Swarathma Explained

Swarathma Kannada: ಸ್ವರಾತ್ಮ
Background:group_or_band
Landscape:Yes
Origin:Mysore and Bangalore, India.
Genre:Indian Folk/Fusion
Years Active:2002 - present
Label:Independent
Website:http://www.swarathma.com
Current Members:Vasu Dixit
K J Pavan
Sanjeev Nayak
Jishnu Dasgupta
Varun Murali
Joel Milan Baptist
Past Members:Abhinanth Kumar
Arjun
Dheeraj Joseph
Montry Manuel

Swarathma (Kannada:Kannada: ಸ್ವರಾತ್ಮ) is a Bangalore (India)-based Indian Folk/fusion band. The current line-up features Vasu Dixit (vocals and rhythm guitar), K J Pavan (percussion and vocals), Varun Murali (guitar and vocals), Sanjeev Nayak (violin and vocals), Jishnu Dasgupta (bass guitar and vocals) and Joel Milan Baptist (drums). The band's sound draws from Indian Folk and Classical Music, blending it with Western sounds like Blues Rock and Reggae. Their lyrics are inspired by personal journeys as well as social and political themes.

Swarathma has released two full-length studio albums, the self-titled Swarathma (2009) and Topiwalleh (2012) as well as several singles and music videos. They were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine's India edition as well on their list of 25 Hottest Indian Bands.[1] [2] They swept the annual Jack Daniels Indian Rock Awards 2009, winning Band, Song and Album of the Year.[3] They have toured Morocco, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore and are one of India's biggest folk rock bands.[4] [5] [6]

History

Formation and early years

Swarathma was formed in 2002 in Mysore when vocalist and songwriter Vasu Dixit met Abhinanth Kumar on guitars with the objective of creating original music. Joined by K J Pavan on percussions and Arjun on the violin, they were the original line-up. Dixit left in 2003 to pursue a Masters in Film and Video Communication from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, leading to the band taking a two-year break, but regrouped in 2006 with Montry Manuel on drums.[7] The first break for Swarathma came when they won Radio City Live 2006, an SMS based contest for Bangalore's best band, conducted by the FM radio station Radio City on 30 September 2006.[8] The fresh original sound of the band won them the contest coupled with the fact that they played a song "Ee Bhoomi" (This Earth) in Kannada. The show ended with a jam session with leading Indian rock band Parikrama. Swarathma continued to play shows in and around Bangalore, gaining popularity and building a fan-base, while searching for a record label who would release the band's music.

Owing to other professional commitments, Abhinanth, Arjun and guitar-player Dheeraj Joseph could not continue full-time with the band. Over the year 2007, they were joined by Sanjeev Nayak on the Violin, Varun on lead guitar and Jishnu Dasgupta[9] on bass guitar who earlier played with the band bodhiTree, from XLRI Jamshedpur.[10] The varying musical backgrounds of the members caused the music to evolve.

The new line-up played at various venues including the prestigious Mysore Yuva Dasara Habba,[11] the celebrations of the Indian festival Dasara in November 2007. Sharing the stage with other noted artistes like Usha Uthup, and Sunidhi Chauhan[12] the band was lauded for the strength of the compositions and on-stage energy.

The band was nominated in three of the eight categories of the Jack Daniels Indian Rock Awards[13] 2008, including Best Vocalist, Best Song and Best Album/EP.[14]

This was the first time that a song in Kannada was nominated for such an award.

Swarathma also played at the Fireflies Festival of Sacred Music held off Kanakapura Road in Bangalore every year on 23 February 2008. They featured alongside artistes such as Oikotyaan in the night long festival.[15]

The Swarathma debut album: breaking into the national scene

In early 2008, Radio City re-launched Radio City Live,[16] a nationwide hunt for India's best Hindi band.[17] Selecting from over 100 entries from bands across India, Swarathma made it to the national finals with a winning performance.[18] [19]

The band flew to New Delhi for its first show outside Karnataka at the Garden of Five Senses. Pitted against six other top bands from across the country, Swarathma delivered a powerful performance that won them the Radio City Live title.[20] In press interviews the band said that it was a combination of theatric showmanship and musical effort that brought them this honour.,[21] coupled with the fact that the onstage energy came from close relationships that band-members shared amongst themselves.[22] Palash Sen of Euphoria, one of the judges of the event said, "This is the moment we've all been eagerly been waiting for - Swarathma being declared India's best Hindi Band!".[23] This was one of the band's biggest moments.[24]

