Musical Interlude: May Edition II

Another familiar face of the musical theatre scene in the city is Nisha Idicula. She jumps into any tune from symphonic metal to acapella. Acoustic tracks have a special soft spot. She has sung and collaborated with musical acts in Bombay and Bangalore and apart from music she sells news for a living. Listen to the two tracks she is sharing with you this week.

Snarky Puppy - What About Me? (We Like It Here) 

As a happy person, I love music that gets me moving. Instrumental music is usually associated with go to sleep kind of tracks which have the piano in the background to add that calming effect. Then came along Snarky Puppy.

Snarky Puppy is a Brooklyn, New York-based instrumental fusion band. The album ‘We Like it Here’ was recorded and filmed live with a studio audience over four nights in the Netherlands and is out of this world. The band is led by Michael League, a Grammy Award-winning bassist, guitarist, composer, arranger, producer, label owner, and bandleader based out of Brooklyn, New York.

One listen to this album and this song and I can promise you that your jaw will drop with the insane amount of talent you hear and that you will be as hooked as I am. 

MisterWives- Reflections

Pop music is usually associated with the Taylor Swift’s of the world but MisterVives has a fresh take on Indie-Pop that makes you want to be happy. Their sound is infectious and catchy, the kind that sticks in your head in the good way. 

Musical Interlude: May Edition I

This month, we are treating you to two guest contributors. The first is Shyju Varkey- the guy known to take over Bangalore's stages with his incomparable acting and singing talent. I'm sure you'll love his selections.

There are a million and a half bands. Then, there’s Rush.

Like most things transcendental, it’s a tough act to comprehend but once you do, there’s no getting out.

There’re two aspects of music that most of us get attracted to – the evocativeness of the music per se, and the lyrical quality.  The former works at a subliminal level;the latter boils down to the quality of storytelling. I've chosen two pieces that reflect one of each.

Of these, the first was what drew me inexorably to Rush and the second, when I got incurably addicted to the magic of Messrs Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The year was 1992. Twenty three years later, I still go weak-kneed when I hear these tracks. It could also be the onset of arthritis, but I chose to think otherwise.

Red Sector A

Back in the days of analog, I used to play a tape before hitting the sack. I didn’t like counting sheep. Instead, I’d conjure up images of the songs that were playing, trying to make a video in my head.  I’d usually drift into la-la land by the end of the first song. There was this one time, however, when just as I felt myself drifting off into slumber, I woke up in cold sweat.

In my soporific state, I had distinct images running through my head. Try it yourself. Click on ‘play’, close your eyes and make your own images to this song. Then watch the video. I promise you a tingle running down your spine.

Anagram

Really, has there been a cleverer song than this? 20 years on, I still discover a nuance every time I hear it. It’s a lyrical masterpiece. The video here has been put together by some random person in a way that made sense to him. You’ll find the lyrics relevant in different ways for you.

And, to amuse yourself, try to locate the anagrams in each line.

For those who aren't familiar with cryptic clues, here’s an example:

In the first line, ‘There’s a snake coming out of darkness’ – the letters in red make up s-n-a-k-e. Sorry for the spoon-feeding. I just thought it was important enough that no one misses it. Now, go forth and figure out the rest of the song! 

P.S. Check out their 'No One at the Bridge' and 'Trees' too, for evocativeness and lyrical genius.

Happiness Inc.

Tanisha's Pick

This song is such a happy feel-good track. This band doesn't get nearly enough recognition as it deserves. Caught my attention especially because of the setting in an Architect's office and the fact that you don't have to be a cleaner there for the lyrics to make sense to you. 

This week I'm off on a month long project trip in North India. This happy track is perfect for the week. :)

"Light it up up up oh oh oh"

Sudhir's Pick

So this song might not scream "Sudhir" but I like it a lot. Tracey Chapman has always been a big favourite. And the Bobby Brush remix brings her unique voice back to today's listeners. The deep and meaningful lyrics remain but are enhanced (atleast in my opinion) by the sounds of the trumpet roaring in the background and a more techno beat. Great for Sunday listening.

While you were listening to Britney...

Sudhir's Pick

Instead of listening to the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears in the late 90s and early 2000s I wish I was listening to these guys. Formed in 1998, this South African indie band has a beautiful way of transitioning between alternate rock, indie rock and indie pop. The arc of their development as a band is evident if you take a listen to some of their earlier songs such as Beautiful and Rock Paper Scissors. The song I picked for this week is the perfect song to play for a relaxing Sunday brunch. Trust me.

Tanisha's Pick

Keeping with the theme of music from the early 2000's, I've chosen a track by The John Butler Trio called Zebra released in 2003. One of my favourites from the album, it combines a variety of genres from the usual indie rock of JBT's music with a twist of folk, and funk rock. It also includes an awesome variety of instruments- the double bass, random percussion and of course John Butler's incredible skills on the slide guitar. 

The title of the song describes the opposites throughout the song that conclude in the words, "I can be anything I put my mind to. Man, all I gotta do is give myself half a chance" 

His band member's have been ever changing over the course of the past decade, but John's talent is still strong even now with his recent album last year.