MERKABA
When the energy on stage sky rocketed, we knew it was unmistakably Merkaba. From instrumental proficiency and musicality that touched hearts, to up beat and groovy tracks that brought together every western music genre we know, here ' s the band had to say about their music.
What was the thought process behind putting this band together?
We wanted to make music that was urban, contemporary, friendly and accessible and something that we would all have fun playing. We’ ve all played together and worked together in different settings, but this project was the brainchild of Sanjay and Vasundhara. And we enjoy playing together, so we thought why not?
What do you think of this music as perceived by the youth?
The idea was to be able to keep the music open, and borrow from all the music that we like, that included pop, funk, RnB, jazz, soul and all these western styles. We play with different bands and a lot of fusion and classical music, so this was more of a contemporary setup.
Do you have any advice for young musicians?
Listening to more music. And it shouldn’ t be labeled again. Not just jazz or rock, the past and the present, but everything, and then getting an education in it. Being a part of the music community, coming out to gigs and watching other musicians, practice and dedication. It’ s really important to come from a place of liking and enjoyment when you’ re learning music cause then you’ ll really find more of yourself in it.
RASYATRA
A magnificent marriage of cultures was what we witnessed on the first day of palm with Tamil and Marathi, and Indian and contemporary sounds colliding in an effortlessly blended series of compositions by Hamsika Iyer ' s Rasyatra. Here ' s what they had to say about their band.
What do you try to communicate with your music?
Music is an intangible thing that can’ t be described with just words. A musician tries to make the intangible into tangible. If you can’ t communicate something in any other way, there’ s always music. That’ s what we try to do with our music.
What keeps you grounded to this music?
It’ s second nature. When you get up you want to talk. Similarly when you get up you want to sing. Every day is a new day. Like Heraclitus says, no man ever steps in the same river twice. It’ s a new experience every day. If you say‘ Sa’, this Sa is going to sounds different every day. And the newness of it is what keeps us grounded.
Do you incorporate modern technology into music? How does it affect your sound?
We say that if it’ s Indian, is it also modern. Modern isn’ t necessarily Western. You do have modern Indian music. This isn’ t just classical, but we’ ve blended folk and regional sounds into our music along with technology. So you could say that Rasyatra has an Indian soul, with a contemporary sound.
Any advice you would like to give to budding musicians?
Don’ t give yourself advice( laughs). It’ s such an individual journey that has to be experienced within. You’ re discovering who you are. I may have my faults and my merits, but I know that no one will have that very combination. So you shouldn’ t follow someone’ s path. You should find your own.
The Score Magazine
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