At 8 in the evening, Ranjini Jose has a tired voice. She must have been practicing all day, and she will be doing that a lot these days. EKA The Band will finally be formed with its upcoming performance in Kochi and Ranjini will sing, in her words, “everything I have always wanted to sing”.
“Ekam evam advitiyam – that’s where Eka comes from. The universe is one, music is also one. I follow this, it is something I spiritually believe in. I come from different faiths (parents belonging to different religions), and they have not pushed any religious belief in me. So I believe in everyone. I tattooed Eka on my hands and am starting the band the same time,” says the singer, who would also turn an occasional actor in films.
The band sings covers of film songs in different languages, English rock and indie pop, Hindustani ghazals and Carnatic fusion. “All the musicians with me are acclaimed artistes. Ralphin Stephen, the pianist, has been featured in a number of music shows on TV. Akhil Babu, the drummer, also part of the band Madras Mail, is a very talented artiste and is also the youngest member in the band. Ashwin Aryan is on the lead guitar and Samuel Jacob is on the bass.”
Ranjini, the vocalist, says, “It is going to be a non-competitive band, it is not to compete with anyone else. It is for a feel-good factor that we formed the band. But we will perform and tour like any other band, try bring out some good music.”
They haven’t decided the genres they would compose in, but Ranjini knows it will be happy music. “There is a lot of independent music today and it is good to see that. But most of it either become folk songs or else soft music. I want to make a very happy song,” she adds.
Her website will also be launched on November 11.
