ISSN 0974 – 9128
Vol 04 Issue 01 February-March 2011
` 50/-
www.highonscore.com
YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO ALL THINGS MUSIC
10
WORST Career Moves for MUSICIANS How to blow it all up!
Winner Millionaire Musical genius
TERRY FATOR
HMI’s
Band of the month
YODHAKAA
EUPHORIA IS BACK!
Rockumentary STOP STUDENT SUICIDE MOVEMENT
FIRST CLASS Wilbur Sargunaraj
LIVE!
@ Chennai
a publication
India at The Grammys - Our Exclusive Interview with Chandrika Tandon and Vijay Iyer
the edit PAD Editor-in-Chief Nikila Srinivasan
Asscociate Editor Shirin Albert
Creatives Director George Vedamanickam
Strategy and Planning Ajay Prabhakar
Operations and Marketing Pragash VM
Production Fayaz Mohammed
Creative Co-ordinator Paul George Vedanayagam
Content Manager Tara Rachel Thomas
Executive Advisor Siddharth Vipin
Content Advisor Solomon Porres
Photography S Srirama Santhosh Ravikiran Vissa Pretika Menon Madesh Sunny L Paul George Vedanayagam
Illustrations and Creatives
I
t is a New Year and we are sticking to old principles – constantly evolving and getting better at it. This month is no different in being ambitious, but has such a diverse spectrum of stories and splashes of colours that will leave you wanting more. The Score Magazine aspires to be a lot more than a solace for the ardent magazine-loving music fanatic. Ours is a platform for aspiring musicians and a kaleidoscope for musical diversity. Few bands have shaped music in India the way Euphoria has. Fresh off working on a Malayalam movie, our interview with Euphoria added to their South Indian dosage and we are proud to feature this non-commercial band of fabulously talented musicians on the cover this month. Adding local flavor to this issue are ‘Off the Record’, ‘Blacklisted’, ‘Blues Conscience’ and the fascinating ‘Yodhakaa’ – a band with global inspirations and a distinct dash of Indianness. We are also going behind the scenes to show you how to “Fly like a G6”. Unless you have been living under a massive Youtube-less, viral-free rock, “Who is Wilbur Sargunaraj?” has, without doubt, crossed your mind before. We show you the man behind the “Love Marriage”, whose latest album launch on March 5th will be organized by us! Watch out for more details on our website www.highonscore.com. I would like to take a moment to bring the cause supported by our cover stars to your notice. Euphoria are patrons of the “I Pledge to Stop Student Suicide” movement. India has the highest number of recorded student suicides, owing to peer pressure and our society’s stress on academic achievement. If you are a parent, student, educator or an everyday citizen, vow to end student suicide. We need more bright, young minds around, to make India - as Mr. Sargunaraj would say - “First Class.”
Nikila Srinivasan Nikila Srinivasan has been a columnist and contributor for several reputed national publications and has authored three books. She has had the honour of being one of India’s Olympic torch bearers at the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.
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Making the common Extraordinary
Welcome Back
8
23 years and still going strong. Euphoria takes you down memory lane.
GRAMMY FEVER
12
An exclusive and candid guide to the biggest Indo-American nominations of the year.
Sri Kumaran Stores artiste OF THE MONTH
24
A mixture of sugar and spice. Welcome to the world of Ananya Ashok.
HMI’s BAND OF THE MONTH
16
28
Young, hip and a breath of fresh air. Yodhakaa is all the rage with their latest new album and refreshing sound.
i nside
10
MEET THE “ATMA”
38
On drummer extraordinaire, Atma Anur and his spirit that fills the entire room. Literally.
WORST Career Moves for MUSICIANS
ATTACK OF THE MAPEX
40
(Which includes the fifth Beatle too!)
Page: 26 QUIRKS ‘N QUERIES
18
The inauguration of our first ever Tech Segment with Chennai Endorsee - Rahul Gopal
“I have heard of men getting beaten up by their wives! Usually it is the other way around. Don’t take s*** from anybody.”
Introducing playback singer and former Radio Mirchi RJ, Miss Ujjayinee Roy.
TERRY FATOR
20
FOR THE RECORD
42
When life got a little boring, this guy stepped it up with his little living dolls. Winner of America’s Got Talent and soon-to-be-living legend.
CRAZY COUPLEDOM
22
The nutcase duo who seem to make absolute sense together. It’s Rohit & Pashmina Barker!
THOSE TEN THINGS
36
Read all about the talented and die-hard romantic, Haricharan in his first-ever interview with Score!
BLUES CONSCIENCE
The youngest professional band in Chennai, Off The Record are all set this year to concrete themselves in the music industry.
ON THE BLACKLIST
46
48
Need some inspiration? Can’t shake off the blues? Let these guys remind you on how it is done!
FOLK FUSION
50
Want to ride those waves while grooving to the best fusion music in the country? Introducing EarthSync.
“Thank you for coming. Now give us money.” The BL boys on shows, recording and the usual non-sense.
MEENAKSHI IYER
A feeling or state of well-being or elation; an exaggerated or abnormal sense of physical and emotional well-being not based on reality or truth, disproportionate to its cause - Dictionary-defined.
EUPHORIA!
LOSE YOURSELF IN
“
Psychotic disorder before mania. Next level is absolute madness.”
- Palash.
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Euphoria are patrons of the I PLEDGE TO STOP STUDENT SUICIDE movement. “India has the highest rate of suicides. It’s high time we take action. We realize the pressure students go through in the name of academics.” Photography: Sunny L
DID YOU KNOW? Ashish
Kate,
a
Pune-based
writer
is
writing a book on the band which will soon be available in stores along with their new album.
There
are
11
tracks
covering
topics like money, terrorism, religion and surprisingly, Manmohan Singh.
W
hat do you call a man who writes songs which turn into worldwide hits, a die-hard Elvis fan who makes the audience sing and cry and who prescribes medicines for a few hours of the day? Meet Dr. Palash Sen, affectionately known as “Dada”. And his band that created a giant wave in India, with beautiful women in their videos and Hind Rock as their essence - Euphoria!
Their single “Maeri” was an unusual anthem. “It happened at 3 AM on a lazy night. I called Jaydeep Sahni ( famous songwriter and producer) and made him listen to the tune. “Maeri” in Jammu means mother. As you know, it is about a guy who tells his mother about his lost love. Each of us have lost love at some point in life. Every listener could connect to the emotion and the fact that it is in Hindi just made it better.”
The new year brought with it an opportunity to talk to one of India’s most famous vocalists. What makes Euphoria unique is their fresh sound. “It’s a family that we nurture here. The core team has always been the same. New members just add to the freshness!”
The band tried their hand at some tongue twisting work down south while working on a Malayalam movie - Best of luck. “I love dabbling with South Indian languages! Was very exciting, being the band’s first attempt.” The music from this movie is available on Euphoria’s page on Facebook. The band admits they have never felt part of the film fraternity because of the original music they make. Commercialism has never been their end goal. In my opinion, I think it takes more guts to stand apart than follow the herd.
We spoke on a lovely Saturday afternoon and managed to cover every topic I was dying to ask him. What followed was not just an insight on how the band was born, nurtured and sustained, but also how love for music, and the passion to touch millions of lives through it, can keep you surging ahead. DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE “We wanted to start a band which would connect to the masses. We had the gift of writing songs, meeting the right people. Euphoria is a beautiful mishap that happened in our lives.” The bands entry into the music scene was simple. They decided to stick to original Hindi music over English covers. Palash recalled the “Euphoric” time when they had to perform at Lady Sri Ram Collge, Delhi with a thousand girls going mad over their music. “It was overwhelming. Come one, its LSR!”
