Thermal And a Quarter Interview
Thermal And A Quarter, a Bangalore-based rock band, will perform at the NH7 Weekender. The trio is excited about their fest this Sunday. The members tell Ishani Bose about their unique style, new album, and composing for Dewarists season 2
It is always challenging to create a niche for oneself in the highly creative and competitive music industry. One needs to have an edge over the other to stand out in style, lyrics, or rhythm. The band Thermal And A Quarter (TAAQ) has created a unique identity with its music, Bangalore Rock, a sound that is as exclusive and layered as the city itself.
The band, which includes vocalist and guitarist Bruce Lee Mani, percussionist Rajiv Rajagopal, and bass player Prakash KN, was formed in 1996 as a college rock band and has, since then, left listeners and critics astonished with its music.
There is a rather interesting story behind the conception of the name TAAQ, by which they are identified today. “We moved from being the Christ College A Team to Thermal And A Quarter, a name coined in desperation just before registering for the St John’s Autumn Muse Rock Competition. It seemed a good idea at that time,” says Bruce, adding that for years, they had been playing all sorts of genres like progressive rock, blues, jazz, psychedelic rock, and the like till they finally invented their style, which is firmly influenced by urban themes and the unique Banglorean spirit.
In the 15 years since its inception, the band has released a few studio albums, the recent one being 3 Wheels And 9 Lives, their latest album, and can’t stop talking about it. “Stylistically, thematically, and conceptually, 3 Wheels and 9 Lives is an ambitious offering, as we have done more than usual genre-juggling. This album comprises a variety of themes, right from technology addiction, quotes by John Coltrane and Cat Stevens, to things that six-year-olds say, urban loneliness and sounds of Bangalore autorickshaws,’ says Rajiv.
The band is probably the first to get their music mixed by Grammy-winner Jeff Peters at AR. Rahman’s studios, in the past. TAAQ will also feature in Dewarists season 2, in collaboration with Adil Manuel and Vasundhara Vidalur, a Delhi-based jazz/funk/ soul duo, and classical musician Ashwin Shrinivasan. Elated at the outcome of the composition, Bruce says, “Our particular ensemble was special, and working with Adil, Vasundhara, and Ashwin was a treat. The song that emerged from the collaboration was spectacular. It was a real earworm, and the whole crew was stuck in the loop towards the end.”
The band, which will perform some of its past and present hits at the NH7 Weekender, can’t decide whose performance they are particularly looking forward to seeing. “The festival promises to be exciting, and we are going to catch as many acts as possible,” says Rajiv.
ishani.bose@dnaindia.net