When Bengaluru favorites Parvaaz get a stage all to themselves, you bet it’s going to be a memorable gig in store for fans and newbies alike. The psychedelic rock band’s drummer Sachin Banandur says they’re happy to prepare a two-hour set at BFlat Bar in Indiranagar, as part of promotions for Chennai media group IndiEarth’s video series Out There. While Parvaaz were among the first bands to be featured on the online video series’ second season, other artists performing acoustic versions of their songs include Swarathma, Live Banned, All the Fat Children, Solder and more.
Banandur says that unlike some of the other bands featured on IndiEarth Out There, Parvaaz’s sound is much more suited to an acoustic rendition. While band members such as vocalist-guitarist Khalid Ahamed has performed several solo acoustic sets, Banandur says for Out There, the performance came naturally. Banandur adds about their songs such as ‘Ab Ki Yeh Subah’ and ‘Itne Arsey Ke Baad’ which were performed on camera for IndiEarth. “Most of the songs are written on an acoustic guitar anyway, and then layered with percussions and electric guitar licks. It was easy for us, but at the same time, also fun. It was a very peaceful setting.” He goes on to joke that since the video was shot nearly two years ago for IndiEarth, those songs have different lyrics from the one that finally made it to their 2014 debut album, Baran.
But for their two-hour set at BFlat, they’re not looking to reproduce their IndiEarth video performances. Banandur assures the gig is going to mellow, loud and everything in between with an electric set. With a sweet spot for the venue, Parvaaz are also playing two new songs written after the release of Baran. Banandur says, “Every time we play at BFlat, we give something new.”
The band is in the process of recording a new song tentatively titled, ‘Colour White’ at Taaqademy in Koramangla (run by members of the city’s veteran rock band, Thermal and a Quarter) with sound engineer Rahul Ranganath. Banandur adds, “Everything is done, it’s just in post-production now. It might be a single or even part of the next album, but we haven’t decided yet. We just wanted to keep in touch with the studio material as much as we’re playing live.”
In the loop
Although plans for the album are still taking shape, Banandur says Parvaaz is going more organic in its songwriting, In the loop not necessarily putting in solos and massive vocal harmonies. However, the progressive rock element seems to be one they won’t shake off any time soon. “We might try and do shorter songs, but even then we end up going up to six minutes in length,” says the drummer. While they’re plugging in for their gig this week, Parvaaz are currently rehearsing for another acoustic performance that will be shot on video, as part of Rooster Guitars store in Church Street.