“HUM DILLI WALE HAIN. RAHENGE!” When asking them about their hometown, Delhi, here is what he had to say. “Bilkul! We are very proud to be here and make music. Bands usually move to Bombay for better prospects.” Sounds apt that they performed at the Common Wealth Games last year. “We were so proud to have been given an opportunity to perform. In fact, Sheila Dikshit told us that we were the most deserving people to be associated with the event.” The highlight of my conversation was finding out about the impending release of their fifth album. We at Score are excited and wish Euphoria all the best. DHOOM PICHUK DHOOM! The
Cover Photography: Sunny L
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rok sako to rok lo The Euphoria boys claim to be the cleanest band in the country. They were never associated with drugs, booze or anything “outrageous”. (Quite impressive!)
BAND BAAJA BAATEIN WITH EUPHORIA!
INDIA’S PATCH ADAMS?
A few light-hearted moments with the band
THEIR TAKE ON REMIXES Rakesh - Atleast we get to hear the old songs in a new avatar! Sometimes, it is a pain. Otherwise, it is pretty good. WEIRDEST LOCATION FOR INSPIRATION DJ - A hospital bed with a broken leg. No guitar, but an idea which became ‘Aamne Saamne’ from our debut album. ON COMPARING EUPHORIA WITH AN INTERNATIONAL BAND Ashwani - (Laughs) There is no international band that can touch us. And neither can a national one. ON THE PERFECT AUDIENCE Vinayak - If your music is good then the worst audience becomes the best. But if your music is bad then even the best audience becomes the worst. We are truly blessed because we've never faced a bad audience. ON THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM Amborish - A little ‘Hind’, a little Rock, a little ‘Dhoom’ and if you still aren’t Euphoric, then a lot of ‘Pichuk’!
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Photography: Niranjan Anbhore
ON EVERGREEN ‘DHOOM’ MOMENTS Prashant - Actually, there is no ‘dhoom moment’! We live in a frame of mind that is continuous; one of life, love and food all the time. Only priorities change.
My primary goal was to become a doctor. I had to choose between music or medicine. I chose the former. I come from a family of doctors and musicians. Though my family was not convinced, I needed to follow my dream. My mum was convinced that I was doing something worthwhile only after watching our first video!
ashwath Nair
When you are of Indian origin, most assumptions surrounding music point to Bollywood. So how does it feel when someone in another country gets a
TASTE OF INDIA Score’s exclusive guide to the biggest Indo - American Grammy nominations of 2011
I
ndeed it is a new age where the musically gifted of the country that I call HOME, can achieve more than what their contemporaries did on rare occasions; win international awards. One of the years in this new age was the tenth year in the second millennium when a lot of awards were won. A.R. Rahman won two awards at the 52nd Grammy Awards while Rahim Alhaj and Amjad Ali Khan were both nominated for their album Ancient Sounds along with Norah Jones. Salil Bhatt was nominated along with Doug Cox for their album Slide to Freedom 2: Make a Better World. Does 2011 have something similar in store for us? Yes it does.
A.R. Rahman’s score for 127 Hours is nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe Award and the BAFTA’s! The 53rd Grammy Awards were just around the corner and there were nominations of the brown kind; Norah Jones, Vijay Iyer and Chandrika Krishnamoorthy Tandon. Whether they won or not, these are the role models we should look upto. Not people who consider themselves Indian but global citizens, or in this case, global musicians. As Mrs. Tandon says the world is getting smaller. And in the end, I am glad no award went to any Bollywood director.
“
I’m completely awestruck for my album to be considered for a world-renowned award. My gratitude knows no bounds. I am thrilled to be sharing my nomination with Bella Fleck and Sergio Mendez.
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TRACK TO LISTEN TO
CT - “Khamaj Medley” where the lullaby-esque progression from a Carnatic raga to a Hindustani one brings out the happiest emotions in a person.
VI - Among his original compositions, Iyer sets opportunities for layered, complex funk in the title track, “Historicity”, and dramatic potboilers like in the song “Helix”.
PRESENTING... Chandrika Krishnamoorthy Tandon - One of America’s biggest financial gurus and Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi’s sister! Soul Call is her second album and has been nominated under the category of World Music. Vijay Iyer - Ph. D. in Technology and the Arts from UC Berkeley, Iyer lives and works as a musician full time. He left the idea of a day job far behind when he discovered music and Jazz in particular. His album Historicity has been nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
TRUE INTENTIONS CT - “I hope my music will break down everyone’s boundaries and barriers and enable each one to take a journey into themselves, to reach their own innermost grace. As they do that, they can then radiate it to everyone they touch. “
DESI IDENTITY VI - “I think India is more prevalant in the Global conscience now as compared to ten years ago. It does not change musicianship though. Music crosses boundaries and people are more open today. We have amazing Indian musicians doing well internationally.”
A PINCH OF THIS & THAT CT - 100% of Soul Call’s proceeds go to charities all over the world! All her tracks are posted on her Facebook page. As she says, “My musical abilities were given to me and I could not be more grateful to put it to use.”
VI - His dream quintet would include John Coltrane, Roy Haynes , Nina Simone, Zakir Hussain and Jimmy Hendrix! ON THEIR ALBUMS
VI - Historicity is dedicated wholly to his trio comprising bassist, Stephen Crump and drummer, Marcus Gilmore. “Historicity” means “a state or fact of being historically authentic”. The album sounds exactly how a jazz trio should sound; balanced.
CT - Om Na Mo Na Ra Ya Na Ya - a healing chant that combines vocals with an ancient Sanskrit chant (in eight classical Indian ragas) and with western and eastern musical arrangements. Continuous recitation is said to form a protective armor during cell renewal.
“
It was a surprise. The album got more attention and critical acclaim even previous to that. I made the album because it is a sign of who we are. It was no more of a surprise than the rest of it.” Photography: Jimmy Katz
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“
“Our routine and fashion allow us to party all night, then head straight to an important business meeting in the morning. We always stay business fresh, plus we keep shades on to hide the lack of sleep!” - Prohgress (FM)
M Em
oi r s O F A
WHAT THE HELL IS A G6? The band has clarified that the term ‘G6’ refers to the Gulfstream 650, a top of the line private business jet. “Drake talks about having G4 pilots on deck, so we said, ‘What’s flyer than a G4?’ Of course, it would be a G6,” says Kev-nish.
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SHIRIN ALBERT
I
walk into a party and am immediately greeted by the deafening sound of “Poppin’ bottles in the ice, Like a blizzard”. If you know your music charts, I am sure you would be familiar with the popular track “Like a G6” (Far East Movement featuring The Cataracs and Dev). This song would always be mentally associated to that very fun night. Which brings me to my point. “Like a G6” could be regarded the party anthem of 2010 and early ‘11; reminding you of some of your best party nights (which come with the worst hangovers, of course!). No, there is no profound meaning behind the lyrics but it is certainly stuck in our heads. The track managed to score major “likes” on Youtube; a whopping 51 million hits!
PLAYERS OF THE G6 Far east movement Also known as FM, Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman, seem to put on a cool front with their stylish shades, skinny ties and shiny blazers. These guys have played all over LA - at suites, rooftops, lofts and underground joints. They blend elements of hip-hop, pop, electro and dance to create an original sound and lifestyle they call “Free Wired”.
The Cataracs An American Hip-Hop duo formed in Berkeley, California, consisting of David “Campa” Benjamin Singer-Vine and Niles “Cyrano” Hollowell-Dhar. Partnered with Dev after listening to her work on Myspace. The hook of the track was taken from her single ”Booty Bounce”. Can you believe “G6” is made up of only three instruments accompanying the vocals - a midi tune, beats and a clap!
