262, MAHAVEER COMPUTER SPARES 9840077334, MUSEE MUSIACALA PVT LTD 8522780, NATIONAL ELECTRONICS 9962497908, OASIS NETWORK 9840057413, TECH NEXT 45120304/05, TAMILNADU ELECTRONIC CORPORATION 43227536, VISUAL MEDIA SYSTEMS 39169186/9841084329Nungambakkam: LANDMARK 4214 4266,Sasi enterprises 23746661, IT DEPOT 24512288/9884021688, KONICA COLOUR LAB 42909898/28275878, YAMAHA MUSIC SQUARE 42909800Porur: WOODIES ELECTRNICS 24826323/9840871145Sowcarpet: RAKHIWALA 25391775/25391776Spencers: CD BYTE INFO PVT LTD 2854830/28491146/285491153, LANDMARK 2849 5997-5767T.Nagar: KOHINOOR 9840763267, PUJAS 2024950/9940445566, S.R. COLLECTION 28155112, 4260 5333, THE AUDIO PEOPLE 42125999/9840563336, VIGNESH & CO 28341644/42123393, STUDIOCELL 9884030201Tambaram: CALVIN ELECTRONICS 22264018Thiruvanmiyur: MERCY ELECTRONICS-TIRUVANMIYUR 2440 4184Vadapalani: MERCY ELECTRONICS-VADAPALANI 2473 0157,ROYAL SHOPPY 42048567Velechery: AZA NETWORK 941367442, COMPUTER GALAXY 45493235, SIMPLE CITY 42021828, Valasaravakkam: IT DEPOT 24512288/9884021688 Coimbatore:UB sofetek 9894526123,AV design 2494104/9843167879,GREAT DIGITAL SHOPPE 0422-2234082/9842928220, SMART SOLUTIONS0422-28252071/9884040777Kerala: TRIVANDRUM-Sangeeth Mahal-9895482629,LAYA Musicals-9349337457.Calicut-R.S.Electronics-9895800098 Trichur-Gulf Traders-0487-2322166,Zone City center -0487-2320676.Cochin-BASILS-9846032532,Mobile Land GCDA-,Tokyo Pentamaneka-0484-2381543,Sangeeth Mahal-2359117,Alif Pentamaneka-0484-2360454,SWISS Times-94447779999, Idduki-Musicland-9446608628.KollamQuilon Radios-0474-2740491 Pondichery:Streo shock 9443957500

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