• Fri, Mar 29, 2024
Features

Emerging Artists of 2013

features Dec 31, 04:22pm

It’s been a good year for young bands, with crowds far more receptive to new artists – young and old alike – and promoters also taking punts on these new bands. Plus, with the internet and Bandcamp and Soundcloud allowing anyone with an internet connection to upload new music, the opportunities for musicians to be heard, reach out, and get attention have naturally increased. So yeah, it’s not all gloomy, even if the weather here in Delhi really is.  

 

DONN BHAT + PASSENGER REVELATOR




Donn Bhat’s self-imposed hiatus after the release of 2006’s One Way Circle is bound make him a new discovery for most audiences; but the Mumbai-based producer/songwriter/guitar-player has shot out of his sabbatical with a shower of singles under the moniker of Donn Bhat + Passenger Revelator, and a live band. His rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities are all but buried as the guitar continues to be a much-favoured voice in his repertoire as he fuses alternative rock and electronica to write songs that are unmistakably coated with soul. Dance music one minute, arena-rock the moment he cranks out those riffs, Donn Bhat + Passenger Revelator have promised us an album and more live showings. Looks like Donn’s not going to go Sherlock on us this time. Shomi Gupta


Listen to 'Stars Align' by Donn Bhat + Passenger Revelator below:

  1071_20130905093852_attachment.mp3

 

TAJDAR JUNAID


(Photo by Jelena Cvjetkovic)

What Colour is your Raindrop is, in essence, a very pure medium of communication, delivered with searing integrity and sincerity.  Tajdar Junaid’s live sets are much the same – low on gimmicks and frills and high on intensity; it’s five (or six or seven) guys playing music they truly believe in with conviction, earnestness, and a disarming honesty. The virtuosic Kolkata-based multi-instrumentalist/composer has been around for a while, and he has cultivated a moody, emotional style of writing that, quite endearingly, people in this country and beyond are taking notice of.  He’s this writer’s artist of the year, and really, we’re all waiting with baited breath for what lies ahead. Akhil Sood     
     

 

HOIRONG



If it was up to me, this one would be at the top of every Album of the Year list in the country. Hoirong is the solo project of former Lounge Piranha guitarist/vocalist Kamal Singh. His debut record, The Resurrection of the Princess of Woe and her Vampire Hound Posse – recorded with a laptop mic and a pirated copy of Logic Pro (Editor: “allegedly”) – is a masterpiece in lo-fi. Singh pays tribute to the ugly, sludgy side of ’90s alt-rock but beneath all the dense, harsh noise and raw, menacing riffs are some absolutely beautiful melodies. Add in Singh's witty, reference-laden lyrics and his very distinct sense of humour and have what is easily India's best punk act since Messiah. Bhanuj Kappal

 

 

FRAME/FRAME


(Photo by Sachin Soni)

Frame/Frame’s debut EP, Swimmers. is a mere 19 minutes long but a curiosity-piquing sample of the potential that lurks behind producer Nikhil Kaul/Nikhil Kaul’s (okay last time, promise) left-of-centre sensibilities. United at the seams by a bass-heavy spine, Swimmers leafs across passages of trip-hop, glitch and some immaculate sound design crafted from the unlikeliest of sample sources. Despite the comparisons to Amon Tobin or Rusko, it’s the urban-melancholia themed standout ballad ‘Pastels’ that’s gathered the most hoots (and YouTube views for a sublime video); and with a live band and a busy year-end to boot we’re expecting more from this producer in 2014. Shomi Gupta

 

 

NISCHAY PAREKH


(Photo by Naman Saraiya)

Pop music is not a dirty word. It’s not supposed to be. And every now and then, we need reassurances about that. Nischay Parekh, all of 20, brought that aphorism to life with a charming debut album – titled Ocean – that nurtures a catchy, melodic core to fruition. It’s a carefully constructed approach that meshes clever hooks with an ear for arrangement. Indeed, it reaches spaces that are cheesy – cheery terrains that get too cheery, you know? – but acting as a counterpoint is a spirit of experimentation behind the music, lending it depth and substance. It is feel-good music that translates into a feel-good vibe live, which happened often as Nischay Parekh and his band performed heavily through the year, reaching out to (and mostly enthralling) a wide audience. What’s more – writing for the second album is already underway, so 2014 promises much of the same and more for Nischay Parekh. Akhil Sood

 

 

NOTABLE MENTIONS

Until We Last, the post-rockers from Bangalore, are seemingly at the forefront of this vague little post-rock movement that seems to be taking shape in the country. They had a fairly promising year, playing loads of gigs and doing a darn good job of communicating their vision through to audiences with a moving and well-performed live set. Space behind the Yellow Room and A Mutual Question, also belonging in a similar space, took their bows this year to a reasonably appreciative audience.

Then there’s Lifafa and Jamblu, from the absurdist Peter Cat Recording Co. camp . The two “solo/side projects” of the band members tread experimental, ambient spaces with restraint. SundogProject released their mammoth debut album – Hex1/Visions – which explores unheard of (in India) terrains and they’re slowly managing their complicated live setup as well, and they’re definitely ones to watch out for. Then there’s Polar Lights, who play contemporary pop-rock, leaning towards pop really, and have this very keen sensibility, crafting really catchy earworms. Big City Harmonics, the Pune-based electro-producer, also garnered reasonable attention with his debut release, Foreward, that settles in in that smooth, mid-tempo range of chill-out-and-lie-around music.

