7th South Asian Bands Festival 2013 band profiles

Main Event : 7th South Asian Bands Festival 2013 at Purana Quila > 29th, 30th November & 1st December 2013

7th South Asian Bands Festival 2013 band profiles

Korean Rock Band – Biuret - a winner at Sutasi, Asian American Idol  programme, started in 2002 and has since released two albums and performed at the Incheon Pentapot Rock Festival and Ssamzi Rock Festival in Korea. Biuret has performed in UK, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and China. Among the members of the band are Hye-won Moon (vocals) and Gyo-won Lee (Guitar) and they  plan to release their 3rd album in 2014.

During SABF 2013, they are performing Fly My Voice, a song famous for its lyrical quality, Lie, which is the title song for Biuret, Mama, a powerful number, Violet which is the band’s favourite number, a Pop Medley which is a medley of five  famous songs and Be with me post sleeping, a song made up soft and popular melody and medium tempo.

Stigmata (Sri Lanka) was formed by Suresh De Silva, Andrew Obeysekara and Tennyson Napoleon in 1999 at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia, where they were schoolmates. They chose the name "Stigmata" from the 1998 album Stigmata by melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. The band's style is an eclectic mix of Progressive, Thrash & Death Metal with Hard Rock influences, laced with nuances of Classical, Latin, Jazz, Blues, Baila and Traditional Sri Lankan Rhythms. Without Stigmata daring to take the first step, young kids around Sri Lanka wouldn‟t have dreamt of forming their own bands. The fact that Sri Lanka‟s heavy metal scene is now garnering attention from around the world is a direct consequence of Suresh de Silva, Andrew Obeysekera and Tennyson Napoleon having the self-belief and making the sacrifices that life asks of pioneers.

LRB (Bangladesh) is a legendary name in the history of Bangladeshi band music. Ayub Bachchu, the man behind the band started his career with SOULS, one of the pioneers in the band movement of Bangladesh. In 1991 Ayub Bachchu left SOULS and formed LRB. LRB started to play live gigs in the following year for flood victims and released their first album in 1992, which was a double album and entirely a new concept in Bangladeshi music and to the listeners as well. Through the years of proceeding a number of musicians came to share their visions with the band. Their first show outside the country was held in India. It was in 1997 at Jadavpur University.

Susmit Sen Chronicles (Delhi): Founder member and lead guitarist ofone of India’s most famous rock band – Indian Ocean, creator of its unique rock-folk sound; he has had an illustrious career spanning over two decades and has performed across the globe in countries like America, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, UAE, Japan, China and many more. As all good things come to an end, so have his innings with Indian Ocean. Susmit, now a solo artiste, is traveling the country with his Ensemble – Susmit Sen Chronicles. The Ensemble comprises a motley group of like - minded musicians who believe that expression in their notes can translate into stories: their entire repertoire is a collection of stories told with fun and a musical abandon.
ZnG (Bhutan): The Zhaw and the Ngori Gyabs (ZnG) jives to the likes of early metal age rock avatars like Judas Priest to The Scorpions and progressive alternative rocks like Creed, Alter Bridge, Matchbox Twenty and the like. The band strives to give a new face to Bhutanese music scenario.

Albatross (Nepal) was born in the year 1998 and has made a landmark in the current Nepali music scene. It all began when a couple of guys joined hands together with their rusted guitars and other old instruments to transcend the sound of Nepali Alternative music, each of which has significantly influenced the music which the band creates.  Evolved from a three-man school band and now currently consisting of four members, Albatross has made their presence known nationally and internationally. With a huge influence amongst the current generation, Albatross is also popular amongst anyone who likes Nepali Contemporary Music. Albatross composes and plays Nepali Rock that addresses contemporary issues of Nepal. They love playing music that people can relate to, be it through music or the lyrics.

Strings (Pakistan): Formed in 1989 by Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia, Strings have performed over 700 concerts altogether in these following countries: Pakistan, India, U.A.E, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Singapore, Maldives, USA, Canada.

Papon And The East Indian Company (Mumbai): Papon (Angaraag Mahanta) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable voices in India. Papon’s first duet with Shreya Ghoshal is for the movie ‘Bobby Jasoos’, with music by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics by Swanand Kirkire. The track is semi-classical in nature and right up Papon’s alley. An established folk singer and indie musician and now a popular Bollywood playback singer, Papon has now acted in an Assamese film.

Barefaced Liar (Delhi) is a fusion of the talents of Akshay Chowdhry (vocal, guitar), Sumant Balakrishnan (vocals, guitar), Akshay Johar (bass) and Suyash Gabriel (drums). With a friendship tracing back to high school, the band is infused with a burst of energy.

Circus (Delhi): A band which has been making waves on the Indian Music Circuit since 2007. This is no-frills rock with a sonic assault which is at the same time exhilarating and psychedelic in nature. Since 2007, they have played over 200 shows in the country and abroad.

What’s In The Name (Mumbai): Headlined at many inter college cultural festivals & music festivals. Winners of many inter-college and national level band competitions.