NEWS   Sad to hear of my friend and part-time band mate IVAN YATES' passing. May his soul Rest in Peace.
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play lo-fi play hi-fi  A voice that is strong
play lo-fi play hi-fi  Tailspin
play lo-fi play hi-fi  Jesus, Mary & Joseph
play lo-fi play hi-fi  Five loaves of bread
play lo-fi play hi-fi  Feel HIs Presence
play lo-fi play hi-fi  The Hand of God
play lo-fi play hi-fi  Hidden in my bones
play lo-fi play hi-fi  When? Where? How?
play lo-fi play hi-fi  The time is here
play lo-fi play hi-fi  On that loaded line
I'm basically a guitarist and singer.Then I write my own songs on anything I find appealing and interesting.I teach kids and adults to play guitar using an informal method and make music for ads and short films too.I sometimes move over to the instrument I fancied first...bass guitar,and accompany choral and theatre productions.
Why this name?
that's what my friends call me..
Do you play live?
Right now,it's just gigs and studio work.My last stint was as guitarist with 'Pink Champagne' at a restaurant in Bangalore.It was good playing every night to an audience that demands a wide repertoire.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It's a superb medium for getting your stuff known around the world.Of course there's violation of copyrights and all that,but that can happen anywhere.The net is a great showcase to the world.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Well yes...if I got a good deal and good terms.
Band History:
I started as a tenor in the school choir.Then SKWAREMATRIX, the first rock n roll band in the history of the school was formed, and my stage fright became a thing of the past.Later,friends from church choirs came together in REFLECTIONS which featured on local radio regularly between 1991 and 1996.
Association with the top dance band of the eighties The West Wind led me to a band called WILD ORCHIDS on guitars and vocals. Two months later MILESTONE was born with myself heading affairs at nineteen. MILESTONE went on to top the dance bands in Bangalore entertaining corporate clientele as well as being a household name in club circles. Performances all over the South earned us the reputation of being the most accommodating band around. After MILESTONE disbanded in 2001, the Mandarin Room, Hotel Ashok, beckoned again and until mid 2003, I was guitarist / vocalist for PINK CHAMPAGNE .Later in 2003 a team up with old bandmates and friends resulted in KHROME which was essentially a retro outfit. I was back with Pink Champagne from Dec '04 till Feb '08
Your influences?
I like something that has life in it...there has to be feel in a song...in the lyrics,the vocals...everything. I'd rather listen to a simple 3-chord thing than a virtuoso rambling up and down his instrument.Mark Knopfler,Neil Diamond,Clapton,Gary Moore,Joe Satriani....they've all given me food for thought.I'd never close my mind to checking out new stuff and finding something I could identify with.I like new sounds and bands like Bowling for soup, Nickelback,Jason Mraz, Bruce Springsteen....
Favorite spot?
I haven't travelled out of India,but out here I like Mumbai,Goa and Mangalore besides my hometown Bangalore.Very receptive audiences all over.
Equipment used:
I've settled with a Fender Strat,a Boss GT6 and Stranger nightingale amp for now.I also own a Samick,Yamaha and Reynold acoustic guitars.Thanks to great friends,I also have a Fender Tele and a Fender 5-string bass in my custody.
Anything else...?
I recorded and released LESSONS- A TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, in 2004; dedicated to some great teachers of St.Josephs Boys High School and The Frank Anthony Public School.
In 2005 I released electric renditions of traditional carols on an album titled 'PICKIN AT CHRISTMAS'. 'MOMENTS WITH GOD'-everyday hymns on electric guitar went out in May 2006.
FEEL HIS PRESENCE- an album of Christian music has all my own compositions.
The latest record out is MOMENTS WITH OUR BLESSED MOTHER - guitar renditions of Marian hymns.
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