Attend the first performance of this Sri Lankan music band in Bandra today

For this writer the first mention of Sri Lanka brings to mind the wristy strength of Sanath Jayasuriya and the wiles of Mutthiah Muralitharan But the emerald isle is also home to a culture of music The fivepiece band The Soul is a product of that culture They released their first album Round amp Around in 2018 followed by Enry Pete in 2020 and are on their third tour of IndialdquoThis is our first performance in Mumbai thoughrdquo Khazim Miskin guitarist for the band reveals They have enjoyed the stay and the attention he adds ldquoPeople are very curious In Colombo if you walk into a bus with a guitar case the driver would be unfussed Here people will stop you ask what do you playrdquo Dave Roberts lead vocalist observesKhazim MiskinFluid in styleThe answer to that question is not easy Roberts shares ldquoWe donrsquot really think of ourselves as a genrespecific band If the five of us think it sounds good then it is good enoughrdquo Miskin remarks ldquoOur sound is different from the mainstream music in Sri Lanka We sing in English about themes from the struggles of our country to depression and war But it is fulfilling to usrdquo The band came together in 2015 led by Roberts and Miskin They soon found Sarani Perera guitar and keys Uwindu Perera guitar and Divanka Weerasinghe drums to complete the setNostalgia aboundMiskin explains that it has not been an easy journey The music industry on the island is still in a nascent stage and struggling after years of conflict ldquoThe independent music scene really took off in the late 2000s But the trouble is that the infrastructure is in bad shaperdquo he admits This has led to an ecosystem of cover bands and wedding bands The bandrsquos influences come from Indian MiddleEastern European music and the usual pop culture suspects The island also revels in nostalgia ldquoIn fact there is a genre we like to call lsquobus musicrsquo It consists of sad breakup and makeup songs played in buses across the countryrdquo he laughs Not too different from private buses belting out Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu hits in India we remarkBreaking outIt was this repetition that the band sought to escape ldquoWe were sick of playing on the cover circuitrdquo Roberts says adding that their first album was a reaction ldquoWe decided to take some time and come back with songs Slowly we put them together to create a couple of singlesrdquo he reminisces The early years saw them lead with covers and perform a few singles to finish offldquoSoon we had enough originals to stop playing covers completelyrdquo he states Their style captures vibrant guitar play choral substance and a touch of rock with Weerasinghersquos drums But it is the emotional lyrics and themes that catch our eye ldquoBasically we are a bunch of crybabiesrdquo Roberts mocks adding that the music is both cathartic and healing for listeners ldquoFor us it evolves past catharsis during creation But for listeners the eventual redemption and optimism is relatablerdquo Something the island needs more of we think ldquoWe might sing of rosy things in the future but right now we want to address the pain around usrdquo he remarksBalancing actWith an EP under production the bandrsquos tour marks a successful postpandemic return to Indian shores The band is enjoying the challenge Roberts says ldquoIn India they pay close attention to performances mdash our stagecraft transitions and progressions It is important to be tight Itrsquos very different to the island vibe of having funrdquo he says adding that it is the defining element ldquoWe hope to play have fun and see some friendly crowds Thatrsquos why our live and production albums always sound differentrdquo he concludesOn Today 10 pm onwardsAt Bonobo second floor Kenilworth Plaza Bandra WestCall 619930030