Dev Dev (Devin Star Tailes) is the real star of the video; she exudes confidence with her cool eclectic style. Her latest single, “Bass Down Low” managed to bag 5 million hits on YouTube. Dev’s debut album is set for an April 2011 release. She is of Mexican and Portuguese descent and is only 21 years old! Putting together this article was like attempting the craziest jigsaw puzzle ever. Listening to this track led to a myriad of explosive covers by a number of people. Let me introduce the main contenders for best cover.
Like Jesus (over 2 million views) “Like Jesus” is a parody. The lyrics are incredibly smart. So is the video. It includes everything from the big JC to them dancing nuns (Sister Act anyone?). This video will have you laughing over and over again.
DAVID CHOI feat. TheBeatboxHitman (50,000 views) Jazzy and countryish, this smooth banjo cover by Choi (musician and YouTube video producer) is way cooler than the original. You can also follow Mr. Beatbox on Twitter!
Like It’s Quidditch (3 million views) Harry Potter with his broken glasses, chocolate frogs and flavoured beans - a musical guide to all Potter trivia as well as an Asian Hermione.
Which one is the best? You decide! The
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We at Score decided to get up close and personal (as personal as a Skype Video Chat would allow) with Mr. Wilbur Sargunaraj and got to know the man behind those Karunanidhi-styled glasses and that distinct fake looking black moustache. Like he says...
SCORE’S SIMPLE SUPERSTAR EXTRAVAGANZA Guess what? Wilbur will be hosting his mega dance party and album launch soon in Chennai and we are absolutely thrilled that he has chosen The Score Magazine as his event organizers. Clear those schedules for the 5th of March and stay tuned for event details on our official website www.highonscore.com and our Facebook fanpage! The real question is will you laugh with him or will you laugh at him? Whatever you do, Wilbur will be perfectly “first class” with it!
“
I want to take the common person, the common event and common things and make it extraordinary.”
Wilbur The Rockstar He is also a professional drummer trained in Cuba and New York and gets invited to perform in different places across the globe. He stays in Canada.
WILBUR’S INSPIRATIONS From the creator of Music and dance - GOD! And of course, my inspiration, Mr. Michael Jackson! Please be watchings my video on Youtube of me doing MJ dance in Oman. Ow!
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PRASHANT IPE
Always remain
first class Sir!
as in make videos on common things like Chicken 65, how to use an eastern latrine, how to make chai etc . He described in great detail how the common man often goes unrecognized. He calls it - Cultural Intelligence. Hence the videos to help people appreciate the good in other cultures. He feels that dance and simple music is his most effective way of reaching out to others.
H
e is one of India’s BIGGEST YouTube sensations and has over half a million views to his hit single “Love Marriage”. Everybody in the house put your hands together for Wilbur Sargunaraj!
Is he really the same guy in real life as in the videos? Yes, at least the moustache, glasses, white shirt with tie. It was all there when we did the interview. He talks the same and loves saying “first class” a lot of times. He is extremely courteous and will only address you as “saar” or “madam”. What is his trip? As mentioned above, he wants to make the common extraordinary;
“It all started on the desk in Madurai! 4th Standard to 9th Standard was ‘Dapankuthu’ on the desk at school. From there I channeled my zeal to seek a proper education.” He says he does not have any specific theme in his head when he writes his song. He composed his hit song “Love Marriage” to see how people would react to it, not expecting it to get so viral. “My next Simple Superstar album is to make people simple superstars by placing emphasis on their character and richness of relationships. It is not a Bhangra Album as some people are thinking! There is dance music, techno, salsa , reggae and even the traditional South Indian dapankoothu!”
Our Verdict The guy is genuinely funny but whether he is adopting an avatar like Borat or just another normal person is hard to tell. I guess we will have to wait to find out! Wilbur’s appeal largely lies in the fact that he does look just like any ordinary guy and more importantly makes music that sounds pretty much ordinary. We can be sure of one thing though - Wilbur makes use of the power of the Internet like no other Indian Musician has - and he does a “first class” job too. The
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“
As a child, Tarzan was my favourite character. I believed that he existed and hoped to meet him someday!”
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WHAT’S IN A NAME?
REALITY COMPETITIONS
COMIC BOOKS
SPECIAL SOMEONE
My name comes from a small town along the border of Madhya Pradhesh. We call it Ujjain, but in history it was called “Ujjaini”. It also means “unconquerable”.
I have participated in two reality shows (Channel V Popstars and Sa Re Ga Ma). Sadly, some contestants lip-sync. I have seen this happen in the grand finale of one such show.
I have a lot of comics in English, Bengali and Hindi. For a long time, Tarzan was my favourite character. I believed that he existed and that one day I would get to meet him.
Thankfully, I’m single. In my opinion, it’s better to be single than to be in a bad relationship.
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Photography: Ravikiran Vissa Location: Crimson Chakra
SONALI SHENOY
QuIRKS & QUERIES with Ujjayinee Roy
Ujjayinee made a mark for herself after “Nee Marilyn Monroe” from Azhagiya Tamil Magan. And since then, we have heard her at concerts and parties. If you were at our very first Score Night, then you probably caught a glimpse of her gorgeous mane that separates her from the rest of Chennai’s music circuit! A former radio jockey for Radio Mirchi in Calcutta, she was a refreshing change from the diplomatic cliché answers that are so very predictable. Like peppermint after a long bus ride...
BIGGEST FEAR
FAVOURITE CUISINES
STAGE FRIGHT
SHE IS AGAINST...
Snakes. Even the sight of a snake on TV gives me goose bumps. ( I could not help but agree on this one! )
I love all kinds of food. My favourites would be Andhra cuisine, Bengali and Chinese. I enjoy cooking as well. It helps me relax.
For people who have just started singing or acting, practice your piece in front of the mirror. Also, try and forget your audience.
Alcohol addiction and domestic abuse. I have heard of men getting beaten up by their wives or verbally abused! Don’t take s*** from anybody. The
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THINK TERRY’S FAVOURITE MOMENTS I rode in an F-16 fighter jet and got to pull 9.5 Gs. I threw up the whole time but I did it! Being on The Oprah Winfrey Show was truly a dream come true. Watching her react to my impersonation of Marvin Gaye was wonderful!
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON I am a huge fan of Jeff Dunham. I would love to meet him one day! Simon Cowell thought I was one of the most talented people on the planet! It doesn't get much better than that, does it? David Hasselhoff is a very nice guy and he gave me some great advise after I won. "Never forget your fans. They are the ones who will make you a success."
THE ART OF PUPPET MAKING Ventriloquism is an expensive hobby! I am so happy I can pay off my debts now. A lot of money is needed to create my puppets. It involves artists and Walt Disney who help me match my visions. I then take it to the best puppet makers all over the country like The Puppet Heap Company who bring it to life.
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SHIRIN ALBERT
S GOT TALENT? HELL YEAH! How else would a 42-year old turn from rags to riches to a millionaire with the help of his little friends – a singing turtle and a hot cougar!
