New Delhi,
MobMarleyInc, as the name of the band suggests, is a contemporary take on reggae — made popular globally by the musical genius of late Jamaican singer-songwriter and reggae king, Bob Marley. Chintan Kalra, vocalist of the Delhi-based band, speaks about the varied influences of the musical
ensemble and its members, the novelty of indulging in reggae for city audiences and the band’s upcoming musical performance.
What kind of music does the band play? How would you classify it, genre-wise?
The music made by MobMarleyInc moves between different musical genres such as reggae, dub, the hop and live electronica.
How did the band come together?
All the band members are individually involved with different bands and various musical projects. A couple of years back, we got the idea of bringing together a band which could experiment with reggae, as no one was really making music in the genre at the time.
So, the members eventually got together, jammed and had fun with the sound. Soon, we ended up playing our first concert as The Live Dub Band in February 2010. We also performed at The Holy Cow! Festival the same year. We have definitely evolved since then and our music is now known for its spontaneity and a contemporary, alternative sound.
How is it performing in Delhi? Where have the band members enjoyed performing the most?
The experience of performing in any city of the world is great. But, with an international mix of audiences, great venues, availability of equipment, and its share of evolved listeners, Delhi makes for an awesome place to perform.
What do you think of the music scene in Delhi? Do you think it has evolved or changed over the years?
The Capital has probably the most number of venues for performing, as compared to any other city in India. Delhi undoubtedly offers a fair playground for a lot of emerging art forms. A reggae band of Indians is a proof of that.
Which are the other city-based bands that you like?
We enjoy many other bands including JOLT, Ska Vengers, Peter Cat Recording Co, Five8 and Advaita. I think it is safe to say that we are really blessed.
How conducive is the city when it comes to music-making? Do you always have easy access to jam pads?
The equipment and talent available in the city is clearly the best that can be found in the country. And, all of this is at par with other countries and international arenas. Also, since we have our own jam pads, making music is not an issue for us at all.
If you could jam with an international artist or band, who would it be?
We would love to perform with singers Damien Marley or Ziggy Marley, and the band — Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Can you tell us more about your tribute performance on Thursday?
We are performing at Hard Rock Cafe in the city. As a tribute, we’ll be performing a set of Bob Marleycovers and many original reggae-muffin numbers.
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