EE15.21.EYE
Transcription
EE15.21.EYE
e www.easterneye.eu guide play that funky music INNOVATIVE: Botown lead singer Ajay; and (inset and below) members of the band Botown adds some soul to Bollywood hits by zekra rahman For the past 10 years, the live circuit has been in de cline, but one act on the Bri tish-Asian music scene that has kept it live is Botown. The 10-piece band are back to give Bollywood chartbusters a unique twist of soul/funk in a live jamming session at London’s Watermans arts centre today (15) and Saturday (16). The feel-good evening, hosted by Club Asia presenter Shak, will feature dhol players and comedians and introduce fresh talent to the scene. Eastern Eye spoke to the band’s lead singer Ajay to find out more about their sound, what to expect on the night and their future plans. What was the inspiration behind Botown? Botown was something that was just waiting to happen. It’s not just a band, it’s also a showcase for a lot of British Asian talent and their ability to perform live. I had always experimented with and re-imagined Bollywood music. As a kid, when my parents made me sing for family and guests, I would add a little funk to the proceedings. Putting a band together around that idea had been at the back of my mind. The right time came along after my solo success in India with my album Kasam Se, as it kicked open a few doors and helped me gain a lot of support for my creative ideas. You are more well-known as a solo artist. What is the biggest difference between that and being in a band? Botown is a party. On stage, off stage and in the rehearsal room, the music is ongoing and the vibe is that of being part of a team, so it’s a great environment to be in. Growing up, I did my graft work as a musician by being in lots of different bands, so it was always something I would return to. Being in a band opens up the music and allows it to breathe more. The main difference is when you play live. It’s the interaction you have with the other musicians and the ability to change the music on the spur of the moment that is just pure magic. Though we are well rehearsed, people who come to our gig will also hear us improvise. How did you assemble the band members for Botown? Hearsay, word of mouth, and twist of fate. Because it was a new project, I decided to involve people who I hadn’t worked with Have you guys ever had any creative differences and how have you got around them? No, all the musicians are chilled out dudes. Besides, as long as everyone does what I tell them to, it’s all peace, love and harmony. Don’t you think your music is a little too old skool for the younger generation? Great music endures and trans cends not just generations, but language, race and cultures. That’s why the Rolling Stones can still sell out stadiums in India and AR Rahman can win Oscars in America. Great music played by great musicians – that’s what Botown is about. Bollywood have on you when you were growing up? It wasn’t just an influence, it was actually a part of growing up. I learned to understand and speak Hindi more by listening to the songs and watching the movies. It was also an important cultural re-enforcement, because it was the only time I had see Asians on screen doing their own thing. It’s quite deep-rooted actually – I grew up thinking for years that I had a long-lost brother! Do you prefer new Bollywood music or the older tracks? You can’t really compare the two. The older stuff is wrapped up in childhood memories, and the newer stuff represents where we are now. I like any Bollywood music that has real musicians and some passion behind it. What was the idea behind looking for a vocalist on Club Asia? It was a great opportunity to spread the word about live music and to encourage the community to get involved, take some risks and have fun. The response has been great – there is a lot of talent out there. I hope I’ve encouraged or inspired some of them to get going with bands of their own. before. I auditioned everyone by jamming with them and chatting about music. I chose the members based on their talents, personality and passion for the Botown vibe. How long did it take you to find your sound? Well, it was always in my head. The Botown sound is about brin ging a soul/funk attitude to Bollywood, so it was just a matter of finding the right musicians. Once you have the ingredients, you don’t need to cook something for too long before it’s ready. What kind of music will you be playing at the concert? A whole lotta soul, funk and Bollywood. But we are playing it the Botown way, which means a glo bal mash up. We are basically a 10-piece soul band that just wants to groove on some of your favourite Bollywood tunes. Who will it appeal to? Anyone who appreciates good music, enjoys the experience of a live band and just wants to have fun. How much of an influence did What’s the future for Botown? We are spreading the gospel of Bollywood and soul and we’re taking no prisoners. Be prepared for many more gigs, albums, Tshirts, books, downloads, and interviews in Eastern Eye! Are you hoping to go on tour and record an album? No, I am going on tour and recor ding an album. We’re in the studio this summer and will have an album out before the end of the year, combining original material with re-worked classics. For more information on Botown and ticket details, visit myspace.com/botownhq EASTERN EYE May 15, 2009 21 things to do THIS WEEK by Pooja Chaudhary Read: Not that being shortlisted for a major literary prize like the Orange Prize for Fiction should be the sole criteria to judge a good book, but Kamila Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows is a well-deserved pick this year. Effortlessly tying in episodes as varied as the final days of the second world war in Japan, India on the brink of Partition in 1947, Pakistan in the early 1980s, New York in the aftermath of September 11 and Afghanistan in the wake of the ensuing US bombing campaign, it is a real treat for any fiction lover. Buy: It might seem like it is too early to think about buying tickets to a comedy gig in July, but that is exactly what you have to do with Paul Chowdhry. The gigs featuring the popular stand-up comedians get sold out very fast, so beat the crowd and buy tickets for his show at The Drum Theatre in Birmingham on July 4. To find out more or to book tickets, call 0121-333 2444. Dance: The most interesting-looking dance performance of the week is at the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead on Sunday (17). Baharan Spring features the Pagrav Dance Company and a host of talented musicians. The vibrant production combines classical kathak with modern choreography, live music and beautifully written poetry. The good thing about this venue is that you can get closer to the performers. To book tickets, call 01628 788997 and to find out about the dance company, log onto www.pagravdance.com Watch on TV: Make sure you tune into EastEnders because the Masood family are getting a lot more interesting now that the character we were all looking forward to the most has been introduced to the story line. Yes, Preeya Kalidas, who plays Amira Shah, the girlfriend of Syed Masood (Marc Elliott), has started shaking things up in Albert Square and the drama is only set to intensify as her character develops. Enjoy: If the credit crunch has made you miserable, let the warmer weather put a smile on your face. Look out for a number of free music festivals, melas and events that will be taking place up and down the UK through the summer months. Check out: The latest Bollywood style production, Wuthering Heights, from exEastEnders star, Deepak Verma. An adaptation of the classic British novel by Emily Bronte, it follows the main character Krishan’s search for love, played out against the dazzling swirl of colour set in the deserts of Rajasthan. Wuthering Heights is showing in London at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith until next Saturday (23). Watch in the cinema: If you love Punjabi films and have been enjoying the recent releases, look out for Manmohan Singh’s new film Munde UK De. The first Punjabi film the ace director has made without Harbhajan Mann stars Jimmy Shergill, Amrinder Gill, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Neeru Bajwa. It revolves around two funloving British guys who go to the Punjab and find true love there. To find out more ab out the film, log onto www.mundeukde.com