From Megadeth to Miley Cyrus

Some people have lives; some people have music.” This quote by author John Green perfectly sums up the real “life” of musicians.

Being invaded by a passion so pure, is nothing less of a gift. Musicians toil hard to make their voices reach the ears of the world, and yet it doesn’t seem like work, it’s as necessary and effortless to them
as breathing.

Metrolife came across some members of the musician tribe at Hemzi’s buzz, which is located at the North Campus, Kingsway Camp. It’s an underground hub for live music, held every Saturday evening. The band called ‘Snake and the Ladder’ performed their debut gig and enthralled the audience with their very first show. Karuna, a hard core music lover and a musician herself, tells Metrolife, “It was mind blowing. I loved the performance to the core.” Also, Arpit, the photographer at the event commented that it had been hard holding still the camera, while tapping feet to the groovy music.

Snake and the Ladder is a heady mix of all that is sweet and spicy, with an edgy energetic topping. The six-piece pack will lull the senses with slick covers from smooth favourites like Nora Jones and Maroon 5, and will then jerk you awake with a double whammy of Michael Jackson and Megadeth. To cut a long story short, there is something for everyone.

The peculiar name of the band ignites curiosity in the mind of anyone who comes across it. On being asked about it, Hemzi tells Metrolife, “First of all I was looking for uniqueness. Secondly, a name which could go along with any genre of music we play. Thirdly, on a philosophical note...life is a game of snakes and ladders; various things try to pull you down but one should keep climbing till they’ve won the game. That is our spirit, and should be everyone’s too.”

The band comprises six members with Hemzi at the bass guitar, Pallavi being the lead vocalist, Lakshay at the drums, Christopher as the lead guitarist, Pushkar at the keyboard and Ushmeet as the backing vocalist. While the band is just a month old, it has had a rewarding response from the audience and is in touch with some of the prestigious venues to line up their gigs including Hard Rock Cafe and upcoming music festivals. The band also aims to come up with an extended play by the end of this month.

“The band is multi-genre and yet streaked with originality in a way. It has been an enjoyable journey so far being a part of Snake and the Ladder,” Lakshay tells Metrolife. The quirky title of ‘From Megadeth to Miley Cyrus’ on the band’s Facebook page tells us that their talent is extended to each of the faraway lands of music.

When asked what keeps their band together, apart from the love of music and the other interests of the members, Hemzi says sharply, “We are full time musicians. Some of us teach music. We don’t have time for anything else.” Seems like John Green knows well the real life of a musician!