Spook
Taking into account a host of varying influences, as stated by the band’s reverbnation page, be it funk, pop, grunge or classical, it is safe to say that this 5 piece Mumbai act certainly falls under the ‘eclectic’ umbrella, for all genre purposes at least. Regarding the sound, the band is clearly skilled at creating mellow, polished pop gems, complete with soothingly inherent instrumentation, violins, pianos and a vocalist which shines through above all with a certain emotive, expressive quality. Currently involved in the production stages of releasing their first five song EP, the band is one of the few groups capable of delivering the goods live on stage and a must watch for those searching for a certifiably fresh sound.
Recommended song – 3 screwdrivers and a white bikini.
Travelling River Band
A rare sense of maturity can be heard in the impassioned sounds of Travelling river band, a Mumbai quintet playing charmingly rustic folk tunes with an underlying bluesy rock sound, something simply achieved through years in the scene as is the case with this particular band’s lineup. A group wholly committed to their sound, the band’s approach doesn’t seem the least bit contrived, sonically falling somewhere between the modern folk sounds of Mumford & sons and the Decemberists. Commercial appeal might be few and far between in a scene dominated by heavy reverb laden insolents, but the vocalist’s astute phrasing shrouded by a deftly played harmonica and guitar sets them apart.
Recommended song – Between the lines.
Mindflew
Equipped with an array of low key numbers, Mindflew are proving to be one Delhi’s fastest and among the more widely appealing rising stars. A perfect combination of psychedelic outlooks and alternative rock leanings leads this band into a sound that is both expansive and intimate. Charming in their own right, straightforward in their simple, unfussy beauty, the imaginative, creative song structures and lyrics render their tunes crisp, uncluttered and a treat to listen to. With a few more shows under their collective belts, the band is destined to come into their own and break through the angst-ridden barricade amassing a loyal fanbase, beginning with their gig alongside the fusion army that is Advaita, in the 'Concert for Tigers' at Sri Ram Centre on July 29th.
Recommended song – Dream.
Peter Cat Recording Co.
Gypsy jazz is not a genre often heard from your local Indian act, and for good reason. In untrained hands it is most likely to result in a cacophony of sounds, but in the vision of one Suryakant Sawhney, the soul and founder of Peter cat recording co, it is a sound wildly inventive and melodically illusory. The second incarnation of the band, the first set in San Francisco, now based in Delhi, finds tongue in cheek song titles enclosing dark, provocative, surrealist lyrics, set to the tone of swinging psych folk, all recorded in a lo-fi setting devoid of any fancy studio devices. Employing a range of additional instrumentation, harmoniums, violins, in addition to the standard set up, the band planning on releasing a full length debut by next month is actually capable of breaking new ground for Indian artists internationally.
Recommended song – The clown on the 22nd floor.
Fidel Mehra
One look at the reverbnation national charts in the last two months is all that’s needed to determine the next big thing in the Indian rock lexicon. Best described as electronic or experimental, multi instrumentalist Fidel Mehra dabbles in almost every genre possible, creating discernibly varied songs, ranging from harsh industrial sounds to delicately ambient stylings peppered with traditional Indian instrumentation. The boundary less music created by this Delhi native is on par with his humble following of a DIY ethic, mixing, mastering and producing each song from home. After generating a support for his music through social networking sites, an experimental rock album is reportedly in the works scheduled for release in December, almost certainly preordaining him as a force to be reckoned with.
Recommended song – Aasmaan.
The Colour Compound
Comprised of an experienced bunch of lads from Mumbai, previously of more acclaimed local acts namely Rosemary and Something Relevant, the Colour Compound finds these able musicians moving into something distinctly original, a sound that is by all means thoroughly refreshing. Nearly all of the tracks, available for your listening pleasures on youtube, are constructed around poppy vocal hooks rather than big riffs, featuring dual vocal harmonies and hum along melodies that rightly capture the imagination. Tight songwriting by means of additional flourishes which always remain sonically distinct, prevent this group from succumbing to sloppiness and producing a steady stream of catchy pop/rock tunes. Be sure to catch them on the 3rd of August live at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Recommended song – What’s the worst?
No Safe Word
With a nihilistic punk attitude, dark sado-masochist themed imagery and a rough around the edges sound, No Safe Word, Chennai’s newest underground sensation delves into the musical spectrum with influences from proto punk legends The Stooges and psychobilly stalwarts, The Cramps and The Gun Club. A continuation of Adam & the fish eyed poets’ gritty sound, front man Kishore Krishna’s solo project, No safe word is an unrefined cocktail of raw yet sexy music, offering up a necessary alternative to a stale and predictably generic Indian punk scene. Following a series of highly volatile gigs, the band now finds itself in exile, toiling away to compile a 13 song demo that is bound to shake up a nascent scene.
Recommended song – Mantis Blues.
Sulk Station
Arguably one of the country’s few untapped talents, Bangalore’s electronic duo Sulk Station, inclined towards the experimental sounds of downtempo and trip hop are creating their own brand of moody and hypnotic music set in a heavenly ambience. Tanvi Raos’ sultry vocals layer atop of Rahul Giri’s minimalist glitched out beats to create an innovative template of sounds, an arrangement which allows the two to play out extremely inviting, compelling tunes, complete with hip hop beats, turntable scratches and an undeniable ability to spellbind the listener. Certainly the closest point of comparison being Bristol’s trip hop elite Portishead, the band however in combining electronic grooves with traditional Indian classical music have created a sound of their own.
Recommended song – Wait.