Swarathma entered Kshitiz Studios, New Delhi in July 2008 to record their debut album with EMI Music India as part of winning RC Live[25] with Amit Kilam as the producer. Being the drummer for Indian Ocean, a band that Swarathma had looked up to since formation, he was able to translate the band's vision onto the CD.[26] However the recording took longer than expected with vocal parts being re-recorded in Bangalore over November 2008. It was mixed at Audio Track, Chennai and mastered by Ty Degroff at The Final Sound, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

The debut album released on 5 January 2009 on Virgin Records to mostly positive reviews.[27] The freshness of sound coupled with insightful, sensitive lyrics touching upon subjects as varied as India's economic regeneration and personal journeys made Rolling Stone magazine give it four stars and describe it as "the next level" of Indian rock.[28] The band supported the album with an aggressive tour schedule playing at major Indian cities, despite a freak accident leading to Vasu's shoulder dislocation.[29]

Soundpad album and international acclaim

In March 2008, Swarathma were chosen as one of the four Indian acts to be part of the India Soundpad Sessions, a project bringing together emerging artistes from India and UK's top producer John Leckie[30] to collaborate and record together in a series of special studio sessions set to take place in India. Leckie was impressed by the band's brand of folk-infused indie-rock describing it as "celebratory, and totally unlike anything you would get in Britain".[31] In October 2008, Swarathma entered the Yash Raj Studios with John Leckie and Massive Attack producer Dan Austin to record two tracks for a compilation album funded by the British Council.[32] The project also featured Indigo Children, Medusa and Advaita in an effort to showcase the Indian independent music scene. The album released in May 2009 to mixed reviews, however Swarathma received consistently positive feedback owing to the infectious live energy apparent on the recordings.[33] In October 2009, the song "Jamba" from this compilation was picked up by the Music Alliance Pact featuring the top indie songs from 33 countries.[34]

In May 2009 Swarathma went on a mini-tour of the UK in support of the Soundpad album, their first international tour.[35] They played two showcases at The Great Escape Festival, one at The Arc and the other at Horatio's Bar on the Brighton Pier[36] where they managed to get the largely British crowd sing along to Indian lyrics.[37] Those exposed to Swarathma's theatrics-heavy stage act described it variously influenced by krautrock, garage punk and ska while reaffirming its earthy appeal.[38]

Topiwalleh (2012)

With a slew of new songs written over the years Swarathma went into studios with producer Loy Mendonsa to record its second album titled Topiwalleh. The album featured darker overtones and a heavier sound that was positively received. The title song was actively used by the band to speak out against corruption in politics while other songs like 'Aaj ki Taaza Fikar' and 'Ghum' spoke about issues like media sensationalism and child sexual abuse. The band heavily toured with the album winning critical and popular acclaim across the country. Upon the release the band was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone.[39] Following the release drummer Montry Manuel left the band to pursue his solo percussion project Thaalavattam.[40]

Social consciousness and activism

The band is socially conscious and have taken up causes such as discouraging the use of plastic[41] by promoting cloth shopping bags made by Small Steps, a Puducherry based NGO.

In April 2009 they announced that they would be doing one free performance for the underprivileged, or for a cause, for every paid performance they did.[42] This has led them to play at village courtyards[43] and orphanages[44] as well as in aid of NGOs such as the Indian Youth Climate Network organised Climate Solutions Road Tour[45] and the Twestival Bangalore[46] that raised INR 30,000 in one afternoon for Dream a Dream Foundation.[47] They also supported the Green Idol campaign of Greenpeace in India by doing street shows to raise awareness about global climate change.[48] In January 2010 they launched a series of concerts called Action Replay,[49] which involves performances at venues for people who otherwise cannot access live contemporary music. They performed at the Sumanahalli Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre in Bangalore to raise awareness of a land dispute.

