Incidentally, Mumbai-based reputed girl band Indiva was formed in the winter of 2012 and it lodged its debut show at Bandra’ s famous Amphitheatre on the‘ Twelfth Night’( January 6) of the following‘ new year’ 2013. Keyboardist Merlin D’ Souza, vocalist Hamsika Iyer, violinist Shruti Bhave Padhye and guitarist with complementing vocals Vivienne Pocha made inroads as a consolidated outfit to infuse a fresh lease of life in the air of band-music.
Having stood the test of times and sticking around for almost three years now, the band now emerges as one voice and one soul. For it has never been a flash-in-the- pan phenomenon for the group, opposed to popular notions.“ Our USP lies in our breathing space. We allow each other adequate space to groom, innovate and evolve,” asserts the Tamilian Hamsika, who’ s also trained in Carnatic music.“ Unity in diversity is our motto. So despite hailing from different schools of music, we embrace one another’ s styles and there is always a room for an exchange of healthy vibe,” she further amplifies her point.
Confabbing about the current status of girl bands in India, Merlin says:“ The trend is slowly but surely giving way to a reality that all-girl-bands are here to stay. Music fests too host many prevalent troupes in various forms— duo / trio and bands with an entire ensemble of female-musicians.” However, the scenario is glaringly different from continents like Europe and America.“ Music in its holistic approach in the West is deeply entrenched within the school curriculum from grade 1 to high school. So crossing any gender bias, each student— whether a boy or a girl— is strongly encouraged to make music an integral facet of their formative, educative years. Thus opting music as a career choice with lucrative opportunities on stage / studio or in production spheres and other affiliated areas, is inevitably an easy option there!” she distinguishes.
Interestingly, the north east belt has a natural flair for music as a breeding ground for multiple artistes, bands and musicians. Among the notable figures, maverick Khasi guitarist and singer from Shillong( Meghalaya) Lou Majaw still keeps the cult of Bob Dylan kindled by offering his tribute tours. A crop of girl bands has also geared up from this zone for a giant kill. Among them, The Vinyl Records is a well-known all-girl rock band, heavily influenced by international bands of acclaimed Brazilian, Swedish and Californian pedigree. The four-piece band agrees that its members closely follow the philosophy of modern-day Riot grrrl bands which more often than not, address issues of rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy and female empowerment which fiercely plague the feminine force.
Burning the dance floor or setting the stage afire across all Indian metro-cities, The Vinyl Records banner comprises a bevy of twinkletoed vivacious belles as in guitarist Banu, bassist Minam, drummer Mithy and vocalist / keytarist Cheyyrian Bark. The band was forged in 2010. While the first three bandmates belong to the province of Arunachal, Cheyyrian comes from Assam.“ True that I joined in the fold a season later but it wasn’ t much of a fuss for me to adjust as we all hit it off really well from the word go. Our wavelengths matched, so did our similar musical tastes. If you want to attain your goal, just pull up your socks and stubbornly hog for it. In the process, make sure to buck up and I bet no force in the universe can stop you!” advocates the cute, chinky Cheyyrian.
Playing the unique instrument of keytar— the deadly combo of a keyboard and a guitar, Cheyyrian volunteers that she uses it because“ I like the analogue sounds in it and it helps me cover up the entire stage so that I can sing and dance at the same time. It looks funky too.” An instrument-wizard, she currently trains in the piano keys.
It’ s a myth that the so-called‘ weaker sex’ cannot play heavy instruments as good as the‘ stronger sex’. But one woman has busted this misconception and that is Mithy.“ Most men are born physically tougher than women. But drumming is not just about stamina and high fitness quotient. One needs to be calm and patient in head to beat the instrument hard with intense passion. I saw a lot of women drummers banging it like crazy and that only motivated me more. And you know, it’ s always a challenge to work out of your comfort orbit,” she sets the record straight. Not at all unfazed by the mixed response that the band elicits along its travel-path, the bandsters solemnly target to reach out to the womenfolk and draw their reactions to their brand of music.
Among the increasing ilk of girl bands, noticeably a gaggle of sibling duo, trio, quartet and quintet too have sprung up down the line. The Jackson 5 and Bee Gees are fabled legends now. But back home, the classy Sami Sisters( with crooner Usha Uthup and her three sisters Indira, Maya, Uma) of the popular swinging retro era of club cocktails, the Naga Tetseo Sisters— devoted to the art and
The Score Magazine
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