 

Facebook twitter Google Plus Pinterest
Trending
Connect

Leave a comment

Recommended Stories

Best Indian Metal Albums - 2013

Though 2013 abounded in gigs, it was a pretty low-key year for Indian metal bands as far as album releases went. Quite a few promised albums never dropped for various reasons, the ones that did oscillated between ho-hum and downright unlistenable, and much of the year was given to bitching and moaning about the state of the scene. It wasn’t all that bleak, however; there were a few notable releases that made the top lists this year.

Dec 30, 2013 

By Deepti Unni  

The Bacardi NH7 Weekender - NCR, Nov 30 - Dec 1

The Bacardi NH7 Weekender hit Greater Noida again this year for the NCR edition of the festival. Meshuggah, Nucleya, Mutemath, Scribe, And So I Watch You From Afar, the lineup had it all. The festival also had hot air balloons, gallons of alcohol, a Ferris Wheel, and so much more. Akhil Sood with the full report. Click here for stray observations from the festival.

 

Dec 09, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

The Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2013 - Pune, October 18-20

Buckets of alcohol, crumbling ATM machines inside old, old vans, bands playing on top of a bus, the curious incident of the missing bread, "All Star" jams - The Pune edition of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2013 had it all, or most of it, really. Akhil Sood writes. 

Oct 23, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

Introducing: The Dreamy, Experimental Pop Musings of Nischay Parekh and the Ocean Orchestra

Nischay Parekh has quickly garnered a large fanbase following the release of his debut record, Ocean, an optimistic and pleasant collection of delightful pop tunes driven forth by a perceptive aesthetic of melody, dynamics, and progression. We caught up with the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer for a short chat about his songwriting, the process of setting up a tent in his room during recording, and current and future plans.  

 

Oct 21, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

Things I Learned at the Ziro Festival of Music 2013 - I

Bhanuj Kappal went to the beautiful valley of Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, for the second edition of the Ziro Festival of Music, featuring a host of indie acts from the country, as well as a visit by Lee Ranaldo and The Dust, which has Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley (formerly of Sonic Youth!). He came back a changed man, and has jotted down a comprehensive list of things he learned at the festival. (Part II here.)

Oct 18, 2013 

 

Introducing: Invigorate Seed with their Debut Single, 'Vanity'

Invigorate Seed is an exciting young band from Jorhat, Assam that writes progressive/metalcore music packed to the brim with a thundering intensity. Oh, and they're all still teenagers. They have released their first official single, titled 'Vanity', with RSJ. Learn more about them below.

Oct 14, 2013 

By RSJ Staff  

Lucky 7: Stupid Ditties - An Ennui.Bomb Compilation

A review of Lucky 7: Stupid Ditties, an Ennui.Bomb Compilation.

Oct 10, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

Frame/Frame: New EP, Field Sounds, Pastels, and Creed

Inch by inch, Frame/Frame has been making waves within the indie community with his bouncy live act and the release of his new EP, Swimmers, accompanied by a music video for 'Pastels'. Here, he talks to Shomi Gupta about the album, the video, playing live "bangers", and recording the flush in his toilet, of course.

Oct 09, 2013 

By Shomi Gupta  

SundogProject - Hex 1/Visions

(Artwork by Rahul Das) AKHIL SOOD Forget about the novelty for a second here – yes, it’s

Oct 07, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

A Mutual Question - Eyes Everywhere

A review of Eyes Everywhere by A Mutual Question. 

Sep 20, 2013 

 

Bomb.Thursdays at Kino 108 with a Post-Rock Twist

We've covered Bomb.Thursdays at Kino 108 manymany times before in the past, so what's one more. Our man Akhil Sood was there to witness a brilliant gig where the music took centre-stage and a different-ish line-up really worked in the soft, intimate confines of the venue. Read on for more.

Sep 16, 2013 

 

Tajdar Junaid - What Colour Is Your Raindrop

SAMAR GREWAL For all the calming, balm-like work it will do on your soul, Tajdar Junaid's

Sep 07, 2013 

By Samar Grewal  

Passenger Revelator Release New Single Titled 'Stars Align'

RSJ STAFF Passenger Revelator is an eclectic band formed by guitar player/producer Donn Bhat, who has previously been part of seminal acts such as

Sep 05, 2013 

 

Spud in the Box - Attention Please

AKHIL SOOD A cheesy, nasal introduction to album opener 'Lens Life' suddenly metamorphoses into a spectacularly

Mar 27, 2013 

 

Lifafa - Lifafa I

A review of Lifafa I by Lifafa.

Mar 07, 2013 

By Akhil Sood  

Top RSJOnline Stories of 2012

RSJ STAFF This July, we racked our brains and relaunched RSJ's online editorial wing, aka RSJOnline, aka the website you're at currently. We also got a brand

Dec 28, 2012