Collaborative musical style

Swarathma is best known for a number of often spontaneous collaborations that they both release and perform live. Their song "Pyaasi" (The Thirsty) features the voice of Shubha Mudgal,[50] with whom they also went on to co-write the song 'Duur Kinara'.[51] They collaborated with Lebanese garage-blues act The Wanton Bishops to create a music video for their song 'Lay it on Me'.[52] They re-versioned Ekla Chalo Re, Rabindranath Tagore's iconic song.[53] They were a part of the global Power to the People project, bringing their Indian folk style to the international collaboration. Various artistes joined the band as guests in performances, notably saxophonist David Moskowicz of Lyons, France and Tavil player Raja of Bull Temple Road, Bangalore. Such varied instruments gave the band a sound unlike any other, while bringing together musicians from backgrounds so diverse that they could not converse with each other, not having a common language.[54] Noted Indian pop-rock singer Rabbi Shergill also joined Swarathma on stage at the Nokia Music Connects Conference in September 2009.[55]

TV appearances

On 31 August 2008, Swarathma were featured in an NDTV India talk show called Salaam Zindagi, that featured well-known Indian bands like Parikrama and Indian Ocean. Swarathma spoke of their journey and plans for the future.[56]

In early October 2008, Swarathma travelled to Singapore to perform at a pan-Asian talent showcase called Sutasi.[57] Along with six other Indian acts, Swarathma shared the stage with bands, artists and songwriters from all over Asia.[58] The reality series aired on Zee Cafe in India, and in Sri Lanka and South Korea in June–August 2009.[59]

On 27 November 2011, Swarathma featured in the 7th episode of the Star World India series The Dewarists, collaborating with noted Hindustani classical music singer Shubha Mudgal. Together, they produced a track titled "Duur Kinara".

In August 2014, they were featured on Fox Life's SoundTrek, season 2.[60]