N
o one was more surprised to win than Mr. Fator himself. At a stage when just giving it a shot was slim pickings, he managed to bag the crown. For those of you who need to be reminded, Terry Fator, a ventriloquist who does impressions of singers, was the winner of America’s Got Talent in 2008 and has had an amazing headlining act in Las Vegas ever since (The Mirage). He went on to be signed on a more permanent basis earning him millions in the process. To me he was a fresh change. Almost like a big scoop of genius and talent in one go. It all started at the age of ten when he came across a book on ventriloquism. The thought consumed him and his mother aided him in his routines too. “My first puppet ‘Josh’ could only open it’s mouth. My mum gave it a body with a milk carton, added the arms and legs and a stick so that I could turn it’s head.” Terry was a gifted singer and had a short stint with his band Freedom Jam. Impersonations and ventriloquism became his first love which took a toll on his career as a singer. “I loved watching Edgar Bergen, Paul Winchill, Sherry Louis and Jerry nelson. They were big influences.” His journey has not been an easy one. Much of his work was unappreciated until AGT. “I liked the show. Thought I would try out for some exposure; to help my career. It was a huge shock when I won. I was immediately escorted out for interviews with all the biggest networks!” he laughs. The one thing about Terry is his instant likeability and down-toearth manner. And of course! There are his adorable puppets. Watch his videos on YouTube to hear all of them. “I am inspired from anything. For instance, ‘Vicki the cougar’, was actually based on older women I had met!”
When I asked him about the future, here is what he had to say – “Although technology becomes more important to society, people will still like to be entertained by watching amazing talent. Many countless opportunities have fallen through in my life and I am determined to work harder; to be the best that I can be. If I do that, I feel I’m accomplishing everything I am on earth for.” We could not agree more Terry!
GETTING JACKED BY THE SPARROW My wife is Hawaiian, so we spend our vacation time in Hawaii. Being in Hawaii with a local girl is always a wonderful experience. We met some of the crew of the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie and saw the Black Pearl docked in the lagoon outside our hotel! The
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DOUB “
22
Lust at first sight! She is gorgeous, and I was definitely attracted to her. We were ‘childhood sweethearts’, who eventually got married!
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BLE TAKE
Nikhita RAVI
The ‘nutcase’ duo. It was impossible to believe that two ‘crazy people’ could live together so perfectly, until we met Rohit & Pashmina Barker. A mix of passion and romance the Gods would approve of! A boy-girl story P: Rohit was my senior in school, but we had the same circle of friends. I knew him quite well, but it took us a while to start dating. And it definitely was not ‘love at first sight’!
r: Yeah, more like ‘lust at first sight’! She is gorgeous and I was definitely attracted to her. We were ‘childhood sweethearts’, who got married eventually!
Two ends of a magnet? p: Well, Rohit has always been an extremely hard-worker. Not a workaholic, but a dedicated perfectionist! I look up to the qualities he has imbibed. We share a lot of common traits.
r: We are more like ‘birds of the same feather, flock together’! I think it is important to share common ground to hold a relationship together. And we do!
Opposition p: Our parents have been friends ever since I can remember. But when it came to settling down
with a guy, they were conventional in their thinking. They wanted a Parsi boy. The opposition was immense from my side of the family but Rohit’s parents adored me!
r: I think it made us stronger as a couple. Her parents needed some sweet persuasion and it worked! We not only dealt with parental opposition, but at that time, we were working out a long-distance relationship too!
And when you are sorry? p: We quarrel like every other couple but I think there is a reason that we have been together for 17 years! We have kept the passion alive. Apologies are always accepted when you genuinely mean them.
r: Sex. When we fight, we just have sex to make up! It works out to be the most effective, and in fact, the most enjoyable apology! Photography: Nikhita Ravi
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The Ultimate Destination for Pure Silks #61, Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017
Ananya Ashok is one of the most versatile Vainikas and vocalists that a music family has ever produced. She studied music under the renowned violinist Smt. Anuradha Sridhar and is currently a student of Sri Srikanth Chary for Veena and Smt. Kala Ramnath for Hindustani Vocal. She had recently lent her vocals to an album which includes Keerthanas from composer, the saintly Sri Annamacharya’s “Nitya Sankertana”. The album is widely acknowledged in the US. She regularly performs at various World Music Festivals. A graduate in Linguistics and Anthropology from UCLA, Ananya is now a fulltime musician.
Why Score loves her 1. She
has a charismatic stage personality with the instinct of a musician determined to brush aside artificial barriers, creating an amazing fusion of emotional expression and verve to her music.
2. Thoughtful, dreamy, imaginative and pleasant are the adjectives that best describe her.
3. She
loves make-believe. What would you not give to be an innocent playful kid!
4. Be it a traditional or in-your-face outfit, she could pass off for a Runway model.
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February - March 2011
Photography: Pretika Menon Stylist: Rashmi Watwani Wardrobe: Sri Kumaran Stores Acessories: Jhilmill, Adoniya, Rashmi Watwani Jewellery Hair & Makeup: Page 3
FACETS OF A DIVA FROM A FAMILY OF CULTURAL CONNOISSEURS “I was never too keen about learning music although my dad is a trained classical musician and my mother is a Bharatnatyam dancer. My dad used to be worried that I’m utterly prosaic when it comes to music,” she giggles.
THE LITTLE MERMAID “I love Disney cartoons and I was extremely fascinated by The Little Mermaid. I used to pretend to be Ariel perched on a rock and sing the title song all along, not to mention the irritation it brought my dad after a certain point!”
PERFORMING ON STAGE “Ambience for a performance is vital and you have to make yourself comfortable. People pay to watch you perform. You owe them a good show!”
Ananya Ashok The
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Trial and error VS Ever thought of becoming a musician? Wanted to sit by a beach and just strum that old guitar, living off of love and good karma? Well, that isn’t happening as these so-called professional artists found out the hard way!
T
hrough history musicians have used their talent to enforce ideas, move nations and inspire humanity. They have also attempted at selling themselves to an everwilling, albeit dumb public. Whether they get lucky or not, it is always fun to watch.
Worst “second career” moves made by artists Jim Jones and Thurston Moore : School Teachers The allure of pedagogy is irresistible to certain musicians. It started when “Sonic Youth” legend Thurston Moore gave a lecture last month about the use of white noise on school-age children. I would like to think that inside his head, Thurston was thinking, “Dude, screw the establishment. But seriously, control your damn kids.” Sonny Bono : Politician Yeah! Him! He pulled a 180 which was all the more impressive when people took him seriously enough to launch a legit career in American politics, becoming a U.S. House Rep for the 44th district in California. Unfortunately, he was killed in a snowmobile accident in 1998. Providence didn’t agree with his choice either!
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Illustration: Francis
Ma$e : Preacher What do you do when you spend the second half of the ‘90s controlling the charts alongside Diddy and Biggie? You go into God. After releasing the classic “Harlem World,” “Murda Mase” decided that becoming a preacher was the way to go... until he tried to come back to rap in 2004, signing with G-Unit. But by then, his window of relevance had expired. Birdman : Oil Tycoon Cash Money CEO and Big Tymer Bryan Williams (aka “Birdman”) has always been a businessman. Williams insists that his Bronald Oil Company is operational and making money, but there seems to be one snag - no one has heard of it! Lance Bass : Cosmonaut In early 2002, Bass announced plans to take a trip beyond our atmosphere, courtesy of the Russian Space Program (and $20 million). However, a month before the planned launch, he was informed that he would no longer be going on the trip. Bass is still determined to make it happen as he states he is a trained astronaut. Yeah, OK, and Birdman is a real oil tycoon.
Rohan Sen
lack of grey matter Falty DL : Sushi Chef I am sure many of you have not heard of up-and-coming electronic producer Falty DL, but you might like knowing he is a trained sushi chef. As the story goes, he used to be a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant in upstate New York and was taught by the owner how to properly make sushi. YouTube it. You will thank me later.
