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May the best band win

‘Ooh Lalala,’ a talent hunt for bands, will see composer A. R. Rahman in a new role

Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Bonding with bands A. R. Rahman at the ‘Oohw Lalala’ launch

When musicians become increasingly dependent on technology and the only band they are involved with is Garage Band (the application for composing music on the computer with the help of preset loops), you know it’s time someone did something to promote live music and the concept of a band. Trust A. R. Rahman to hit the right note. The one-time band member of rock band ‘Nemesis Avenue’ has not forgotten the ‘Magic’ or his ‘Roots.’

“The joy of playing in a band is something else,” says Rahman.

“In my early days, I was part of a band. The idea of a musician in a band gets more fragrance because it is not one idea but an organic culmination of ideas of members of the band.”

“There are so many bands that need exposure,” the music director notes during the launch of ‘Ooh Lalala,’ a talent hunt that will give bands the opportunity to cut an album with Saregama India. The first phase of the hunt will cover Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

“We need to encourage bands and this is a humble beginning,” said Rahman. He himself will choose the finalists. The first phase of the hunt will be televised as a 13-episode series on Sun TV. The programme will also feature Rahman’s tips to musicians. Vasundara Das, one of the judges, hosted the packed press meet.

The application forms for the band hunt are available at Saregama outlets, Reliance Webworld and on www.oohlalala.in.

SUDHISH KAMATH

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