In February 2016, the band was featured on MTV Unplugged, season 5.[61]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Swarathma. 10 March 2010. 31 March 2015. Rolling Stone India.
  2. Web site: Working Class Heroes. 15 May 2012. 31 March 2015. Rolling Stone India.
  3. Web site: Swarathma sweeps JD Rock Awards 2010. 6 February 2010. 31 March 2015. RadioandMusic.
  4. Web site: SWARATHMA LAUNCHES SECOND ALBUM TOPIWALLEH. 16 May 2012. 31 March 2015. ThisWeekBangalore.
  5. Web site: Swarathma. 16 May 2012. 31 March 2015. OKLISTEN.com.
  6. News: Most popular fusion bands in India. 2016-11-04.
  7. Web site: Folk Fusion like never before! . 20 September 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Indian Music Industry Newsletter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090923004115/http://www.indianmusictalks.com/Swarathma.html . 23 September 2009 .
  8. Web site: City Quakes to Rock Waves. 20 March 2006. 20 March 2008. Deccan Herald.
  9. Mehrotra . Palash . Underground Pleasure . Rolling Stone India . 1 . 26 . March 2008.
  10. Web site: bodhiTree . 20 March 2008 . Jam Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20080313060048/http://www.jammag.com/rock/show_rock.php?article_id=66 . 13 March 2008 . dead.
  11. News: Talent from Mysore to rock Yuva Dasara on Monday. https://web.archive.org/web/20071013052429/http://hindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101250170200.htm. dead. 13 October 2007. 12 October 2007. 20 March 2008. The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  12. News: Mysore ready to host Dasara festivities. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026131737/http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/04/stories/2007100457140300.htm. dead. 26 October 2012. 4 October 2007. 20 March 2008. The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  13. Web site: Indian Rock: Coming of Age?. 6 March 2007. 20 March 2008. Rediff News.
  14. Web site: Indian Rock Awards, 2008 . 13 February 2008 . 20 March 2008 . Music Ballroom . https://web.archive.org/web/20080401112508/http://www.india.musicballroom.com/Alternative/Indian_Rock_Awards_2008/ . 1 April 2008 . dead.
  15. Web site: Fireflies Festival of Music February 23rd, A Dusk to Dawn Music Festival . 19 February 2008 . 20 March 2008 . World Music Central . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214419/http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/fireflies_festival_of_music_bangalore_08 . 17 May 2008 . dead.
  16. Web site: RC Live. 20 March 2008. Radio City.
  17. Web site: Radio City launches RC Live to search for India's best Hindi band. 30 January 2008. 20 March 2008. Indiantelevision.com.
  18. Web site: Swarathma and Ek are RC Live's Bangalore Regional Finalists. 24 February 2008. 20 March 2008. Indiantelevision.com.
  19. Web site: Swarathma and Ek are RC Live's Bangalore Regional Finalists. 24 February 2008. 20 March 2008. AgencyFAQs.
  20. Web site: Crowned best Hindi band, Swarathma focussing on first album. 7 March 2008. 20 March 2008. Yahoo India News.
  21. News: Uncertain, with Reason. https://web.archive.org/web/20080318184259/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/03/14/stories/2008031450370400.htm. dead. 18 March 2008. 14 March 2008. 20 March 2008. The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  22. Web site: Interview with Swarathma's Jishnu Dasgupta . 31 March 2008 . 2 April 2008 . Radio And Music . https://web.archive.org/web/20080512222522/http://www.radioandmusic.com/headlines/y2k8/mar/31mar/swarathma_interview.php . 12 May 2008 . dead.
  23. Web site: Radio City 91.1 FM declares Swarathma winner of RC Live. 29 February 2008. 20 March 2008. AgencyFAQs.
  24. Web site: Crowned best Hindi band, Swarathma focussing on first album. https://web.archive.org/web/20080310144842/http://www.indiaenews.com/bollywood/20080307/102571.htm. usurped. 10 March 2008. 7 March 2008. 20 March 2008. India eNews.
  25. Web site: Swarathma crowned best Hindi band . 9 March 2008 . 20 March 2008 . newindpress.
  26. Web site: In Studio with Swarathma. https://archive.today/20111005153447/http://www.dc-epaper.com/dc/dcc/2008/08/09/ArticleHtmls/09_08_2008_117_002.shtml. dead. 5 October 2011. 8 August 2008. 7 September 2008. Asian Age.
  27. James . Bobin . Folking it Up . Rolling Stone India . 11 . 113 . February 2009.
  28. Mehrotra . Palash . Folking it Up . Rolling Stone India . 11 . 80 . February 2009.
  29. Web site: Swarathma on Tour: Day 2 – The 'Once in a Blue Moon' Show . 10 January 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Indiecision Music Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20090918191211/http://www.indiecision.com/2009/01/10/swarathma-on-tour-day-2-2/ . 18 September 2009 . dead.
  30. Web site: The Spirited Six . 7 August 2008 . 7 September 2008 . The Hindu . https://web.archive.org/web/20090603010757/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2008/08/11/stories/2008081151290300.htm . 3 June 2009 . usurped.
  31. Web site: John Leckie . 26 May 2008 . 18 October 2008 . The Daily Music Guide . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075825/http://www.dailymusicguide.com/Interviews/john-leckie-india-soundpad-26052009-1816.aspx . 8 June 2009.
  32. Web site: Sound Impact . 25 October 2008 . 28 October 2008 . ExpressIndia.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120914151552/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/sound-impact/377790/ . 14 September 2012 . dead.
  33. Web site: Soundpad . 1 May 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Rolling Stone Magazine.
