Large amplifiers, cheering crowds and free flowing alcohol—three things that really get percussionist Naman Datta going. Part of a band called Slapdash Tavern that will be performing at Raasta today, he tells us how performing live has changed his and his band’s perception towards music.
The four-member piece of which the other three are Mehak Anand (vocals), Abhishek Dabas (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Archit Aggarwal (bass) is best known for its blues and rock ‘n’ roll compositions. Of course, they, like many other artistes, don’t keep themselves confined only to these genres but confess that their comfort zone lies in playing them, over others. “When you’re part of a band, your learning graph is on an upward tangent because you’re learning from other musicians as well as from your own team. That’s what’s so great about being part of a musical collective. On top of that, when you get onto a live stage, things become more real. Everything must go perfectly. That understanding makes a musician more alert and attune with the needs of that moment,” says Datta.
Playing a few of their original compositions and some popular blues and rock ‘n’ roll tracks, each member of the band has been, in a sense, meditating on the music for their show today. “All we’re doing nowadays is rehearsing. It has become a part of our system,” says Dabas, whose greatest inspiration has been Pink Floyd. “Their originality, in addition to lucid writing styles, are so inspiring that it gives me, as well as the band, the right direction to build our repertoire,” says Aggarwal.
To begin with, in April 2013, when Slapdash Tavern was conceptualised, it was a Blues Rock/Funk trio that played extensively jammed at various events in the city. Subsequently, Mehak was incorporated within the outfit. “Joining the band ended their hunt as well as mine. We found each other. It’s wonderful because we all have the same genuine intention—to play out some good ol’ blues and rock ‘n’ roll,” she says.
Date January 18; today Time 8 pm Venue Raasta, DLF Cyber City, NH 8, Phase II, Gurgaon Entry Free