THE TINKU BAND
The band came together two years ago and has since been evolving the fusion between classical Indian instruments and Western rock.
Recording and performing live at inner city venues along with a recent tour of the Eastern seaboard has certainly delivered the necessary platform to successfully integrate Eastern and Western sounds.
The reception the band receives wherever they play is nothing short of extraordinary.
They have somehow bridged the gap between East and West and appeal equally to Australian audiences as well as first generation Indo-Australians.
Tinku is first generation Indo-Australian and has been the architect of creating this new hybrid genre in music.
After years of listening to such diverse musical styles of Nusrat Fateh Ali-Khan and Led Zeppelin, it is no surprise that Tinku's writing style was going to be unique in the true sense of the word. In addition to writing/composing the music, Tinku is also the lead vocalist and plays bass guitar.
“First generation Indians in the UK have focused on fusing RNB with Punjabi Bhangra beats; we are combining ‘rock' with Indian rhythms and melodies. This is a first. We are genuinely the first Australian Indian rock band” claims Tinku.
At a recent gig at The Indian Cultural Night with an audience in excess of 3000 people, the band was introduced in the following way:
“We've seen it all before – the classical, the bollywood and the hip-hop, but prepare yourself for the first ever Indian rock performance to grace the stage of the Cultural Night!” The band went on to play to a rapturous audience.
The band's music has been described as an “Indian version of John Butler Trio” or “Led Zeppelin after a stint in an ashram”.
While the music is different, it is also accessible. The rock underbelly provides the accessibility whereas the Indian instrumentation adds the haunting melodies and sensual rhythms. To achieve this fusion successfully requires some accomplished musicianship. In addition to playing tabla, Gurjit Singh's singing style has been compared to the great master Nusrat Fateh Ali-Khan. Electric Larry is a disciplined and soulful guitarist mostly playing the cittern (Irish bouzouki type instrument). Greg Kett on drums provides the solid sound that allows the interweaving of tabla beats.
The Indian string instrument the Sarode is played by Sardool Singh. Having spent some time with Ravi Shankar early in his career, Sardool's sarode adds the final colour to this magical sound.
It is inevitable that a multi-cultural society such as ours is going to create amazing hybrids in the arts. We tasted it sometime ago in food with Nouveau Cuisine, now its time to experience that same excitement in music.
le chefs cap
UP
