Musicians keep it raw

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An impromptu music session, where the band performs one of their signature songs representative of their style of music, records it and puts it up online is a trend that is gradually gaining popularity. One of the finest examples of such series of videos is Tehelka Music Project, which was followed by BalconyTV (Delhi edition) and several others. Online portals like IndiEarth Out, The Soundcheck Project and Song Dew that started recently, are working in a similar directions and helping fresh talent gain a strong foothold by providing ample exposure.
Pragya Tiwari, one of the three producers of the Balcony series that has featured both established and fresh music talent including names like Vinyl Records, Reggae Rajahs among others, shares, “We started the concept of BalconyTV, an online music show featuring musicians performing one song that is uploaded online. The concept is successful as it provides great opportunities to music lovers to discover talent and variety of music. Several industry professionals, agents, festival scouts and talent managers get to discover new talent by doing a smart online search.”
She adds, “Most artistes we’ve featured have seen their gig invites go up exponentially while others have been invited to perform at festivals abroad.”
The location where musicians shoot these casual videos should be one of the most important considerations, according to most of the music experts.
“For example, one generally expects a reputed band to be performing on either a well-crafted stage or studio with innovative technology, but a slight change in the location of the shoot can help in creating a video that is relatable. The band members can opt to hang out in a park or sit on a bench at a chaiwala’s shop. The more homely and ‘real’ the video is, the more chances of people sharing it and the band gaining popularity,” points out Pinakin Thakkar, a leading YouTube multi-channel network for Indie musicians.
Technology has further facilitated this concept. “Jamming and recording live is a no-pressure exercise and leads to beautiful compositions at times rather than a more structured performance. There are several means to record the videos now. A good cellphone or an iPhone with smart features, a decent sound and video quality can tap whatever you are performing. One can simply sit and jam with friends in the most informal settings, record it and share it with fans and friends,” says Shridevi Keshavan, vocalist of contemporary fusion band Gods Robots.
Sharing his experience of being a part of one such video, Ananda Sen, vocalist of the rock n’ roll band, The Supersonics concludes, “Last year we were just sitting at a tea stall when we thought of jamming. This video was recorded by NH7.in and later became popular as chaiwala sessions. Such videos are beneficial for the amateur talent and is worth exploring.”