CHENNAI: After 18 years in the music biz, singing the same tunes we heard in 1997 — the Vengaboys sound as fresh as they did in a very long ago yesterday. “Except we’re cooler now because we’re retro,” says a gorgeous Kim Sasabone, their lead singer, with a laugh. We’re sitting with the band ahead of their much-awaited Chennai gig at Phoenix MarketCity, that seems to be bringing down all the best acts these days. And playing on average, a 100 gigs a year — the only thing that seems to keep this band away from the bright lights and stage mics, is if one of them is popping a baby. Literally!
“She sang with her little one in the belly till she was well into seven months,” Robin Pors (or the sexy sailor as he is better known) points at Kim. And from the looks of their Instagram account, the other original girl member in this Europop ‘boy band’ may be taking a break for the same reason.
So, are any lullabies part of the mix in their next album one has to wonder?
“I’ll have to give that one a think,” responds Kim, considering the thought for a moment. For now though, she tells us, “It’s great to be back in India. The last time we were here on tour was 16 years ago!” And she adds fondly, “This country is warm, but in two ways — it’s hot, but also there’s so much of love coming our way...”
So much so that the singer tells us they’ve been inspired to do a Bollywood video next. “Maybe even make a guest appearance in a Bollywood movie,” pipes in Donny Latupeirissa (you may recognise him from the cowboy hat). And with their signature We Like to Party — we can certainly imagine this band in an item number. The years rolled by don’t seem to have made them any less sexy.
Someone asks, so what are you guys wearing tonight? To which we hear a naughty, “Nothing.” That’s the Vengaboys for you. They’re clearly older now, but guess what... they never get old.
Snapshots from the Concert
How a Party Saved a Life
Every band has it’s share of crazy fans. Stalkers, look alikes, tattoo idolising — most famous musicians are no strangers to the madness. And the Vengaboys are no exception. Except that they made one crazy fan so happy with their dance hits, he said he wanted to sing his way to suicide! Alarmed, the band at the time offered the best advice they knew, Kim recalls, “Find a party.” And apparently, the advice worked wonders, because according to the band, their fan is alive and well today, all hopefully dancing his troubles away.
Why isn’t it Vengagirls?
If you’ve ever wondered how the Vengaboys got their name, here it is. Venga translated in Spanish means ‘come’ — so when a boy meets a pretty girl, the phrase that most follows hello is usually Venga, Venga venga, the band tells us. in summary, lead vocalist Kim says with a smile. “We’re the Vengas (the girls), and they’re the boys.”
What’s on the Venga wishlist for India?