Nothing beats the blues like good music. And what better music than the blues to drive the gloom away? The Himalayan Blues Festival at Indigo Live Music Bar on November 7 features international artistes — KKniki + Mike Beale Project from Australia, Christopher Sutton from United States and Lloyd Williams from the United Kingdom.
Kniki and Mike Beale will bring intimate acoustic performances. Talking about their performance the duo says: “India is such an enormous country and we are expecting to see and hear some amazing local Bangalore blues musicians while we are here.” On what it means to be musicians, they say: “Being musicians means freedom to express ourselves. We also get to travel, see the world, meet great people and play music for them.”
Lloyd Williams blends banjo and guitar. His trademark dark folk American edge with a classic British folk soundscape would be a fascinating performance to look forward to. Lloyd says music lovers can expect a mix of light and dark music. “I try to make the live show as powerful as possible. I shuffle between the guitar and banjo and use a lot of dynamics with the songs growing in volume.”
On what he thinks of the music scene here, Lloyd says from what he has seen during his last visit to India, it seems like blues music is thriving in India and Nepal. “I'm looking forward to seeing some of the local artistes play during my stay here.”
Lloyd also points out that he is not what one would call a blues musician, which sets him apart for the festival. “A lot of my sound has influence from traditional blues, but it also has elements of folk and rock.”
With his song-writing skills, powerful vocals and versatile guitar signatures on stage, Christopher Sutton is bound to get the audience in the groove.
Chris says his performance will be a blend of American blues and roots music. “I cater my set to each venue I play, mixing my original tunes with some blues and roots standards. I am known as a songwriter and guitar player, but probably most popular in the States for belting out soulful vocals. Bangalore can expect a good dose of blues shouts in my set. If I can’t move the audience’s heart with a blues tune about heartbreak, hopefully I can move their feet.”
He feels the future of blues is promising “Because of events like the Himalayan Blues Festival. Getting someone out to a show where they can actually see it, hear it and feel it, is so much more likely to spark a new interest than to give someone a CD or download. I’d like to think that the other performers and I on the tour are missionaries of blues with the aim to try and convert new blues enthusiasts. This helps build a sustainable global blues scene.”
Tickets for the blues festival are priced at Rs. 500 at www.bookmyshow.com. Call 25535330 for details.
