JOIN USThe name ‘Donn Bhat’ might ring a familiar tone amongst all those who are ardent followers of the electronica music scene.
For others, here is a quick rundown. Donn Bhat is a music composer, producer, songwriter and guitar player. In the past he’s written, produced and played for the bands ‘Friday The13th’ and ‘Orange Street’ both of which won the Great Indian Rock competition in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Eventually, after an extensive tour of Europe, Donn produced his first solo album ‘One Way Circle’ in 2006. His new album, ‘Connected’, which has a unique mix of sounds ranging from the ‘sarangi’ and Tibetan bowls to the electric guitar and electronica, has been well received by critics and fans alike.
Taking time off from his musical tour for promoting the album along with his band, ‘Donn Bhat + Passenger Revelator’, the live electronica producer talks to Rajitha Menon about his journey in the world of sounds.
How did your association with music begin?
Music was always played in my house. My dad taught English literature but he would listen to a lot of ‘qawwali’ at home while my mom would be listening to ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Carpenters’. We had this stereo system with two decks and I used to record a lot of radio on tape to listen to. I still remember playing the solo for ‘Stairway to heaven’ on that stereo to my parents over and over again; saying in awe, “Can you believe what you’re hearing?”
How would you describe your music?
It’s hard for me to describe it but in technical terms — it’s basically an exploration in electronic and acoustic sounds put together in a song-based format. It has influences from rock, folk, electronica, ambient music but at the same time is lyrically driven.
What is the audience for electronica in India like?
Most people in India associate electronica with EDM which is just one form of it. The way EDM has grown with a certain audience is quite staggering though personally I find most of it quite formulaic and dumbed down for mass consumption. Even though there is huge demand for it in the country, the artistes are not really pushing boundaries which is what the best electronica artistes across the world are doing.
Going for gigs has become a status symbol among the youth. How do you recognise true music lovers?
(Laughs) I guess the ones who are there for the music will be listening and the ones for the status will be clicking selfies or something. But the fun part for me lies in getting through to someone who one least expects to be interested in the music.
Among all the instruments that you have incorporated in your songs so far, which is the one you would love to play and why?
The guitar was my first instrument so a lot of previous music was centered around that. But the instrument I would love to play live would be the xylophone. I had recorded it for the last album ‘Passenger Revelator’ and had carried one to Bengaluru for our last outing. Though I don’t carry it anymore, simply because it weighs a ton – we called it hernia – but it would probably be fun to play because it’s like a new toy for me and I like how its melodic and rhythmic at the same time.
How necessary are visuals for a musical gig?
They’re not ‘necessary’ but they can be used to make the experience more nuanced and the songs more meaningful. Especially if the music is not just ‘party music’ but has spaces in itself for interpretation, then playing with visuals can transform the live experience into a very powerful one.
If you could go back in time, which is the one gig you would want to perform again and why?
That would probably be Glastonbury 2015 — because its Glastonbury, and I would love to catch all the other bands there!
If you weren’t a musician...
If not a musician…then I would probably be a professional siesta taker. Or a farmer growing some herbs. I don’t know really but I’ll figure it out.
(‘Donn Bhat + Passenger Revelator’ will play at The Humming Tree on October 28.)