The creative community in Goa is varied. Full of talent across
various fields, many have caught the attention of the country as well as in
certain cases around the world too. The entertainment industry in the state is
famous all over the country. Individual singers as well as bands have caught
the attention of visitors who frequent the state. Many of these artists can be
seen performing in various pubs that dot the landscape. As the state pulls
itself out of the aftermath of the variant of Covid 19, many singers and bands
are working on new material. Some have recorded them and released them to the
market and others are in the works.
Last week Varun Carvalho released a new
song called Hanv Goemkar which caught fire online. It received attention in the
state as well as Goans living in the rest of the country as well as those in
the UK, US, Canada and the Middle east. He said the song gave the Goan diaspora
a sense of belonging. He said “Now we have a Goan anthem that everyone is
singing. In two or three days we had around forty thousand viewers and that is
very encouraging”. Asked how he went about getting inspired to write his songs
and if Goa played a role in it he said “Goa has this creative vibe. Maybe it is
a combination of a few things like the laid back atmosphere. It has that vibe
that is conducive to thinking creatively. Nature plays its role as well as the
air, sea and mountains. You have to understand Goa is a state of mind”. Asked
what he intended to do in the near future he said he intended to release an
album with an Indian sound but infused with the reggae sound. He said “There is
no Indian sound on the international stage. I plan to infuse the reggae sound.
I want to take it around the world. One song is already ready called Chai Chai,
Coffee Coffee. To make our mark we need a new sound. In a couple of months we
will have the entire album ready. I have even talked to the Bob Marley family.
Keeping my fingers crossed.”
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Agnelo Mascarenhas who is a keyboardist and a full time musician
who does a lot of studio work said he was working on his own songs in English
and Hindi. He said “As part of a band, we flit across genres like pop, blues,
jazz and rock. We have two singers; the guy is from Assam who leans towards
rock and my wife who is the other singer who sings ballads”. Asked what
inspired him and did the surrounding ever have an effect on him; he said he
would get inspired anywhere. He said “Sometimes yes it is the surroundings and
I then just take the phone and start typing or humming a tune. Then later I can
sit and compose the music. Inspiration strikes when it strikes”.
One of the busiest musicians undoubtedly in the state, Colin d
Cruz has remained busy. He said “As far as composing is concerned my most
recent one is a blues number called ‘wokay’ featuring Usha Uthup. It premiered
on YouTube with 5000 views. The internet has helped me connect with musicians
from all over the world, collaborating with them raises the bar each time I
compose a song. My organisation Jazz Goa teamed up with a local events company
to produce world-class shows. Besides the best of local talent, Jazz Goa will
curate artistes from across India and around the world. It is, I believe a game
changer for Goa’s entertainment scenario. I have been busy without a doubt.”
Zubin Dcruz who is lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and violist
said he was busy composing music during the lockdown but now everything was on
hold as shows had commenced. He said “I have composed a couple of songs in
English which have been performed in pubs. These songs are about love and other
general topics”. Speaking about how he went about composing he said it was a
state of mind and what needed to be inspired to write lyrics or compose music.
That feeling he said could come anywhere and that sadly was not happening now
because they were busy doing shows. He said he was not complaining because they
had spent two years twiddling their thumbs.
Lester Rodrigues lead singer of A 26 said the band was now
planning to expand in size by bringing in three trumpeters. They intended to
bring in the big band sound. They had also composed a couple of songs which
would be released soon. Speaking about getting inspired he said they would get
inspired anywhere and all they needed now was time to sit down and plan and
work on it all. That was a little difficult because they were busy touring
around the country.
It
is obvious bands and individual performers are increasingly looking to craft
their own sound and tap a market that is now present all over the world.
