Not many singers or musicians can claim to be experts in more than one style. But for vocalist and songwriter Lydia Hendrikje, juggling between genres and styles is second nature to her. She will be showcasing her talent along with two musicians in special concerts this weekend at Windmills Craftworks.
Although on her first visit to Bengaluru, the country is nothing new to the performer. Having stayed in Mumbai for the last two years, the singer and composer from Germany says she’s on a trip exploring herself. “Honestly, I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bengaluru. I’ll keep an open mind. I hope to have a good time and ensure the audience enjoys my music.”
Teaming up with Karan Joseph on keys and organ, and Adrian D'Souza on drums, the jazz diva aims to give music lovers a taste of their music that crosses boundaries of genre and style and is rearranged in an impromptu set.
Lydia says what the trio wish the audience takes away is a refreshed mind. “We are playing some well-known standards, but we have rearranged them. The way we play with one another is very spontaneous, we take a lot of risks to give everyone a good night. They can go back feeling fresh and inspired.”
Best describing their music as unique, the artiste says the trio’s strength lies in its eclecticism. “Karan plays the bass on the keys which is in itself unique to organ players. We are able to do so much with that. While we are playing jazz standards, there’s going to be a lot of other grooves. We have swing standards in there but we also mix it up with other genres, especially since we love hip hop, R&B and funk. You’ll hear a lot of that in our songs. We’ve also re-harmonised our work. What I personally bring to the show is a rearranged set of improvised pop songs.”
She goes on to reiterate that their music is very spontaneous. “But I also like my music to be a little bit arranged. We try to connect first and give it a form. At the heart of it is the love for the moment. Once that is done, the rest is free for all.”
Looking back, Lydia affirms she’s been singing all her life. “I was in children’s choirs and singing in school. I started playing the piano when I was eight. Then I played in a band as a teenager with much older people so I had a lot of learning experience. I was always into performing. I got into jazz a little later. I had played it on the piano before but I found it mysterious and cool because I didn’t really understand it as a teenager. Before I went to conservatory around the age of 19 is when jazz became a serious affair. That was my first big breakthrough. That’s when I decided this is what I wanted to do.”
Her journey has been amazing, she points out. “It has also been very rocky like it is for everyone. For me, it’s always intense. I don’t think I’m ever content with anything and sometimes that is frustrating. But somehow, it’s amazing because I look back at how far I’ve come – like I’m in India now and dabbling with so many different projects as well as playing various set-ups and genres, apart from teaching. I’m really happy that there’s always more to do and explore. I’ve been lucky enough to earn some money too. I love it but it’s not always easy.”
In the future, Lydia hopes to refine herself a little bit. “Coming to a new country like India, you open up to new things. I try out new music and am very open-minded. It’s time for me to be a little choosy again now. I want to take time to write my own songs and work on compositions that I have collected over the last two years. I want to also get into the studio. Apart from playing jazz, I have a pop project. But I like maintaining jazz in everything I do because there’s so much to learn from it.”
To aspiring singers, she has a very specific message: “You have to learn to be independent. Especially if you don’t play an instrument, you often rely on people. It’s really important to be independent, study hard and be capable of doing what an instrumentalist can do. Learn music and equip yourself – that gives you a lot of freedom. Stay hungry and aim to be the leader.”
Catch the Lydia Hendrikje Trio live in concert at Windmills Craftworks, Whitefield, on July 21 and 22 from 9.30 pm onwards. Call 8880233322.
