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MUMBAI: Cricket in India is no less than religion. Cricketers are revered and the World Cup trophy stands coveted every edition. We all remember the famous jingles created during every World Cup in the ’90s, but now the times have changed. This ICC World Cup, the spirit of cricket will be enjoyed with an anthem – Way O Way O featuring Sanam, one of the most sought after bands in India. Alongside artists from across the globe-Jahmiel from Jamaica, Catherine Taylor Dawson from the United Kingdom, Simba Diallo from New Zealand and choir group Khayelitsha United Mambazo from South Africa. The composer of the anthem is Michael McCleary and Sonal Dabral is the lyricist and the song is in partnership with UBER.
The much-loved vocalist of the band Sanam Puri says, “I got a call from music composer Mikey McCleary about singing an anthem he was working on for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 in partnership with UBER. As I had previously worked with McCleary for some jingles and thoroughly enjoyed working with him, I was looking forward to this. Further, our manager Ben Thomas discussed the project with the composer and briefed all the members of the band. Once we were at the studio, it took us not more than an hour to understand the concept and another 2-3 to record the vocal parts.”
The collaborating artists – Jahmiel (Jamaica), Catherine Taylor Dawson(U.K.), Simba Diallo (New Zealand) and Khayelitsha United Mambazo (South Africa) had recorded their parts in their own country and sent their vocal files to Mikey McCleary who composed and produced the track.
The dynamic drummer Keshav Dhanraj adds, “I witnessed the way he worked while we were in his studio. It was a very interesting process of getting files from different parts of the world and mixing them during our recording (it had to be done in a short span of time). It’s refreshing to hear how everyone sounded on the final track and we couldn’t be happier to represent our country in an international anthem like this – a first for us.”
Two band members who are cricket fans say that this is like festive time for us. Venky S, the bass guitarist, shares, “It’s a very festive time for me personally – I’m watching the game as we speak. I love how cricket fans tune into the game/keep asking for the score while they’re at work or out and about getting things done during the day. Once the sun sets, it’s a good time to catch up with friends and family while the match is on. You never know who’s going to step up to the plate at the time of need in the world cup as the nature of the game is quite unpredictable.” When asked for his favorite team he says, “I’m rooting for India and West Indies but as they say ‘May the best team win!’”
Samar Puri, the man on the guitar and who pens lyrics when required, too, is a massive Cricket fan and has in fact played for Oman’s Under 16/19, as he says, “Cricket has always been an integral part of my life. I represented Oman’s Under 16/19 when I was in high school at Indian School Muscat.” Sharing a trivia sorts about the band, Samar says, “We as a band bonded over cricket at Keshav’s garage in Navy Nagar, Colaba when we first met back in 2009. We have even found time to play cricket with our crew members and session musicians when we’ve travelled for gigs outside.”
All the band members think that Way O Way O has universal appeal, “It’s a song that can be sung by everyone – You’ll hear it in our group vocals on the anthem we recorded with the words saying – We’re on our way-O, we’re on our way; singing way-o, way-o; we’re on our way.”
