Bengaluru-based fusion folk rock band Lagori on Friday released a music video of its cover of leading British electronic music artist Above and Beyond's hit track "We are What We Need". The band was "caught by the mellow hook of the song".
Lagori, well-known in India's indie rock circle, has also added a touch of rock to the song with a collaboration with Girish Pradhan of hard rock/heavy metal band Girish and the Chronicles.
"The mellow hook of the song is what caught at once. But while covering it, we wanted to make it as different from the original as possible," lead guitarist Geeth Vaz told IANS.
"We have collaborated with Girish Pradhan (who we think is the best rock vocalist in India today) and he has lent an '80s classic rock touch. Hence, while the song starts in Lagori style, it ends with a rock flourish," Vaz added.
The guitarist also said that the band has "added the Lagori folk signature" to their version of the song and has also "included strains of Indian classical with a hypnotic sitar piece".
Asked how the band managed to collaborate with a big name like Above and Beyond, Vaz said that during their tour of India last year, they wanted an Indian band to cover their popular song "Sun and Moon".
"They coincidentally loved our sound and also our cover of this track. We even shot a short video of this song in our very own City Market to show everything we love about Bengaluru," he said.
"Their response was very positive. Hence, Lagori covering a track from their latest album seemed like a natural progression. From what we have been told by A&B, they love our cover and can't wait for its release".
Lagori's music is popular among the youth with its eclectic fusion of rock with Indian classical sensibilities, which is reflected in vocalist Tejas Shankar's soulful voice. Although fusion no longer remains a niche style, Lagori has managed to sound distinct with the members' "individual influences".
The band also launched its own beer, a move inspired by their idols Iron Maiden. Called the 'Lagori Amber Witbier', the beer was launched at Big Brewsky in Sarjapur (in Bengaluru) during a gig.
"Some of the bands we worshipped like Iron Maiden had brewed their own beer but nobody had done it ever in India. With this idea in mind, we got in touch with the Big Brewsky, who happen to have one of the finest microbreweries out there and we were happy that they loved our music as much as we loved beer. Thus began a wonderful relationship," the band said.
Asked about their future projects, the band said that they are working on a new album.
"We already have our songs ready to cut another album. While this is in the offing, we are also focussing on playing as many gigs as possible in various places in and out of India to let people know we exist," Vaz said.
Although independent musicians find it tough to compete with Hindi film and pop music in India, Vaz asserts that the "indie scene has definitely grown over the years".
The musician also believes that the audiences has grown "more open and receptive" to different genres.
"Not only has the concept of bands and non-film music caught on with the masses, but the audience has also grown more open and receptive to different genres. This is also evident in the type of music that is now being composed for movies as well," he added.
