A small but growing tribe of young female rockers is making its presence felt across our cities
When they bagged their first show, they were thrilled. But once they reached the venue, they realised that they would have to give an audition before they were allowed to get up on stage. The organisers were just not sure how good an all-girl rock band would be.
"We were finally given 12 minutes to perform," says Mamoni Kalita, lead vocalist of 'Band of Hurricane Gals', the first all-girl band from the Northeast. The Bihu show in Guwahati, telecast live on national television, was a hit. A news channel called the band the next day to do a feature on them and the response was amazing. "We received 700 calls in one day, all congratulating us," says Kalita. That was in 2011. Since then the Hurricane Gals have swept away all criticism from their path to pursue their passion.
"Music is a God-given talent; and you should never abandon it," says Kalita. The six-member band have been vocal in their support of Pragaash, Kashmir's only all-girl band who quit performing after a fatwa was issued against them.
"They shouldn't give up. If they want any help we will extend it to them," says Kalita. "We will play with them. And if any storm comes, we will face it smilingly."
Female rockers are not very common in India. The field has generally been a male bastion. But a few adventurous girls are now making their presence felt on the music scene.
(Members of The Vinyl Records, a four-piece Delhi-based girl band.)
"Initially, it was all about the excitement. We began for the fun of it," says Mithy Tatak of The Vinyl Records, a four-piece Delhi-based girl band. "All of us are from Arunachal Pradesh. Three of us studied at the same school and we used to jam together. We met the vocalist at a music school and the band just happened," says the drummer. The band, which plays Indie post punk rock, has since performed at all kinds of venues, including pubs, festivals, college campuses and even at Tihar jail. Apparently, it's also more difficult for girl bands to get bookings: "You have to work twice as hard to prove yourself," says Tatak. Worshon Muivah of Minute of Decay, a Delhi-based classic fusion rock band says people are still surprised that women can play rock. "It's sometimes funny. My sister is a drummer, and when we perform, all the video cameramen rush towards her."
(Members of Afflatus say that they face challenges like security while on the road and during late-night shows.)
However, guitarist Karen Donoghue of Afflatus, a Shillong-based all-girl outfit, feels that good music will always find an audience. "It is still a novelty to see women play rock. It takes the first 15 minutes for people to let go of their preconceived notions and become neutral," she says. The band hopes to release its own album soon.
Other challenges also crop up. Families may not be too happy, at least initially. "They felt that while they had sent us far away to study, but we were instead pursuing music," says Tatak. "They didn't want it to affect our career but we have done a good job of balancing studies and performances."
But in most cases families tend to be supportive. Minute of Decay is a three-member, all-sister band that plays classic fusion rock. "Our parents introduced us to music, bought us instruments and asked us to practise and do something worthwhile with it," says Muivah. The 25-year-old grew up listening to Suzi Quatro, Joan Jett, Mr Big, The Beatles, CCR, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin.
Security is always an issue, of course. "Whenever we get gigs, four men, including me, travel everywhere with the girls. We take care of the sound, handle the equipment and also ensure there is adequate security," says C'sam, Minute of Decay's tour manager.
Tatak says they don't have any bodyguards. "We are always meeting new people and we pray it all goes fine," she hopes.
Still, making your mark in the world of Indian rock is difficult. Donoghue feels lack of a platform also discourages women from taking it up as a career. But there are also other reasons — long, late-night shows; time spent away from the family; and security issues. "Being in a band requires a lot of commitment. You have to be together, work on lyrics and travel. After marriage, it gets more difficult and, for some, impossible," rues Tatak.
However, a few determined gal rockers are determined to brave it out. "We feel music transcends gender, religion and even age," says Donoghue. "It all depends on how passionate you are."
priya.menon@timesgroup.com
Everywhere you go, girls wanna rock
This article
Everywhere you go, girls wanna rock
can be opened in url
http://newsingluvies.blogspot.com/2013/02/everywhere-you-go-girls-wanna-rock.html
Everywhere you go, girls wanna rock
