A launch and a comeback

One Girl Shy, Opposite Sex, Perfect Strangers among others hold the stage this weekend

February 16, 2017 05:59 pm | Updated 06:00 pm IST

This weekend promises a range of musical experiences in the city. Top of the list is the album launch of alternative folk band One Girl Shy at The Humming Tree on February 17. Titled We’re All Mad Here , the eight-track album explores how people do what others expect them to do, explains frontman, singer, songwriter and guitarist Akhilesh Kumar. It is an appeal for people to get back to being themselves. “The album cover is of a man in black and white breaking his head apart to reveal colour and creativity inside. We are trying to tell people they don’t have to be what everyone tells them to be. You have to discover your own identity and be you.”

One Girl Shy was the result of a studio production by Akhilesh where he roped in others to contribute to his single ‘Hopscotch Man’. “My way of paying them back since I’m a poor musician was to repay them with shows. Our first show at bFlat had me introduce the team and we had this girl singing for us who kept shying away from the spotlight. That eventually seemed like a nice name for an indie band and One Girl Shy came to be. We had more female artistes joining us. And we believe women are as powerful as men in the music industry. We always have place for more women in our band. That’s why we’re always One Girl Shy.”

Pop rock act Opposite Sex opens for them this gig. Guitarist and vocalist Siddharth Gautam says they’re looking forward to hearing the new material from One Girl Shy. “On our set list, we’re playing a mix of originals and covers. We’re known for taking every day experiences and turning them into funny songs. It just comes from the kind of people we are. It is not very heavy and people will easily relate to our songs.” With a repertoire of catchy songs that tell little stories and infectious songs, the band promises a night full of fun and energy.

Catch One Girl Shy and Opposite Sex at The Humming Tree, Indiranagar, on Friday, February 17 form 9 p.m. Entry+Cover at Rs. 500. Call 7022359288 .

Perfectly Strange

Meanwhile, a little distance away at bFlat, pop, blues, progressive, jazz-rock band Perfect Strangers will be playing a comeback gig after a hiatus of eight months. Lead guitarist and vocalist Debjeet Basu says that they’re coming back full circle since their last gig was ironically at bFlat. “We are playing a 50-50 mix of covers and originals. Our originals are a mix of pop, progressive and jazz rock while our covers go across genres. Our USP is we don’t stick to one genre. We play everything that sounds good.” He elaborates that the band is versatile and can handle all genres of music. “It’s a fun band and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We don’t make music about Donald Trump. We sing more about matters such as selfies and obsession with Facebook! Our well-made instrumental passages, well-executed songs, tightness and more is what our audiences can take away. We also have two front singers as well so we interpret a lot of our songs into duet arrangements.”

Check out Perfect Strangers at bFlat, Indiranagar, in association with OLA, with opening act GrapeGuitarBox aka Teenasai Balamu on vocals and guitar who will play a mix of indie, pop, folk and alternative on Friday, February 17 at 9 p.m. Entry at Rs. 400 on bookmyshow and venue. Call 25278361. (Use code BFLAT to avail 25 per cent off (up to Rs. 50) on OLA Mini and Prime rides on February 17)

ON THE SIDELINES

Metal calling

Zygnema, the famous four-piece heavy / thrash groove metal band from Mumbai, come over to The Humming Tree this Sunday. The band celebrates 10 years of making music with a 10- city tour this month and March. Guitarist Sidharth Kadadi says they’re thrilled to be back in Bengaluru, their favourite city. “We will be playing a couple of new songs we didn’t play last time from our album. We want people to get used to our compositions. It’s also an honour to have completed 10 years as a band. Come and celebrate with us. We are still together because of the love and support from people all over the country.”

Join the celebration with opening act by Bengaluru’s own thrash and death metal band Inner Sanctum who also step into their 10th year.

Venue: The Humming Tree, Indiranagar

Date: February 19

Time: 9 p.m. onwards

Entry: Rs 350

Tickets: www.insider.in

Call: 7022359288

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Fusion night

Guitarist, producer, composer and music director from Kochi Baiju Dharmajan will also be in town to showcase his unique ability to seamlessly fuse overtones of Carnatic music with rock in the Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate while Mysuru’s Hindustani progressive rock act will also deliver their traditional rock sound fused with Hindustani classical music.

Venue: blueFROG, Church Street

Date: February 17

Time: 9 p.m. onwards

Entry: Rs. 500

Call: 69999549

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Futuristic sounds

Drop in for ‘Back To The Future’ at blueFROG with DJ Shiva Manvi who will be performing future house. The young and upcoming electronic music talent is living his dream and will be playing a funky, progressive set.

Venue: blueFROG, Church Street

Date: February 18

Time: 9 p.m. onwards

Entry: Rs. 500

Call: 69999549

***

Tree tunes

Namma Bengaluru’s very own groovy, contemporary music band Peepal Tree bring their enterprising music as a treat to the city’s music lovers. Join the eclectic band as they deliver bad jokes, hilarious dance moves and some fantastic music in a spectacular set list of favourite songs.

Venue: Murphy’s Brewhouse, The Paul, Domlur

Date: February 18

Time: 9 p.m.

Call: 40477777

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