Big Bang Blues Release Debut EP

Big Bang Blues Photo: Jay Handa, Vikram Bhalla

Formed in 2009, Delhi band Big Bang Blues are ready to release their debut EP, Bigger Than Blues, this month.  Their five-track EP hints at their ability to swing from the delta blues to some good ol’ rock-n-roll. Says the six-piece band’s vocalist Ipshita Roy, “We’ve been working on these tracks since we started playing. We had a lot of lineup changes, but the current lineup is one we’ve had for over a year. Hopefully our next album won’t take so long.”

Over the years, with multiple line-up changes, the six-piece band feels that unlike what their alliteration-heavy title suggests, they have evolved into a band that goes beyond the blues. “A new sound emerged every time there was a new addition to the line-up,” says Roy, who is also one of the founding members of the band.  The current line-up includes Roy on the vocals, Shivam Khare (keyboards), Sushant Thakur (guitar), Kapil Chhetri (slide guitar, harmonica), Rahul Sengupta (drums) and Devang Baheti(bass, backing vocals).

Though Big Bang Blues have been regulars on the gigging scene, the band is known more for their covers of songs by The Allman Brothers Band, Etta James and Chuck Berry than their originals. Some originals in the albums also sound like tributes to greats. For instance, the EP features their gig-friendly, Muddy Waters inspired bluesy number “Lovestruck Blues.” But the song gets a makeover in the album with their slide guitarist and harmonica player Kapil Chhetri bringing in a resonator guitar for the recording. “Most of our songs came about from our personal experiences. I wrote “Disrespected Blues” after a rough patch in my love life. The song is an anthem to women,” says Roy of the track on which she attempts an Aretha Franklin.

The band will tour Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Naukuchiatal this month to promote their EP. “We will play songs from the EP as well as covers of some old bluesy numbers,” says Roy, adding that their crowd pleasers like Chuck Berry’s “Riding Along My Automobile” and “Hound dog” will be part of their setlist. 

Recorded at Plug N’ Play studios run by Advaita keyboardist, Anindo Bose, Bigger Than Blues is priced at Rs 100.

 Track List for Bigger than Blues:

Bigger Than Blues album cover

1. Disrespected Blues
2. Junky Stone
3. Sweet Bridge
4. Lovestruck Blues
5. Moonless Nights

 Big Bang Blues EP Tour:

Blue Frog Mumbai”” October 17, Entry: Rs 300

B flat, Bengaluru ”“ October 20^th, Entry: Rs 300

The Blend, Chennai ”“ October 21^st , Entry: Free

Aquajam, Naukuchiatal ”” October 27^th , details here.