  34. Web site: Music Alliance Pact September 2009 . 1 September 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Indiecision Music Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20090926075847/http://www.indiecision.com/2009/09/16/music-alliance-pact-september-2009/ . 26 September 2009 . dead.
  35. News: High hopes for India's rock scene. 20 May 2009. 18 October 2009. BBC News. Ian. Youngs.
  36. Web site: India Soundpad, At The Great Escape, Interview with Swarathma . 20 May 2009 . 18 October 2009 . 4 The Record Magazine . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091018042123/http://www.4ortherecord.com/India-Soundpad-At-The-Great-Escape.html . 18 October 2009.
  37. Web site: The Great Escape 2009: NYC bands go to the British seaside . 18 May 2009 . 18 October 2009 . TimeOut Magazine, New York . https://web.archive.org/web/20091107094853/http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/thevolume/2009/05/the-great-escape-2009-nyc-bands-go-to-the-british-seaside/ . 7 November 2009 . dead.
  38. Web site: Beyond the invisible arch part 1 (Great Escape and more, 13-15/5) . 18 May 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Up The Down Escalator: Music Blog . https://archive.today/20121203220904/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=59983142&blogId=489977564 . 3 December 2012 . dead.
  39. Web site: Swarathma: Working Class Heroes - Rolling Stone India. rollingstoneindia.com. 15 May 2012 . 2016-11-04.
  40. News: Can the Indian Ocean band survive? - Times of India. The Times of India. 2016-11-04.
  41. Web site: A Spirited Show from the Fusion Kings . 16 March 2009 . 22 March 2009 . Bangalore Mirror . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707212854/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=10&contentid=2009031620090316010626954599e5a39 . 7 July 2011 . dead.
  42. Web site: Swarathma Comes to Chennai . 1 April 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Express Buzz.
  43. Web site: Playing for the Village. 4 March 2009. 18 October 2009. Swarathma Blog.
  44. Web site: The Loveliest Girls in the World. 19 March 2009. 18 October 2009. Swarathma Blog.
  45. Web site: Live: Solar Punch, Rosemary, Swarathma @ Climate Solutions, Bandra Amphitheatre . 22 January 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Indiecision Music Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20100123161029/http://www.indiecision.com/2009/01/22/live-solar-punch-rosemary-swarathma-climate-solutions-bandra-amphitheatre/ . 23 January 2010 . dead.
  46. News: An offline Twitter affair, for a cause. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025044623/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-10/bangalore/28068810_1_bangalore-event-coordinator-twestivals-twitter-festival. dead. 25 October 2012. 10 September 2009. 18 October 2009. B Pradeep. The Times of India. Nair.
  47. Web site: Better Living Through Twitter?. 17 September 2009. 18 October 2009. BBC Pods and Blogs.
  48. Web site: Swarathma joins 'Greenidol' Bandwagon . 27 June 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Green Idol . https://web.archive.org/web/20090916094413/http://www.greenidol.in/node/65180 . 16 September 2009 . dead.
  49. Web site: Swarathma start action replay gig series . 5 January 2010 . 9 January 2010 . Green Idol . https://web.archive.org/web/20100108154007/http://www.indiecision.com/2010/01/05/swarathma-start-action-replay-gig-series/ . 8 January 2010 . dead.
  50. News: "It's great to earn money from something you love": Navya P K - Citizen Matters, Bangalore News. 2016-11-04.
  51. News: Creative people never tune out: Shubha Mudgal Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis. 2011-12-18. dna. en-US. 2016-11-04.
  52. News: Swarathma jams with The Wanton Bishops - Times of India. The Times of India. 2016-11-04.
  53. News: Journeys: in song. Bhattacharya. Budhaditya. 2014-08-29. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-11-04.
  54. Web site: Musicians Sans Frontiers . 24 January 2008 . 20 March 2008 . Citizenmatters.in . https://archive.today/20130217222900/http://citizenmatters.in/articles/view/61-musicians-sans-frontiers . 17 February 2013 . dead.
  55. Web site: Pics: Advaita, Swarathma @ Taj Lands End . 24 September 2008 . 18 October 2008 . Indiecision Music Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20090926075356/http://www.indiecision.com/2009/09/24/pics-advaita-swarathma-taj-lands-end/ . 26 September 2009 . dead.
  56. Web site: Life and Times of Bands . September 2008 . 6 September 2008 . NDTV.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20120221231148/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/SZgallery4.asp?txtclr=&bgclr=&imgid=2394&img=5 . 21 February 2012 . dead.
  57. Web site: Swarathma heads to Singapore for Sutasi. 1 October 2008. 28 October 2008. Radioandmusic.com.
  58. Web site: Mutual Admiration ruled at Sutasi. 19 October 2008. 28 October 2008. The Asian Age.
  59. Web site: Sutasi To Be Broadcast on Zee Cafe . 23 June 2009 . 18 October 2009 . Indiecision Music Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20090903040823/http://www.indiecision.com/2009/06/23/sutasi-to-be-broadcast-on-zee-cafe/ . 3 September 2009 . dead.
  60. Web site: Fox Life is back with Soundtrek 2nd season Best Media Info, News and Analysis on Indian Advertising, Marketing and Media Industry.. www.bestmediainfo.com. 2016-11-04.
  61. Web site: Royal Stag Barrel Select MTV Unplugged reaches Odisha capital Bhubaneswar with superlative Harshdeep Kaur, Odisha Current News, Odisha Latest Headlines. orissadiary.com. 2016-11-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20161105032023/http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=65122. 5 November 2016. dead.

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