Goa has time and again proved that great artists arise from this small state and has its own number of very talented musicians who play different musical instruments that are smooth on the ear. These musicians perform for select shows and hardly expose their music for the whole of Goa. Most of the musicians make a living on their music and are as good as any other international artist. Unfortunately there is no proper platform to showcase this talent to a wider audience. Taking this fact into consideration, Indigo 91.9 FM is set to launch ‘Indigo Goa Grooves’ a show that will feature exclusively Goan artists
This two hour long show on air will make its debut on July 29, 2012. The show was conceived and produced by Colin D'Cruz, director of Jazz Goa. “Colin D’Cruz was in talks about this show for a very long time and we finally decided to go ahead giving it a two hour slot for the entire year. The only criterion to be featured on the show is that the artist has to record the song with Colin D’Cruz. The show will feature songs which are recorded in his studio in Sangolda. Each show will feature at least 15 new songs and interviews of two Goan artists. For the debut show, Colin will interview Subhangi Joshi and Chrystal Farrell of Channel V, Viva fame,” says Adwait Desai, Branch Head of Indigo 91.9 FM, Panjim.
“There are no limitations of age or genres, artists can get airplay and if their songs are liked, listeners can request them over email or logging on to our face book page,” says Adwait, “All the compositions will be at Indigo 91.9 for repeat requests. The music will be recorded and played during the live show but they are done with a great standard.”
Adwait believes that this show will greatly benefit Goan musicians. “This is a nice platform and since Indigo is the first channel Goan youth tune into for international songs, it is reaching out to mass audience. Usually, these musicians are accustomed to play at gigs or at a concert where only a few who attend can hear their music. Here everyone can listen to them and those who are hunting for great artists for their shows can also spot the talent,” says Adwait optimistically.
Colin D’Cruz is all excited for the debut show and his first radio show. “This will be the first time in India that an exclusive show will be online only for local artists. In the cities too, we have international songs featuring artists from London and USA. I hope this show can inspire a trend like the West to feature local artists. It was a big issue convincing the heads at Indigo and they finally allowed us a two hour slot for an entire year. Most of the artists in the West, sell their music through airplay which unfortunately doesn’t happen in India. I have been recording for four years now and I have worked with over 50 artists from complete beginners to highly accomplished singers and musicians. The youngest singer I have worked with is a 15 year old boy from Panjim. When most of the singers approach me, I only ask them for their best song. If it is good enough for the radio then I record it. For most of the artists, I record their music for free and sometimes I even bring in musicians for free to accompany the singers.”
Colin considers the show as his way of giving back to the music community. “I have gained a lot from music in the last 30 years of my career and this is my way of giving back. The artists are not spending anything and are coming out with their own original compositions to play it for the Goan audience.” A few of the musicians who will be featured in the program are Minelli Pinto, Aileen Carneiro, Carlos Gracias, Bonny Remedios, Yvonne Gonsalves, Chrystal Farrell, Sonia Sirsat, Varun Cavalho, Carlos Gonsalvas and many more.
(The two hour show will be launched on July 29, 2012 on Indigo 91.9 FM every Sunday evening at 5pm with Colin D’Cruz as the host.)
