PALAK DOSHI
BAND OF THE MONTH : THE F16 ’ S
LET ’ S HIT CTRL + S ON THIS ONE-TO-ONE WITH THE F16S FOREVER !
Is It Time to Eat the Rich Yet ? Relax . I am not talking about a utopian world , but the latest EP by the Chennai indie rockers F16s that might ’ ve stirred a certain storm in the music scene . The F16s have developed their inimitable brand of eccentric and danceable alt-pop . They fascinatingly , maintain a nostalgic vibe through their indie and alternative routes into styles of experimental , funk , and jazz .
This month we had this incredible opportunity to chat up with the four-piece band featuring Abhinav Krishnaswamy , Shashank Manohar , Joshua Fernandez along with Harshan Radhakrishnan . And here are some juicy tit-bits that we got them to spill !
What does the name F16s mean and where did the inspiration come from ?
We ’ d like to think that the origins of the name are immaterial at this point , but sure - F16-ing is when you meet your friends for a meal but there ’ s one ‘ sandwich ’ amongst you . You take a bite and pass it around , salvaging the food till it comes back to you . Also , refer ‘ taxiing ’.
You have been performing and making music for almost a decade . Looking back now , what was one of your pinch-me- I ’ m-famous moments ?
Anytime we have people singing our songs back to us at full volume during a show .
How did all of you meet and decide to collaborate ?
We were all bred on the college competition circuit in Chennai . All of us were in different bands till they melted away and left us together .
Do tell us about your latest gig ‘ Is It Time to Eat the Rich , Yet ?’ that ’ s an eclectic mix of songs evoking different emotions and moods . And , what do you love about it ?
It took a toll on us to make this , considering the business end of this album came during the pandemic . Cloistered together indoors , distraught and unsure of what the future held , we decided to finish this as an exercise for ourselves in DIY . We love watching the album unfurl and blossom the way it currently is .
How did you discover the winning formula for this EP ?
Keep it DIY , simple . From recording and mixing it ourselves , to filming the video and sourcing props for it ourselves . We don ’ t discount outsider perspective , but this felt like the right way to do things , for this EP at least .
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