Work, life and music

Tails On Fire Alt Rock group

Merchant navy, advertising agency, branding and marketing for Skore condoms - what happens when craniums from these vocations collide? They end up writing songs about alien monkeys and what a headshot of happiness could mean to an exhausted employee at the end of the day. Meet Tails On Fire (TOF) - the Alt Rock group from Chennai, who will introduce Mumbaikars to their brand of music today.

Sriram TT (guitars), Karan Nair (vocals), Jitesh Dharmaraj (bass) and Ritesh Dharmaraj (drums)

Different cities, two bands
Vocalist Karan Nair works from Mumbai and flies to Chennai for rehearsals. Guitarist Sriram TT is also the frontman of the famed band, Skrat. Despite impediments, TOF still scores on content and tightness. "I fly down for rehearsals. At times, they do the same. We try to meet up a day before gigs, that is how we wrote a few songs for an EP that will be released by October-end. We are currently recording it (in Chennai)," says Nair.

"Music is an escape from work. Whichever band gets gigs, I am happy," says Sriram, also a biker. "I have also done a seven-city tour in India with Skrat on a bike for getaways," he adds.

The band managers ensure gigs don't clash. "There have been occasions when both bands have played at one event, leaving Sriram drained," laughs Nair, an advertising professional, who has been upfront with his employers about slicing out time for music.

Bass and drums siblings
The band is also home to siblings Jitesh Dharmaraj (bass) and Ritesh Dharmaraj (drums). "They have great compatibility. Even if we don't rehearse, we know these guys will pull it off," says Nair. Ritesh, who used to be in the merchant navy, is currently pursuing music full-time.

New EP
The upcoming EP comprises six tracks. "It is an interesting evolution from the first album, the sound is a lot richer and deeper," says Nair, who can't discuss the selling plan in detail but confirms, "It will be pay-what-you-want."