They are two surprises in a single package. ‘Sulk Station’, the down-tempo electronic duo is one of the few sonic ensembles outside the mainstream circle, who are worth a second listen.
Formed in 2009 by Tanvi Rao and Rahul Giri, the trip-hop, funky two’s live performances and albums have instantly attracted an urban, up-market crowd ever since their inception.
The concoction of melodies, from trippy-hippie to contemporary electronic music with traces of Hindustani classical elements, has enthralled fans across borders and their biggest followers are young college-goers.
‘Sulk Station’ easily tops the charts thanks to the melancholic, soothing vocals of Tanvi and minimal beats by Rahul.
The meaningful lyrics come from the heart of the songwriters and are an inspiration to upcoming bands.
Rahul says, “We don’t think in terms of what the audience should take home after listening to our music or the emotion we want them to experience from our songs. It is about producing a good gig on that day and having a good time with the audience.”
The duo are now on a break after a few power-packed gigs in Kolkata. Until now, their fans kept humming ‘Till you Appear’, ‘Sulk Station’’s debut album.
Bringing in a breath of fresh air in terms of their line-up, Rahul adds that the two find it difficult arranging songs and harmonies during live performances’.
Rahul adds, “In such cases, an artiste backs Tanvi or there is a harmoniser. However, we don’t face this challenge while recording.”
A talent house in presenting a salad bowl to audience, Rahul says that fusion seems to be a genre of the past rather than the future as there is a certain amount of “cheesiness associated with fusion music”.
“It is one form that is easily sold and people outside the music industry can connect with it, especially if it has certain Hindi elements,” Rahul adds.
Unlike bands, which appear like bolts of lightning while in college, and wither away soon after, ‘Sulk Station’ is here to stay.
Rahul adds that the sound song-writing and the connect with the audience will help the band sustain.
“To help build a connect is difficult as it’s a very subjective art form. We have to write music for ourselves and then hope that others take to it as there is no given formula, apart fromcommercial music, for a set to work.”
Yet, he is happy with the way music is progressing in the City. He finds enormous output here, especially in the fact that more bands are coming up. Sometimes, less is surely more and ‘Sulk Station’ is a proof of that.