The name is The Identity Crisis but listening to the music of this Delhi-based band leaves you breathless for the sheer variety and originality it offers. The band’s album, “Trouble in Paradise” has 10 original songs where the genres range from a straight-up rock and roll in “Magical Place’ to an alternate rock sound in “Set Me Free”. And then there are serious numbers like “I Came For You” and “Riddles”, where the emphasis is on lyrics and the message of hope. The band has found airplay on MTV Roots and FM stations and is now on a cross-country tour. This past weekend the group performed at City Club V, Gurgaon.
Here founder member Sharang Sasan, who plays guitar and writes songs, talks about the music and influences.
How did the band take shape?
The band was formed by Vidur Hans and me way back in school around 2008-09. At that time we were just school kids trying to express ourselves. My father Ravi Sasan, who was the lead vocalist of one of India’s earliest premier heavy metal band, Black Widow, used to help us out. Later, when our lead guitarist left us, he joined the band as a guest artist. Now he is the longest serving guest artist! We were writing our own material even then and later things started to come together and we developed a distinct sound during pre-production for our album “Trouble in Paradise”. In fact “Trouble in Paradise” was the first song we ever wrote though it is not in the album.
Later my brother Shardul Sasan, who is a strong and accomplished drummer, also joined us. He has played with progressive rock band Dark Matter and blues band Shades of Blue in Pune. Brennon Denfer is bassist extraordinaire. He is on the music scene for over 25 years. Then Vidur Hans is the lead singer who chips in with lyrics as well.
His introspective writings and ruminations coupled with his broad outlook give him a style that is essentially his own. And then there is Teesta Galway, a veteran vocalist, who has joined us recently. She has played with some of the top musicians of the country including Rudy Wallang and Lou Majaw.
How would you describe your music and how did The Identity Crisis become your moniker?
Our music is directed towards the youth. The youth is confused about many issues – life, wants, goals and our music and lyrics reflect that in some ways. The music ranges from a soft mellow sound to expansive rock with a strong emphasis on melody and lyrics. The name came about when we were getting stuck with many names like Shoelace Madness, Satty and the boys and we were really beginning to have an identity crisis so we thought why not The Identity Crisis, the mother of all crises…
Tell us about your influences
Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd anything from 60’s to 70’s Rock, 80’s Metal and 90’s Grunge actually…
Of the band’s original compositions which is the closest to your heart?
Each one of us has a different one. For some it’s “Magical Place” because the first time we really played that song we knew we were a band and on to something. It’s also a song about innocence and getting back to it. Then there’s “Set Me Free”, our first single which made it to MTV and radio. With dark introspective lyrics, it also defined the band’s sound when we recorded it. For me though it’s “90’s Kid”, a song about our childhood days and heroes. At heart I’ll always be a 90’s Kid!
Tell us about journey from an indie band to releasing your album “Trouble in Paradise”.
It’s been a ride. We first recorded two demos in a studio which had its own challenges with the original guitar player leaving. The demo videos “Fall Away” and “I came for you”, aired on MTV encouraged us to a do a whole album. We recorded and produced the album ourselves and launched with a sponsored tour across Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderababd and Bangalore.
Have you faced censorship?
Fortunately, not yet. We write songs about the issues related to youth, matters of heart and will write songs on social and political issues as and when the muse strikes!
