The music-makers from Surat are back in the news with a bang. Launching its debut album on November 5 in Ahmedabad, the five-member band is in top gear to parade its potential on a national promotional tour. For those who’re tuning in late, this five-piece experimental, alternative, classic rock band called Odyssey is not a new name in the music circuit. In fact, they have already performed at various nocturnal gigs and have widely headlined a slew of electrifying shows across the countrywide music stage. Ever since the Unseen Underground Pub-Fest was hosted in Kolkata last autumn — wherein the band got its first big mileage and a huge media coverage — Odyssey has been ceaselessly on tour, from the famous Indian music conference held in Goa, followed by other rock fests conducted in Vellore and Ahmedabad, back to back.
Ready to re-ignite its passion with an unalloyed chemistry amongst the band members and their unusual compositions, Odyssey is all set to embark upon a musical voyage with 10 experimental tracks. The album is titled No Haybender, a Spanish synonym for the English translation — “There is no band”. The theme is pegged around an illusion that spells out the idea that no band is actually performing; instead, a non-stop record is on an eternal play-mode.
Odyssey frontman Yogendra Saniyawala a.k.a. Yogi says, “We have put in a lot into this album. From our heart, soul, blood, salt to everything else you can think of. Even the production cost was funded from our own pockets. There was no company to sponsor us or raise money to back us. We even fell short of roping in a good sound engineer to put things together into proper fashion. We had to make do with a shoestring budget and a limited technical infrastructure. But we can ensure top notch quality. We never compromised on that.”
The band started recording the album in April this year, in a huge studio set-up at guitarist Chetan’s spacious drawing room. “We brought in mixers and did the first two recording sessions in April-May. Then we moved into another friend’s hi-fi studio to wrap up the remaining recording stint. The good news is that we have also shot a video-track that will be aired on the VH1 music channel on the launch-night itself,” says an enthusiastic Yogi.
“Although we faced initial hiccups in smoothening the jerky recording process at our make-shift studio, our task became far easier with the support of friends and our families’ from all corners. And pretty soon, we were able to iron out the creases to perfection. One thing I’ve learnt from this experience is that it’s your near and dear ones who become your sole anchor when push comes to shove,” Yogi says on a pensive note.
The compilation will be unveiled by renowned Odissi dancer Mallika Sarabhai in Ahmedabad. Thereafter, a series of releases will hit a clutch of major cities followed with performances in tandem. “Surat, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, besides Kolkata where we might touch down in early 2012, are currently scheduled on our destination-list,” Yogi continues. “Actually, the more places we go the merrier we are. The more we travel, the greater exposure and a better, wider audience we’ll get. Truly, it means a lot to us at this nascent stage of our career. Hopefully, there will be more additions to our itinerary. I tell you honestly: All our hopes are pinned on this painstakingly made project. It’s been a unified, sincere effort on our part. We want to leave a mark on the listener’s mind with this album and our fingers are crossed. Expectations are way too high and we want to live up to them,” he explains.
Odyssey plans a worldwide release as an upcoming talented outfit. “As of now, we intend to release the venture independently, but talks are on with several distribution companies to sell the album on a global platform,” announces the lead vocalist.
For the first time, the band claims that an album is interspersed with Gujarati folk elements. The numbers are not genre bound. Overall, the CD inlay card will highlight a playlist of experimental rock, hard rock, classic rock, et al. Interestingly, a desi finger-tapping dafli has been used as a percussive instrument in place of those oft-played pulsating western gizmos on the album. This is in fact a welcoming change and quite opposed to the otherwise normal trend. Besides, lots of textures, a feel of orchestra and symphony-based songs have been interlaced into this euphonious creation. “More than its commercial viability, we have always weighed our thoughts on generating a heart-tugging musical gem to offer that deepest core of satisfaction to our creative buds. So, right from the word go, we’ve wanted a good production value with a view to cater to all listeners,” comes a candid confession from the Odyssey helmsman.
A deep blue sea of music lies in front of their dream-filled eyes. This is only the beginning of their journey. We expect their odyssey to script a beautiful saga in years to come.
Bon Voyage!