They are greenhorns in the music field but this five-member band is already turning many people green with envy with their track record. ‘Zehen’, comprising of Ashley, David, Tanushree, Antony and Naresh, is an experimental groove band playing a mix of all kinds of music.
Crediting ‘Guitar Club’ for giving them a boost initially, the now-busy band talks to Rajitha Menon about their life on and off stage.
Tell us about ‘Zehen’.
Tanushree: It all started when Ashley and I met in 2014 to work on a project. We realised we had common ground in music and thought about forming a band. Naresh came on board after that and now that we have got David and Antony too, ‘Zehen’s’ sound is complete.
Ashley: We had all played with different bands earlier and we wanted to combine all that experience and bring a different sound into Bengaluru’s musical scene. Tanu had the interesting idea of fusing Hindi and English songs and when we played that, it sounded crazy!
Naresh: The sound of our band is a combination of the different experiences we have had in the field of music and the different elements we have incorporated from our trysts in various bands.
What has been your most interesting gig so far?
Tanushree: It has to be the one in Hard Rock Cafe on Diwali day. The crowd was a little less but the ones who were there, more than made up for it with their excitement. So we had people dressed in kurtas and lehengas jiving to our songs and generally having a gala time.
Ashley: We brought the fireworks inside! (laughs)
Naresh: Our earlier gig at Bangalore Brew Works was also insane. The audience got so excited they almost came on stage. We were literally sharing the stage with more than a 100 people.
What are your thoughts about the music scene here?
Naresh: I think there are different flavours for each season. Folk music, indie, rock — it keeps changing. A band should stick to playing what they love but should realise the fact that the audience’s tastes keep changing and adapt accordingly.
What are your own musical preferences?
Tanushree: Mine would be really generic. I love listening to Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi; the Bollywood songs of the 80s and 90s, remixes of really old school film songs...And yes, the band ‘Parvaaz’. I am a huge fan of theirs.
Ashley: I have, and always will be, a hard core rock ‘n’ roll fan. I listen to everything under this type of music.
Naresh: Progressive rock. But lately, I have started listening to jazz, blues and commercial music for the learning factor.
Someone you would love to share the stage with?
Tanushree: As long as I am wishing...Beyonce! Or Tori Kelly. She is an upcoming sensation and I love her work.
Ashley: I am a big Bon Jovi fan and to perform with them would be heaven.
Naresh: I have already performed with some big names like Iron Maiden, Mr Big and Meshuggah with my previous bands. But for Zehen, it will be great to work with Sia. Because Tanu loves dancing.
Ashley: Yes and we all just go with what Tanu likes.
What are the challenges you have faced while taking to music?
Tanushree: I have a full-time job that I really enjoy but music is my passion. So to balance these two interests can be really physically exhausting sometimes.
Ashley: I have always been associated with music, both as a teacher and a performer, so I have not really faced many problems.
Naresh: Our biggest challenge is ordering food after a practice session. We can never make up our mind and by the time we do decide, the restaurants are almost closing.
(‘Zehen’ will perform at Bak Bak Bar on November 12)