Lounge Piranha| Photo: Bibhash Dash
Manipal: Voted as one of the top three bands in Bangalore by Radio City in 2006 and also highly appreciated for creating their own sound, Lounge Piranha came to rock Manipal on 27th April at club ‘Enigma’. Rockers Abhijeet Tambe, George Mathen, Rohan Ramesh, Kamal Singh, Parvez and Archana are the members of the band. Here are few excerpts from an exclusive interview TMJ had with them:
Q: How did Lounge Piranha come into existence?
A: We never started with the motive of forming a band. We met each other and started jamming at a friend’s place, clubs etc in Bangalore for almost six months. It used to mainly be on weekends. Then the lure of fame and money was too irresistible (laughs). But our complete story can be read on our comic strip ‘Shatrix’.
Q: Lounge Piranha is said to have a sound of its own. What genre would you place your music in?
A: Our music cannot really be classified. Many a time, we create instrumentals that do not even have any lyrics. We call it “Post rock”; it’s our version of music.
Q: Can you tell us more about the instrument called didgeridoo?
A: It is basically a wind instrument, famous in Australia. Parvez is our expert. It can be technically said to be a sort of ‘time-keeper’, just like the beats while playing the organ.
Q: Do you think that upcoming bands today are supplemented with enough opportunity?
A: It depends on what you have to give your audience. Lots of bands survive only on the motto of ‘give them what they want’. That is why they shy away from originals. We do not believe in covers, and the ones we do, are usually highly modified. Nevertheless Bangalore and a few other cities certainly accepted us for what we are.
Q: How do you manage your career along with the band?
A: It is not all that hard. You do need a source of income. No matter how tiring the day at work has been, we are never too tired for a rehearsal. It probably does affect your social life to a certain extent, but when you love what you are doing, it really does not seem too big a sacrifice.
Q: Which is your best performance till date?
A: Our Ahmedabad gig was an unexpected success. One minute, people were sitting around, the next, the whole mass moved towards the stage, creating a band’s dream audience! It was an experience!
Q: What would you say is an ideal audience?
A: You, you and you!
Q: Any mantra for upcoming bands of today?
A: Be original- Do your own covers!
Sub-edited by Nida Unas |
