JOIN USBy the rivers of Teesta...
It’s not easy to stumble upon a band, which swings back to the ‘80s and ‘90s through its vintage influences, even as it produces music that is like a breath of fresh air. ‘River Man Band’ offers a sonic treat to those who love modern day music with a classic, old touch. A motely five-member crew which came together last year, offer the people of Bengaluru just what they love, through their high-spirited energy and a range of inspirations from classic melodies of genres such as funk, soul, motown, R&B, disco and reggae.
The band comprises Luke Pattison on bass guitar, Wesley Newton on drums and percussion, Osi Gomango on acoustic guitar and lead vocals (and who is also the main composer), Jerusha Verghese on lead vocals and Nisha Idicula on backing vocals.
The story starts back in the bubbling Teesta river, where Luke and his brother Dwight spent Dwight’s last few days. The latter left behind a number of compositions that were yet to be presented. Luke says, “Dwight was the ‘River Man’ for me. Like a river that flows from the mountain to the sea, Dwight flowed with every thought, venture and relationship, through the highs and lows of life. He had a list of original songs, with the album heading, ‘Songs by the River’. This will be the name of Dwight’s Album,” says Luke. The band now wishes to present original music along with a few compositions by Dwight.
They have played at Bengaluru’s favourite hangouts. The band choruses, “Every gig had its own relevance and importance , thus making them all memorable, where each one has its own ebb and flow.” As they are less than a year old, the band believes that they have a lot more to be experienced and learn at this juncture. Luke says, “The biggest takeaway for our listeners is the song. We hope that we have done enough justice to the song for our audience to leave our gigs at least humming the melody, and in time, singing the songs. This is what we would like our listeners to identify as ‘The RMB (River Man Band) Sound’. Each one gives credit to the other, which is what strikes a humble chord that will keep this ensemble going.