It’s getting to a stage when the world of musicians, without performances and shows or even albums to work on are getting restless. All they have is the energy of the past. And to go through the present, it appears to be a good idea to relive the past

Now an attempt is being made to bring them all together in a group.

Bands in Goa, a group on the online platform WhatsApp aims to record the history of bands in the state. It is an attempt to help musicians interact with each other especially in a time when the virus in s running wild putting an end to the live shows, at least for the time being. Musicians, it was felt could boost the morale of each other given the strange times.

The group was initiated by writer and publisher Frederick Noronha in an attempt to record history. Reggie Goveas a singer from 86-87 said he was also into designing now with his music career at a standstill. He said “I was invited by Nilankur Das of Assagao known for his Monday Fix of discussions (now online) on various topics) and it is a wonderful idea. I am surviving on my savings which is not surviving. Our lives in the future will be very different as musicians. We will have to marry digital technology into our live shows because the sops will ensure people will not be able to congregate in large numbers. This group is a very good idea”.        

Savio Noronha, a well-known MC who was also invited by Noronha said he had done a lot to record bands in the past and had done a series in 2004 which was later commended in the Limca Book of Records in 2006. He said he was happy to be invited to this group and to play a role. Renowned bassists Colin D Cruz said he was happy to be part of any group that would help music in Goa. He said “More than Goa is a destination for its beaches, I strongly believe it is a destination for music. It attracts musicians from all over the country and the world. Marina Xavier sings here in Goa every year. This group will connect musicians all over the place, we will be able to learn more about the history which will help us all”.         

Valerio Jorge who used performed in hotels and has now retired to being an audiophile said it would be nice to exchange notes with people who used to perform during his time. He said” No one knows me now but then quite a few people followed my career. I used to do karaoke seven days a week and I stopped it all in 2017. This group is a nice idea”.

 Noted musician Sameer Kapadi who was once part of Silk route said the group was an excellent idea. He said “We are like angels with one wing and need the help of other musicians to fly again. This group will help us connect with other musicians.”

This group may have come for someone like Emmanuel Antao who has been a singer for twenty-two years. As a freelancer he has sung songs in various languages which helped him build a fancy house but now with everything at a standstill, he is now selling fish on the road. He said “I pick up fish from a company that exports fish to Malaysia and sells it. It is fresh and devoid of chemicals. During my days as a singer, it was not unusual to earn as much as Rs. 70,000 per night from corporate events and now I earn around Rs 1000 a day, that is when I do. That’s life”.

 Like him, there are many in the state looking for inspiration and this online group could do them a world of good.