Mumbai-based band Something Relevant is out with its debut album, Feels Good To Be live. The Guide tuned in
Mumbai-based band Something Relevant is out with its debut album, Feels Good To Be live. The Guide tuned in
"The city is one of our biggest influences," says Jehangir Jehangir, drummer for Mumbai-based band Something Relevant. You believe him too, soon after the eight-member ensemble's debut album Feels Good To Be Live is placed in your hands.
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CD cover of Feels Good To Be Live |
Not exactly an advertisement for Mumbai Tourism, the sleeve features everything from road rage to murder victims, and dabbawalas to movie posters. There's also a snide cartoon of a tiger holding up a "Save The Tiger" banner. So, yes, Mumbai certainly is an influence.
It's in the music, too -- the lyrics of the track Horn OK Please, the bluesy melody of Tomorrow, or album closer Harry Mole, which sounds like the last song played before a small bar closes for the night.
"We all grew up in the city," adds Jehangir, "and a number of tracks on the album reflect that."
How these eight guys -- Aazin Printer (lead vocals), Stuart DaCosta (bass), Tanmay Bhattacherjeeu00a0 (lead guitar), Aalok Padhye (percussion), Ryan Sadri (saxophone), Armeet Panesar (trombone), Luis Chico (piano), Jehangir (drums) -- came together is a whole other story. What they do on stage is what ought to matter, considering they clearly love to play live.
When asked to describe their music, the drummer mentions an emphasis on emotions rather than the need for a strict verse-chorus-bridge format. The influence of jam bands like the mighty Phish is obvious, and Jehangir also lists Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, James Brown, The Beatles and Miles Davis, among others.
As an album, much of this holds together. The I'm so high refrain on Aha is infectious, Eddy on a Roll is mellow, and The Comfort Song is a definite surprise. It's sweet, poignant, and like something Bob Marley and Paul McCartney would collaborate on, were they to find themselves on a Borivali local together. Though one suspects much of this would sound better live, primarily because the fluid nature of the arrangements makes it easy for the musicians to slip in and out of predetermined roles.
Like thousands of other Mumbaikars, Something Relevant also miss performing at Rang Bhavan. Their message to the powers that be: "This is a venue of sentimental and emotional connection to the music-loving community. Can't we reach some sort of compromise?" Like them, a large number of us live in hope.
Something Relevant, Feels Good To Be Live, Relevant Records, Rs 250. Available at all leading music stores.