Fred Durst : Porn Star The leaked sex tape was not representative of an actual career path for the Limp Bizkit frontman. But we will take any chance to mock Fred Durst that we can get!
Sucker Punch Now it’s one thing to have chosen the wrong path and fail miserably. It is quite another when you simply suck in your own game. Check out these two wise guys who just missed it! Syd Barrett In 1964, Barrett became a founding member of progressive rock band, Pink Floyd, recording two albums as a songwriter and guitarist. Although responsible for being a major part of their musical identity, he left in 1968 amid speculation of heavy drug use leading to mental illness. He took to art and gardening and died in 2006 after living in seclusion for thirty years. Aaron Burckhard
Stuart Sutcliffe : The Arty Farty Known as the “Fifth Beatle”, Sutcliffe has plagued Beatles enthusiasts with the notion of “what could have been.” He was the original bassist, founding member of the band and is credited along with Lennon with the iconic Beatles moniker. In 1961, he left the band to pursue an degree in art. He passed away in 1962. He was only 21.
Burckhard joined Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic in Nirvana’s frst incarnation in early 1987, though by the end of the same year he was out. It is rumoured Burckhard’s short-lived stint was due to his volatile, truculent character. Being all too fond of a fght, failing to turn up to band practice and allegedly getting Cobain’s car. Cannot help but laugh right? The
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Photography: Madhesh
Siddharth Raghunandan
Yes! We finally got hold of them! 'Darbuka' Siva, Susha and Pradeep have broken the barriers of genre, language and tradition to give you
Yodhakaa!
S
ix years in the making, Yodhakaa has risen to become one of the most original acts India has ever seen. And how? Well, imagine a band that was not only inspired by everything from Jazz to traditional Carnatic music but who’s portfolio included Latin-American, Cuban and African instruments too. The highlight though is that they contain enough Indian-ness to not be ‘labelled’ as a ‘World Music’ Band. Brainchild of percussionist 'Darbuka' Siva, it all started when Siva was looking for a setup where he could play Indian Music till he met guitarist Pradeep. A year later, the duo found the most defining element of Yodhakaa - Subhiksha Rangarajan a.k.a 'Susha'. Bringing in a strong Carnatic flavour with her crooning vox, Yodhakaa was set to conquer.
The Line Up Though the band played extensively, the trio were the only permanent members as they collaborated with innumerable musicians of various genres. They have played in almost all major cities in India and even the US consulate. Reaching across borders, their gig at one of Singapore's ‘Utsavs’ was a huge breakthrough. Yodhakaa's concerts mostly begin with a hint of surprise (or confusion) from the audience but ultimately , they succeed in winning fans from all over. "The set-list is never played in order. We change it according to the people's reaction." This smorgasbord of styles just grow on you, but you will never experience Yodhakaa unless you have seen them live. Considered to be more of performers and selective improvisers than anything else, they will take you on a heady trip unto yourself. Siva believes that inspiration comes from not only all genres of music but all artforms as well. “Watching a flamenco dance routine could inspire me to make music!”
Musicology Their self-titled album was released late 2010 and was received amazingly among the critics and audience as well. The most stand-out element were the Sanskrit lyrics derived from ancient manuscripts giving it an eerie but soulful feel. The band have a very distinct goal - to reach out to people and musically enlighten them.
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Photography: Madhesh
INSIDE THE YODHAKAA An insight into the minds of these colourful, kooky birds.
‘Darbuka’ Shiva
Pradeep
Susha
I hate it when people whine or crib a lot! And when they are late for practises.
One of my pet peeves are things that are shaped crooked. Like crooked fingers!
I get annoyed by many things. Nothing comes to mind right now!
Hidden Talent : “My next movie should be out in 2013? I’m going to be the star of the Avatar sequel. And yes, of course I’m the hero! Questioning that is like asking if Rajnikant is the hero of Endhiran.”W
Hidden Talent : Has the gift of finishing food on a table. Whether it is ordered by him or any one else. Regardless of the taste - good, bad or ugly.
Hidden Talent : I’m a shopaholic! (Anyone need any shopping advice?)
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ashwath Nair
What do you call an iconic Electronica band coming to a Southeast-Asian subcontinent to blow the minds off of innocent fans? What else can you call it but an
INVASION IN INDIA! T
he Eristoff Invasion Festival was an initiative by India’s most informative online music portal, NH7. The festival featured three prominent bands from different parts of the world; Pendulum (Australia), Pentagram (India) and for the first time in the country, The Prodigy (UK). There were two venues for the festival, the first being Bengaluru and the second, Delhi .
THE FIRST WAVE Pendulum are an Australian Electronic rock, drum & bass band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen and Paul Harding but it was Harding who went solo for the tour. They released their third studio album Immersion this year, which topped the UK charts. They are best known for their energetic live shows and advanced visual displays. Mumbai Electro-Rock pioneers Pentagram were next. The quartet performed six songs from their forthcoming fourth studio album, Bloodywood, including three new songs - “Identify”, “Human Failings” and “Lovedrug Climbdown”. Frontman Vishal Dadlani revealed that Bloodywood would see a February release. A surprise omission from the set was Up highlight “Ten” which, on recent outings, sees a Prodigy mashup. Still, the band’s high-energy was just the right start for the festival headliners.
Maxim Audience Control - Sheer ent
ARMAGEDDON! British Electronica giants, The Prodigy were up next! “Mindblowing” would be an understatement for their performance! This was a day people were dreaming about when the duo released their latest album, Invaders Must Die (and hence the eponymous tour). With 5,000 kgs of lights on stage – 92 disorienting strobes and everchanging LED displays, psychedelic neon emanated off the stage onto thousands of faces in the crowd. It might have been the most accurate simulation of an acid trip with two wild emcees, Maxim Reality and Keith Flint. It was almost déjà vu in Delhi but this time they were joined by Bay Beat Collective, Jalebee Cartel, Midival Punditz, DJ Vachan and Heavy G. I only wish the festival lasted longer. That or The Prodigy should come up with a new album as soon as possible!
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Photography: Ashwath Nair, Tejas Karguppikar, Shiva Ahuja, Kunal Kakodkar & Naina Redhu
Jalebee FRIED Cartel
Heavy G Waveforce - Doing what he does best.
tertainment!
l - Snake charmers in the making.
Paul Harding on his Pendulum
Liam Howlett does not NEED the hospital. The hospital is for YOU!
Vishal Dadlani - Pentagram never gets old!
He just Shiraz-ed his Axe!
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SONALI SHENOY
those
things
10
1. A favorite song of mine is from Paiya.
‘Thuli Thuli Mazhaiyaai’
2. I travel a lot with my friends. We like to discover new places, sometimes waterfalls in different spots. 3. My first concert was at the age of 10 and I didn’t know this at the time but M.S. Subbulakshmi was in the audience. 4. I would like to act with Nandita Das. It would be a love story obviously. 5. When I was younger, I once acted in a serial on Doordarshan and played the childhood role of
Balamuralikrishna.
6. My acting got a lot of critcism from my teachers because they didn’t want me to be a part of something that commercialized Carnatic music. 7. I don’t have a girlfriend but I draw a lot of inspiration about love from the songs that I have sung. 8. More than a singer, I would say that I am a moviegoer (2-3 movies every week!). 9. I love the concept of going for a drive. 10. If I had a time machine, I would want to bring Michael Jackson back.
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Photography: Ravikiran Vissa
Haricharan
is a voice for the masses in love.
