MUMBAI: Mumbai based electro-pop band Laxmi Bomb has come out with a brand new EP ‘Mah’Bharat’, which is an extension to their previous ‘H(OM)’ EP, and is a pure amalgamation of east and west influences.
The album launch at blueFROG on 17 September saw the band perform their new material, which received a positive reception from the crowd. Two members of the band Levin Mendes (songwriter/drummer) and Ruell Baretto (bass) are already known veterans in the scene, since they are also involved with reggae/hip-hop band Bombay Bassment. The other members of the band are Keegan Pareira (vocalist) and Joaquim Fernandes (keys).
Sticking true to their sound, their latest record is fresh with melodies that strike all the right chords. The EP title plays with different concepts – one that immediately registers is a take on the epic saga of Mahabharata and the other that says ‘My (Mah) Country’. While ‘H(OM)’ was an homage to ‘Bombay’, ‘Mah’Bharat’, like its name suggests, resonates with all the vastness and eccentricity of our country. With tracks like ‘Andaman Eve’, ‘Keralight’, ‘Shillong Train Running’ and others, the band paints a picture that is pleasing and calming, in the listener’s head.
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The artwork of the EP that has been grabbing attention is a carefully detailed, extremely elaborate illustration, designed by Salil Mirashi aka Shortcomings. A copywriter by profession, Mirashi who is also passionate about designing/illustrating, has captured the essence of India by inking down the different people we come across, in their respective get-ups. It again is a direct reference to Draupadi’s ‘vastraharan’ in Mahabharata – here Laxmi’s ‘pallu’ symbolising our expansive country.
The vocalist, Keegan, talked to Radioandmusic.com about their EP, saying, “It is a sequel to ‘H(OM)’, a point of departure from home that is Bombay; it is a home away from home. It encompasses a wider canvas than ‘H(OM)’ did and it embodies different slices of life.”
The music video for ‘Andaman Eve’ is an aesthetically appealing video that perfectly reflects the song’s tune and lyrics. Keegan explains, “The video was meant to evoke childhood memories and we wanted to capture the spirit of the simple joys of life. Everything is so metropolitan now and people are involved in their daily mechanical lives that our definition of ‘joy’ has completely changed.”
He added, “It is also a take on Adam and Eve, which is the point of return. The video shows the romance and charm that is in the nature and our surroundings. We meant for the video to be a happy one and for it to radiate with rustic joy.”
‘Mah’Bharat’ is live on the band’s website, as well as on NH7’s audiolizer. It is also available on OKListen and will be put out through other major platforms in a week or so through Sony Music’s division called Day 1. The band will be completing a year since its inception this month and will perform at The Ziro Festival of Music 2014.
