Airport is a Hindi-Indie band that was formed by singer-songwriter Arijit Datta in December 2009. Already a staple at college festivals and gigs in Mumbai and Pune, the earthy, bluesy tone of the band speaks to the angst of a young generation searching for its identity. In early 2009, Arijit was already penning songs when he met Vinay Lobo, who played the guitar with a style and flair that he could associate with. Vinay had also just chucked in a corporate job in Oman and moved to Mumbai to pursue his passion for music. Arijit recounts, “His kind of playing of acoustic blues appealed to me. I asked him to start a band, and we began writing songs.”
Although the desire to pursue music was inspired by passion, the opportunity to pursue it came about thanks to Airport the changing Indian entertainment industry. Vinay says, “We came into the music scene at the right time – Zohran and I moved back from Oman because we saw an opportunity here.” Arijit explains, “The biggest change in music has been in the expression itself in music. Ten years back, bands were only interested in playing covers. There was not much expression; there was no need, no desperation, the urgency to have your own voice. Now, the audience has also changed and wants to hear what you have to offer. They don’t want to hear covers of Metallica or Bon Jovi or Henderson; one can hear these artists live. Now people are even expressing themselves in regional languages. That empowerment of selfbelief has happened.”
Still, there are many challenges that face the popular band today. Arijit says, “The biggest challenge is to keep the band together and to have consistent players. Everyone plays with different bands all the time. To sound cohesive, to sound tight, you have to be at one place in lockdown, rough it out each day.” Zohran, one half of the recently launched musical duo Esho Funi, says, “As a musician today, you can’t only be a singer. We all play with other bands, produce music for ads and so on.”
The next goal for the band is to cut an album to get more exposure. Arijit says, “We have not cut an album, so not too many people know about us. People know about us through word of mouth. I think it would make a big difference if we cut an album and if people actually know our songs before coming to a venue. We have been playing for about two years now and our songs are pretty tight. Now if we go into the studio and record, we will be in a good spot.”
The band seems to defy any categorisation. Zohran explains, “With the evolution of electronic music, I feel that a lot of old barriers are breaking down. Like dub step is hip hop and rap and soul. You don’t need to know, unless you are shelving music. We feel that it’s up to people as in how they classify us. Sometimes when people ask us what kind of music we play, all we can say is ‘Good music!’ For lack of a better word, we get labelled as a Hindi rock band, but that doesn’t stop the music.”
Arijit agrees: “Music goes beyond languages, which is why we include a Hemant Kumar classic Bengali song cover in our songs. As a band, we have no inhibitions about playing any language. That’s what you need to remember about music; you shouldn’t box yourself in as a musician into any one type or genre of music which will make you be cool. Like, ‘I am this kind of musician and I should play this kind of music so I’ll be accepted and appear cool.’ Music is not about appearing cool; it’s so huge and vast, it’s all about celebrating it. It connects people, it communicates. And that’s how I think people also come closer to you.” Well, we just can’t wait for the album!
BAND MEMBERS
Arijit Datta Vocals
Vinay Lobo Guitar
Zohran Miranda Guitar
Varun Venkit Drums
Amit Ahuja Bass
Volume 1 Issue 11