Self-proclaimed to sing a lot of soulful songs right from his first ‘Unakkena iruppaen’ from the movie Kaadhal, this playback singer has carved a niche for himself. Haricharan made a splash in the music scene when he was as young as 17. He has worked with greats like Ilayaraja, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Harris Jeyaraj. His latest song ‘Thuli Thuli Mazhaiyaai’ from Paiya crossed ringtone sales of 9 crores! There is a lot to look forward to with this singer, and honestly, we think that it is time you got to know him a little better.
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An ‘Atma’ with no boundaries
Capturing the 'Atma' FAVOURITE ARTISTS James brown, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, RHCP, Metallica and Rihanna! MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTs ON STAGE? Has experienced the three worst nightmares of any drummer broken his sticks during a show, losing his sticks in the middle of a song and falling off his chair while playing in excitement. IF HE WAS NOT A MUSICIAN TODAY? “I would be a scientist or a physicist,” as he is interested mostly in the finer things in life. Quite literally.
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Photography: Prince Kennedy
Location: Spring Hotel
Siddharth Raghunandan
A man of discipline, substance, love, humour, spirituality and ofcourse, music, shows us why he is so LEGEN-wait-for-it-DARY.
A
tma Anur! A human with so much energy that it is INFECTIOUS even over the phone! And I am not kidding here! He is known worldwide, not only for his mad-chops on the drum skins but also for his big smiles and the innovation that he has brought into drumming virtuosity. This Brit-born, States-bred skinsman of Barbados descent (phew!) crash landed into Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, Chennai for the Fall semester. We could not miss the opportunity to soak up his international presence.
As opposed to most of the ‘Rock Icons’ being high school drop-outs, our legend went on further to Berklee College of Music. At the risk of overloading music academia, he took a year off and played on the streets (which was quite popular in the day). After making a mark with local musicians all over Manhattan, he delved into extremely experimental Jazz and wrote a book with Efraim Schwab about rhythmic understanding and composition. Over the years, Atma has covered very genre known to man. In fact, at any given point of time he would be in 7-10 bands at the same time! “The ‘80s were crazy. In a week I’d be playing 5 different genres!” he exclaims modestly.
Having collaborated with greats such as Billy Sheehan, Ritchie Kotzen, Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Dead Kennedy, Journey, Andy West, Brand X, Primus and more artists than the words in this article and featured in hundreds of records, it is really worth knowing how Mr. Anur found his groove. At the age of 2, Atma had his first taste of The Beatles on British T.V. and could not look at anyone else but ol’ Ringo. Soon enough, the little genius played constantly on his laps and cutlery till he had his first encounter with a snare drum when he was 5. Atma knew this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Going to the renowned new-age CityAs-School High School in New York and the Manhattan School of Music, he earned his bidding as a determined and earnest student.
Now playing a stint with The All-Stars (a S.A.M. faculty band going international) and releasing three CDs worldwide, the energetic multi-tasker reveals that he is a deeply spiritual person and that his ultimate goal was to “give himself over to Jesus Christ” (who knew that “Atma” was “spiritual” eh?). The advice that he offers to aspiring musicians and fellow human beings - “Find out who you are and seek your purpose and follow it with all your power.”
the B-town express
The Indian GurU
Did you know that Atma has played for several Hindi movies as well? I was surprised when he told me that he played the drums for the recent “No one Killed Jessica” (who would have thought!) which features the lovable Rani Mukherjee. All the more reason for me watch it. Funnily enough, he has forgotten the names of the other films. IMDb here I come!
Playing commercially for nearly 2 decades by the mid ‘90s, a sound only unique to Atma Anur was heard all over the states, a sound similar to what it is today. He claims that he is still learning and having played so much music, he does not really care about genres. He likes to think of himself as an Amoeba, absorbing and assimilating all of what is around him no matter what!
I was lucky enough to witness his high energy performances and be a part of his workshops where he gave us some amazing advice and tips. When I asked him about his teaching experience in India, here is what he had to say - “It has been very rewarding! I can focus on music all day long and nothing else! There are some very, very talented students over here. It was a pleasure to be around them. They are at the beginning of a very bright future. I’d want to come back next year as well!” I hope he does too. Soon!
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ASHWATH NAIR
‘No Idea’ won The Great Indian Rock festival and toured Norway in October 2006. Post split-up, only one person caught my attention...
@DrmrBoy76
Drumming is not a race. Take your time.
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Photography: S. Srirama Santhosh
R
Rahul Gopal (also known as @DrmrBoy76 in the world of the “Tweetin” blue bird) began his quest for percussive enlightenment at the age of 19 in BITS Pilani. A friend had taught him a groove which he picked up almost instantaneously! Note that he came before Youtube and learnt all he knew from VHS Tapes. He wanted to pursue music as a career but his parents were not as liberal as they are today.
He took some time off from drumming when he started working full time. He returned when No Idea was considering a line-up change. Rahul went back to work full time in 2007 and formed Blur (India’s LARGEST Gameplex). Post setting up a successful Steely Dan Tribute show, he is now a full-time endorsee of MAPEX drums - the first from Chennai! Many drummers endorse the Mapex brand : Chris Adler from Lamb of God, Tony Coleman from B.B. King’s Band and Gregg Bissonette of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band to name a few. At a recent workshop I attended, I was quite impressed by the fact that not all of the audience were drummers. They attended purely out of interest! He took questions, discussed setups and demonstrated various techniques and styles extensively. He ended the workshop by performing a song off his Drummerboy Project (mostly trip-hop), knocking the socks off of everyone! He also mentioned his new Jazz band , The Agenda, with celebrity vocalist, Sunitha Sarathy, Jazz Pianist, Matt Littlewood and Bass Guitarist, Mishko M’Ba. What I learnt from him was something that I could not learn from a lot of musicians in the city. “Don’t have opinions about other musicians. There is so much you can learn from them and make that your own.”
ADVICE FOR AMATEURS
• • • • •
Drumming is not a race. Take your time. A good musician should know how to read music. Try not to play under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, it rarely makes you sound better. Familiarize yourself with micing techniques and frequencies so you can convey better to the sound engineer what you hear in your head. ALWAYS, wear ear protection.
TOP GEAR RIMSHOTS Mapex Saturn in Galaxy Burst SNARE DRUMS 5 Black Panther snare drums Pedals And Hardware Mapex Falcon double pedals. Pearl RH2000 remote hi-hat pedal. Mapex Cymbal stands, snare stands and hi-hat stands. CYMBALS All Sabian. I use different combinations for different gigs. STICKS Vic Firths HEADS Remo Heads. If dampening is required, I use MoonGel or DrumGum. No ugly wads of cotton with sticky tape for me, thank you.
RAPID FIRE HIS CALLSIGN Drummerboy76 BAND EXPRIENCE Lil Babushka’s Grind No Idea The Steely Dan Tribute band, The Agenda Drummerboy HIS DRUMMER GODS John Bonham - Led Zeppelin Neil Peart - Rush Stewart Copeland - The Police Alec Van Halen - Van Halen GAMER? Yes Do you still play on your console? Haven’t had the time. Wish I could get back to playing though.
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Photography: Paul George Vedanayagam
srikrishna sekhar
Strictly
Off The Record Music, experimental be thy name. Off The Record has been making waves in Chennai with their unique sound.
S
itting around the table, just listening to their conversation, you can tell that these guys are musicians “Where do we keep the recorder?” “On the plate... better acoustics!” The members of the band have all been associated with different bands in the city, before forming Off The Record (OTR). Formed in 2009, the band never really made a name for itself until 2010, when they started performing at different places around Chennai. With Shakthi Gopalan on vocals, Vikram Vivekanad on guitar, Satish Narayanan on bass and Vinay Ramakrishnan on drums, the four of them have quite a wide range of musical interest. “It's like Avial,” says Shakthi. Each person's individual taste comes together to give their music an extra dimension, which is quite evident in OTR's unique sound.
