Paperboat’s music is as eclectic as their cosmopolitan background. To put up a good show on August 10, each of them—Yuden Bhutia (vocalist) from Darjeeling, Solomon Steve (beatboxer) from Chennai, Augustus Henry (guitarist) from Bhopal, Rotluangkima Ralte (drums) from Hyderabad, Rahul Rajkhowa (guitar) from Guwahati and Sudeep (bass) from Golaghat—bring a diversity to the stage.
This multi-genre band performs the entire range of the spectrum, from funk and blues to fusion and hip hop, with a bit of jazz, topped up with beatboxing.
The night will also bring with it the launch of the band’s EP, called Paperboat the EP. It consists of four originals. Hunger, the first song, deals with the struggles of a working class man. The second song, Call Me When You Need Me Later, is about how those contesting elections use the poor for votes and promptly forget them once polls are over.
“This song has another meaning. It’s about being the third person in a relationship. The kind of person who is always around when things get rough but then retreats as soon as things become fine,” says Rajkhowa. The third is called Paperboat and shuns objectification of women. Killing Me Slow is the last song on the EP and is about falling hopelessly for someone at first sight.
The thing that gets all of them agitated about the current music culture is that there aren’t enough popular artists talking about important issues in their songs. “Artists need to have that one composition that addresses a serious societal issue,” says Ralte.
Later in the year, the band will travel to the Northeast as part of their launch tour after playing in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru, treading their caravan along the musical slope.
Good to know: August 10, 9 pm onwards, at Raasta, Green Park. Entry: Club rules apply.