An original twist

Band chronicles

As far as catchy names go, ‘Napoleon’s Subwoofer’ is somewhere on the top. But it is not just the name that sets them apart. Even though they are a fairly new band in the music circuit, their music has already created the right noises.

Playing a variety of genres like rock, pop, funk and even Bollywood, the members comprise Nikhila on vocals, Kishan on guitar, Siddharth on keyboard, Sudarshan on bass and Puneet on drums. The band talks to Rajitha Menon about their initial days and the music that influences them.

Tell us a bit about the musical journey of the group till now.

Kishan: We met at a music school — Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music. We have been working a lot on our material and we played at a couple of shows (mostly at private parties and weddings) so as to improve the finer aspects of our set before officially launching the band.

How do you describe your music?

Nikhila: Super meticulous to the point of paranoia. Right now our set is comprised entirely of covers but the idea is to incorporate music from different eras and styles coupled with intense rearrangements by us. Bluntly put, every song we play has our own twist to it.

What are the favourite genres of all the members?

Nikhila: We listen to almost anything and everything, notably rock, jazz, soul, funk, metal, Carnatic, Western classical and more. Personally, I go crazy over RnB, soul and jazz.

Kishan: I guess I am quite old school because I love listening to rock, alternative, funk and glam.

Puneet: Siddharth and I are heavily influenced by progressive rock, Steven Wilson and the likes.

Sudarshan: I listen to a lot of jazz, Western classical and funk.

What is the story behind the name of the band?

Siddharth: It is quite a long story but the short form may not be very explanatory (laughs). In a nutshell, it evolved from a debate between the members of the band regarding who has made a bigger contribution to society — Napoleon or Subwoofers. (Yes we don’t make sense).

Funniest backstage incident...

Kishan: Most of the funny incidents happen on stage. We played at a wedding recently and the drumkit that was given to us was in a bad shape. We had to plug in a handkerchief into the hi-hat to stabilise it. The guests kept requesting songs and we kept playing them and readjusting the handkerchief.

Your musical inspiration.

Nikhila: The band, as such, does not have one. We are all individually inclined towards different artistes. I, for example, am heavily inspired by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone.

Puneet: For me, it is Steven Wilson.

Kishan: Van Halen, Gilmore, Clapton and Page for me.

Sudarshan: I will be very frank. I am hugely inspired by myself.

Siddharth: I am majorly influenced by Ilayaraja since I grew up listening to his songs. Other influences are Steven Wilson and Carnatic progressive music that emotes themes rather than just playing a couple of chords.

If not a band, then?

Sudarshan: That’s something we should answer for each other. I guess Puneet will probably pursue a career in the Telugu film industry but we are all happy that it hasn’t worked out.

Nikhila: Siddharth and Sudarshan will probably be in the IT industry or kill themselves.

Puneet: Kishan would have been an advocate working for the lokayukta in Mangaluru.

Kishan: Nikhila will be clicking pictures of bands and wondering why they are playing instead of her.

(The band will perform at BFlat on August 5.)