JOIN USNot going by the book
With fans that surpass boundaries, their music gave a new definition to music when they came out with their first ground-breaking album Desert Rain, 13 years ago.
A mix of jazz, shlokas, Sufism, mythology and a lot more, the band had a new sound which was never heard before. And now with their new album 16/330 Khajoor Road up for release, it has been a long journey for the members.
The band’s guitarist Susmit Sen talks about the new album, music and their uncanny launch.
The album comprises all the last few songs composed by the band’s former percussionist and vocalist, Asheem Chakravarty, who passed away last year.
What makes the launch of 16/330 Khajoor Road different is that the band is giving away all songs of the album free of cost.
People can download the music from their website. “We don’t make much out of record or music companies,” says Susmit.
Indian Ocean, as a band, was never really known to stick by the book and this move showcases the same. “We feel that this is the best way to reach out to fans and our listeners,” says Susmit.
About the album, he says that it will have a different sound in itself. “No two songs of ours sound similar and the same is the case with this new album. It will have completely different music,” he says.
The band has also composed two songs from the motion picture Peepli Live. “We have done two songs for the movie. Des Mera, which was our song, is being used in the movie but some lyrics were changed on demand and there is a new song that we have composed,” says Susmit.
“People come to us only when they want our kind of music,” he adds. About his music tastes, he says, “Nowadays, I hardly get time to listen to any. Otherwise, I listen to classical, Indian, rock, jazz, Russian folk and reggae among other genres,” he adds.
For a band who has came out with the first live album in India, performing on stage forms a big part of their life. “We are primarily a live band. So that is what we like doing the most,” says Susmit.
“The process of composing music is what gives us a high. But recording is boring,” he adds.
“Recording music is very dry. It is very technical, you see, doing it (recording) track by track,” he says. So what can the fans look forward to their new album? “I guess the naturality of it all,” he says.