It is a homecoming gig that takes the spotlight this weekend with Bengaluru’s Jayanth Ramachandra aka The Sine Painter making waves in the circuit with a four-city tour promoting his debut EP.
Titled URL Utopias , the four-track EP is available to stream on a 360 degree interactive website designed by Jayanth himself and is the outcome of an exploratory journey that started for Jayanth from the time he spent at Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal in 2016.
Playing on home turf after a long time, Jayanth feels great to be sharing his new EP with his favourite crowd. “I’ve spent a lot of time solidifying my sound so I can finally present what I’ve done so far. This is going to be good fun for everyone.”
Elaborating on his signature sound, he says while he doesn’t make music from an audience point of view, “I still make it weird and accessible at the same time. My vibe is putting together an experimental track alongside a Rihanna song. If people see how it is all connected, that will be really cool. The whole thing is different. These are sounds that they’ve probably never heard before.”
The concept EP, is divided into two sections, – (negative) and + (positive), with the first two tracks, – Pt. I and – Pt. II, being rhythm-based productions with minimal melodies while the last two, + Pt. I and + Pt II, are melodically intensive. What inspired the idea? Jayanth replies: “After coming back from the Red Bull Music Academy, the way I thought about music changed. I started thinking about narratives and stories rather than just making music for the sake of making it. It also changed the way I view the purpose of making music. I stopped being proactive in the music scene and went into my own bubble. When I was doing that, I came across a lot of very good art and music and people dedicated to doing what they love. This EP is the result of me getting absorbed into that world and the experiences I’ve had.
The split EP, he elaborates, are two sides of the same coin. “Whether it was art or the experiences I had, I saw both energy getting negativity out of the system and positivity and hope. Both are part of my expressions. I’m not a person who only makes one type of music. I spread across the spectrum and use all of these sounds to express what I want to.”
The industry labels you based on your vibe, Jayanth says. “But for me, they are points of relation that flow through all the genres. I bring them altogether and present music that gives you an experience of everything.”
On his journey, Jayanth says he doesn’t look at growth the way traditional musicians look. “Metrics don’t matter to me. If I can make music that people who inspired me to make it in the first place are happy with, then I’m happy. If I make music that expands people’s understanding of music, that too is an achievement.”
Looking ahead, he is considering getting a regular job and supporting himself making music. “But it’s still just a thought. On the other hand, it is a good time for artistes as a lot of eyes are looking towards India. A lot of connections are being made between the International music scene and India apart from collaborations with international properties. That is what getting the scene growing.”
Backed by visual elements from the website he designed specially to go along with the EP, Jayanth promises a thorough audio-visual treat in his gig.
“There was a solid vibe and narrative when I was making this project. If people are going to come to the show, the music will do its part, but at the same time, the visuals from the website are also going to contribute. At the gig, what’s playing behind me will help them immerse themselves in my music.”
Check out the website and listen to the EP on www.redbull.in/thesinepainter. Also catch The Sine Painter live on May 19 at The Humming Tree from 9 pm onwards. Entry free.
ON THE SIDELINES
Groove to this
Big Brewsky, Sarjapur Road, presents Hip Hopster Night feat. Sahil Madaan on May 19 from 9 pm onwards. Entry free. The young artiste treats a smooth energy build-up at his experimental gigs. 39514766
Say cheers
It’s #Social Saturdays at Whitefield Social with DJ and KJ Martin Dsouza on May 20 from 10 pm onwards. Entry free. Sing along with the entertainer at Whitefield Social, Phoenix Market City. 9108006821
Teaming up
Calm Chor + Stalvart John deliver a passionate techno dance music extravaganza at Koramangala Social on May 19 from 9 pm onwards. Entry free. 9108006821
Rich blend
Bristol’s Kahn brings a mix of dub reggae, early 2000s grime, digital dancehall, UK steppers and music from across the 140BPM spectrum along with Oceantied who will play music that can be ambient, dancey, upbeat or anything in between. Catch them live as part of Krunk’s eighth anniversary at The Humming Tree, Indirangar, on May 20 from 7 pm.
Sound options
BFlat, Indiranagar, presents D’S Kitchen, an evening of rock with an early set by The Bees Knees who will play indie rock, funk, blues and soul, on May 19 from 9 pm onwards.
