A hard rock band from the Middle East, Vin Sinners, named after foreman and song writer Vin Nair, had its beginnings in Chennai. Founded by Vin in 2010, the band topped the charts in Dubai. And, the band will perform in the city today.
Penning songs
Vin Nair moved to Dubai to build his career, but kept his passion for music alive. “I was in a band back in college and we were doing a lot of shows. Eventually, people went their separate ways and the band fizzled out. But I kept writing songs, and when Vin Sinners came into being, we began making music for those songs,” says Vin. “We had a digital release in India in 2012, and only then did we realise the following we had here. So, we thought ‘why not plan a tour?’.”
While the band’s philosophy of music is hard rock, it does dabble with other genres once in a while. “Since we are primarily a rock band, our spirit and thoughts are around this genre. But five of us are Indians and have been exposed to Indian Classical music. In fact, we even experimented with a Hindustani number, which did very well in India,” he says.
What about the rock scene in the Middle East? “Well, it is primarily contemporary pop music, but some cult bands such as Metallica have had very good response there,” says Vin. But local bands don’t always get mainstream success. “That’s because your priorities there are different; there are restrictions on what you can do as an independent artiste.”
Vin Nair will be performing in his hometown after 19 years, and is excited. “When the India tour came through, we decided we’re doing four shows; two in Mumbai and two more in Chennai. It’s exciting because I grew up in Chennai and it’s great to be back, from a musician’s point of view.”
(Vin Sinners will perform at The B Bar, MRC Nagar at 9 tonight. Tickets, including cover charges, are priced at Rs. 900).