Ask them about the Chennai Live Band Hunt, where they were placed third, and you get a very modest “Oh, it was good fun,” in reply. At the finals of the competition, they were judged by the faculty of Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM). “They really liked our music, and Atma Anur in particular was impressed with Shakthi's song writing abilities,” says Satish. There have been a couple of studios around the city interested in a recording deal but with only five original tunes to their name, they think it prudent to wait for a while. The band recently yook part in this year’s IIT Saarang winning “Best Bassist” and “Best Original Act”. “It made us feel old but the mood was festive and quite interesting. We were really glad to play at the big OAT for the finals of Decibels,” says Vikram. They are currently participating in the Hard Rock Cafe Band Hunt where the winners get a chance to play in London’s Hyde Park. They are also trying to work out shows to play in Bangalore and Mumbai. “We're starting small and don't want to aim too high too quickly,” comments Shakthi. It has not all been a bed of roses for the band. The first year was a struggle with clashing schedules and haphazard jam sessions. Once things did fall into place, in early 2010, their original drummer, Tapass, had to leave the country to pursue his education. That is when they got Vinay to fill in and it has been smooth sailing after that. Considering the talent these guys have, it won't be a very long wait till they earn a solid reputation, and hopefully, an album as well.
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TARA THOMAS
Watch out folks! These ‘gais’ don’t just want to
The Blacklisted ‘TT’ Sriram (Bass)
HELLO, HELLO! T T Sriram : Obsessed with cars and bikes “Thanks for the support. And no, we are not that Trash metal band from America.
Abhinav Krishnaswamy (Booby) : Has a fetish for ‘voluptuous women’. “Thank you for showing up. Now give money.”
Niranjan Swaminathan : Sets armpit hair on fire. “Bring your friends, and your friend’s friends, and spread the word for our shows. And buy the album. Don’t be cheap!”
Samudra Gupta : Looks out for stray animals and likes to moon band mates during jam sessions. “If you’re really our fan, you will start an AID Blacklisted Fund. YOU WILL! Or you shall perish in hell.”
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Abhinav/‘Booby’ (Guitar)
2005
Booby and Rytwik (former bassist) form Substance.
2007
Substance breaks up. Plans for a new band in the process.
2008
Blacklisted is formed with Abhinav, Samudra, Niranjan and Rytwik (bass).
2009
They rope in crazy Preetham Thapar along with Samudra on vocals.
2010
Rytwik steps out. T T Sriram steps in to take his place.
2011
Lo, and behold! A winning recipe.
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entertain you. They want some of your money!
Boys Samudra/’Samu’ (Vocals)
Semi Pro Scene
The band began by playing at college competitions. The highlight of which was their first gig at Deepwoods (Madras Christian College) where they placed second, and won multiple awards. “It was the first time we saw big money!” and thus began a spurt of wins at competitions all over South India. From engineering colleges to women’s colleges – they played and won them all. They recently took part in The Chennai Live Band Hunt. “It was a disappointment to lose. We’ve heard from reliable sources that a lot of crucial decisions were taken by the organisers rather than the judges themselves. This is why many bands are opting out of playing competitions altogether”.
Bonding Gais
What holds them all together? “The fact that we all bring different musical influences to the band, and that we all enjoy road side tea and bread omlette” Be it their collective bad dressing sense or their goofy sense of humour, these boys know how to have themselves a good time with the least effort. What is next for these talented fellers? An Album! In the words of Booby, “We are looking to record. But nobody likes giving us any money. No one likes to pay us even though we put hearts, souls and various other appendages into our music. No one likes to come watch a band play a predominantly original set because they have their grandmothers’ root canal appointment to look forward to. Clubs don’t like us, bars don’t like us. But we aren’t complaining. If you’re interested in hearing something good, send some donations our way. Nothing fancy. Even a kind word would do”.
Why the name ‘Blacklisted’? T T : “Dunno. I was not there at the time of christening. It should change. Sounds like a stupid sticker you see on “modified” Swifts on the fancy roads of Chennai.
Niranjan/‘Ninju’ (Drums) The
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Chilling with the Men In Blue Aum Janakiram Aum surprisingly has no guitar of his own. He calls himself the quintessential “struggling” blues guitarist. Also regarded as the shy one of the group. Neil Smith This guy was fun to talk about! The band’s official “playa”, since he manages to deal with 2-3 girlfriends at a time and is very touchy about his stuff. No wandering off with this guy’s slippers, even if you need to use the loo in a hurry! Anek Ahuja It is funny how his band thinks he talks too much. No wonder he fronts the group. He also hates The Beatles! Sacrilege!
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M they s
Vikram vivekanand
“Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.” - Jimi Hendrix
Memphis or Madras, still got the Blues! W
henever I listen to old recordings of B.B.King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, it arouses a notion so strong that it hits me right in the face. There is so much honesty and simplicity in the blues! Robert Johnson, B.B.King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin… they all spoke the truth about their pain through their music. When I walked in to watch Blues Conscience perform at Score Night, I was honestly a bit skeptical. But when I heard them do their sound check, I understood that these guys were as blue as they came. They seemed to always have a story to tell; be it lost loves, favourite pets or just about anything under the sun.
Meet Anek Ahuja, Aum Janakiram and Neil Smith – Chennai’s own swingin’ blues cats. Some of you familiar with the music scene might actually remember Aum as the guitarist for Little Babooshka’s Grind (LBG). And like most bands, these three guys knew each other since their school days. It was around two years ago that they decided to form a blues band. As far as influences go, Neil worships Ringo Starr, Steve Gadd (of Eric Clapton fame) and Steve Smith. Aum cited all the usual suspects like SRV, Eric Clapton and Hendrix. Surprisingly, for a blues guitarist, he is also influenced by Dave Murray of Iron Maiden and Slash. Anek, interestingly, has been influenced by vocalists more than bassists. He really enjoys listening to artists like Ray Charles and Buddy Guy. Why the blues? Well, to each of them, it meant something different. Neil felt that was all he really connected with. It was more about the music for him. Aum and Anek have more personal reasons for it. All their songs express something, even the most intimate details of their life. For example, “Shagging my dog”, although a questionable title, is actually about the day Anek’s friend’s dog died. They have another song titled “Morning After”, a story about one band member’s indiscretion with a girl that made him go “WHY???!!!”. And just like the original bluesmen, when these guys play, it is an outlet to sing about their worries rather than bottling it up. Another valid point is when they spoke about the lack of tribute shows which is where they want to make their mark. So if you wanna kick ‘em blues, sit down with these guys, pour yourself a drink and listen to them jam.
The Blues Dog During the final stages of editing this issue, the band’s beloved mascot, Fidget, passed away due to a road accident. This little guy often joined the band for an impromptu performance, howling whenever he could on stage to suit the mood of the song. He was also known as the ‘Blues Dog’. He will be missed.
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ONE ON ONE CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN MUSIC
HIDDEN TALENTS
P: In Israel, we don’t have origi-
P: “Painting. I actually took a year off
nal folk music. The music is a mix of
and just painted.”
different countries. They treat it like
Y: “I’m pretty good at surfing. I surf on
a hobby or a game. In India, they take the music TOO seriously. I’d like to see them have more fun with it.”
the weekends at Kovalam. You should come try it!” ON ADOPTING INDIAN NAMES
P: We realized that whenever we go Y: “Royalties! Publishing in India should be improved, rything
else.
just like eve-
Outside
India,
the
changes are way too fast for me anyway. They should slow down!
