The city’s cultural scene is certainly getting more dynamic by the day. Youngsters with common interests are now teaming up to do their own thing and finding encouragement too. One such group of rock music enthusiasts came together to form the band, Amidst Barren Dreams.
It all began when guitarist Arko Pritam Das and his fellow guitarist Dipankar Ghosh thought of starting a band following a casual conversation at the KIIT University campus.
Hoping to create some experimental music, they met Collin Francis, a bassist. Along came Aritra Kumar Saha, drummer, and Ayan Sinha, who is a vocalist. Belonging to different engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar, they formed the band last year.
This five-piece fusion rock band also performs an eclectic mix of both electric and acoustic instruments. The band’s mantra is to focus on improvisation through a rich interplay between eastern and western influences. Comprising musicians with varied interests, how does this band stick together?
Das says the band features musicians who converge their music to create a balance in sound. The band is highly influenced by rock bands like Kilswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Born of Osiris, Periphery and Textures. “Our music strives to explore the creativity in each of the members. The mission is to create good music,” he adds.
The band has come out with two original compositions so far, Running in Circles and another untitled number. “We are mostly comfortable playing English numbers,” says Das. With regards to balancing studies and music, the band members say all of them have learnt time management. They jam during weekends and the sessions are on pause during exams.
So what is their success mantra? “You need to be passionate about your music,” says Ghosh. Experimenting and mixing genres also helps, they say. Francis points out how it is important to promote the band’s music as well, apart from playing, something quite evident from their active online pages which are full of keen followers.
— diana@newindianexpress.com.com