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to new places, we introduce ourselves as Patrick and Yotam, which never registers.
Y: So Patrick became Karthick and Yotam became Gotam. The names were very local and easy to remember.
Photography: Ravikiran Vissa
NES I S
S
BU
TARA THOMAS
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The first thing that popped into my head when I heard about Karthik and Gotam... Two white guys making Indian - Electronic Fusion music? Skepticism! That is, until I started listening to their album...
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The ‘Refugees’ Patrick Sebag and Yotam Agam are your typical Israelis. They have a passion to travel, explore different cultures and traditions. Their love for making music landed them in the studio together as early as 1994. “Studios were expensive then and we experimented during night shift, when it was free. We had some Iranian music and made samples from that. We never imagined that this test would become a future.” The journey since then has been one of collaboration; discovering and creating new sounds together. On arrival in India, circa 2006, they wowed audiences from coast-to-coast with their work in the award-winning ‘Laya Project’, a venture that brought together music from various countries affected by the 2004 tsunami i.e. indigenous music from Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and many more. It was all about breaking boundaries and musically uniting the affected.
Stranded Inspiration It was when stranded at an executive lounge in the Singapore Airport that they began to put together samples collected from various countries over time. They called it Business Class Refugees. Although they infuse music from around the world – the flavour seems distinctively Indian. Using instruments such as the flute, violin, sitar, classical guitar, and even a Rhodes piano – the list is endless.
BIZ CLASS PICKS Tamil Bossa – A soothing track beginning with what sounds like a Rhodes piano and a synth piece. Transitions into a subtle flute solo with soulful singing by Mahesh Vinayakram. Whoever said fusion was a recipe for disaster? Rututu - Starts off with Acoustic Guitars and moves into what sounds like a James Bond car chase – with an Indian twist. The video is worth a watch too. Boye Boye – A folk song by a singer from Tajikistan. Sounds like something that Borat would dance to – and I mean that in a good way of course.
Visual Raconteurs One thing that stands out about their concerts is the amount of planning they put into the visuals aspect of it. The stage is not only decorated but trippy videos are projected along with the music. They have a live dancer join them occasionally. “There is a team who makes the videos. People from France, UK, and Israel work on the visuals. It’s another element. The whole idea was to give people watching us an experience.” The music is a blend of electronic samples, smooth bass lines, Carnatic vocals, Indian and Tajik folk music, a multitude of well-placed instruments, chants and even a voice sample of an airhostess welcoming you on a plane ride. It really makes you feel like setting off on a journey – business class.
SURFS UP! Yotam has taught local kids to surf and he is shooting a documentary about it as well. If you go learn how to surf from them, you will be featured in it!
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SANDHYA R
Sean P. Combs, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo & Thomas Bangalter. Q. You may not know their pseudos, but you sure as hell have heard their music. Presenting the super troupers Diddy, Daft Punk, Quincy Jones.
LET’S GET POPPed Quincy Jones SOUL/JAZZ/BOSSA NOVA
Quincy Delight Jones is a force to reckon with. Fifty years in an industry as cutthroat as the music biz ain’t no joke. This is the man who was instrumental in producing three of Michael Jackson’s biggest records too! Soul Boss Nostra, a reference to Jones’ 1962 instrumental track of the same name, is his first original album since 1995’s Q’s Jook Joint. This one is a compilation of modern versions of songs from Jones’ body of work. You have an array of today’s bigwigs contributing to the album – Akon, Usher, Amy Winehouse, etc. Call us oldies but renewing the old - what is the point?
Get The Funk Outta My Face You can count on Snoop Doggy Dog to bring on the style with a laidback take on this yesteryear hit.
The Secret Garden The biggest highlight of this track is the 6 guests (even a posthumous Barry White!) featured on it. That said, this one is no match to the original.
It’s My Party Amy Winehouse sounds wasted but in keeping with the times.
P.Diddy
HIP HOP/R&B
He is always doing something new be it launching a clothesline or making bands. And if anything, it is safe to say he is a music mogul. So does it work with his latest CD? Last Train to Paris is a Diddy-Dirty Money collaborative. Diddy-Dirty Money is an ensemble project that aims at “creating a new genre of futuristic soul”. The music is R&B mostly, but with a touch of electronica. There are big names in all the collaborations – Usher, Dirty Money, Justin Timberlake and Chris Brown to name a few. More like a smooth ride with a few speed breakers.
Coming Home ft. Skylar Grey It adopts the Airplanes formula of melodic refrain with rap. Can’t get enough of it! For now.
Ass On The Floor There is less Diddy and more of the girls but this is a standout track. It has got a wicked beat and the vocals are beautiful.
Hello Good Morning Annoying catchphrase, quirky effects and a sick beat – Certified Hip Hop Hit!
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C.L.U Intense and power packed, it manages to bring an ominous touch. The electronic baseline is unconventional but it is really the strings that are responsible for the hair on your back standing.
DAFT PUNK
ELECTRONICA/TECHNO This seventeen-year-old music duo churns out a smashing OST for the TRON Legacy. The French twosome generate a robotic techno sound that screams Hollywood with it’s grandeur and magnanimity. Being a soundtrack album, it remains largely instrumental. with a few electro numbers as well. The score features an 85-piece orchestra, arranged and orchestrated by Joseph Trapanese.
Derezzled It is hardcore techno - works well as a stand-alone track and has Daft Punk written all over it.
The Game Has Changed One of the more dynamic instrumental pieces with strings and synths working hand-in-hand in creating a majestic feel.
WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER? JAY SEAN
POP/HIP HOP/R&B He rung in the New Year with a bang (literally), by ringing the closing bell on the first day of trading in 2011 at NASDAQ in Times Square, New York. Jay Sean will be releasing his fourth album, Freeze Time. Rumour has it he is roping in Pitbull (Yay to energetic, Brazilian rap that we do not really understand but cannot stop dancing to), Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Akon and Nicole Scherzinger. Bring it on, Desi Boy!
ADELE
SOUL/ACOUSTIC/POP If you were not around for her 19, catch Adele on her 21! Not her birthday! 21 is her second studio album and it seems more honest and mature. The sound has major country vibes while staying true to Adele’s signature style. The first single, “Rolling in the Deep”, is doing quite well and apparently, Ryan Tedder of One Republic wrote a song for the album for free.
AVRIL LAVIGNE POP ROCK/PUNK
With the golden curls, and high profile ad shoots, Avril seems to be more princess, less punk these days. Whatever happened? Well, she grew up. And also, in recent news, she has come out with a brand new album! Goodbye Lullaby is slated for a March release and has Lavigne sounding “a little more mellow and deep”. Her single “What the Hell” is out presently. Watch out for the video though. It is in 3D! The
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Daring Young Divas take over Chennai Live 104.8FM Queue dramatic music Arjun Thomas: I’m stuck here in the back of the production studio....there are all these noises and I just don’t know what they are? Geoffrey, Melbin, they’ve just completely vanished.... I think I’m the.....Wait...did you hear that? What’s that noise? Chennai Live 104.8FM is evacuating all the men from the station as we pass the microphone to the daring young divas of Chennai to take over our studios. We want young women of Chennai below the age of 30 to come forward and make your gender proud by taking over our 4 prime shows on March 8th – Live Talk, Chennai Connection, Live Cafe and The Evening Drive. We are dedicating our airwaves to all those young women who have a voice and have something to say. All you have to do is email us at programming@chennailive.fm or SMS CL <space> your name <space> woman to 5600605. Entries welcome till Feb 23th. Auditions will be conducted on Feb 25th.
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