Cinema of Excess and Mahesh Raghunandan’s SE Asia Tour Documentary Launched

Just how enjoyable was indie/folk artists Cinema of Excess’ international debut? Guitarist-vocalist Anirudh Ravi says the trio secretly wish they would have liked to be in South East Asia when the coronavirus pandemic hit, so that they’d at least be stuck somewhere they made great memories.

Alongside fellow Bengaluru singer-songwriter Mahesh Raghunandan, they hit up Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam for six shows in 12 days for their Boarding Pass Tour last year. Put together by music and media company oaf. and shot by filmmaker Rahul Piljen, there’s now a five-part documentary series coming up, with the first part covering their Thailand adventures streaming below.

Putting the spotlight on their show in Bangkok, the first episode shows the artists (including keyboardist Rohan Kamath, plus sound engineer Prathik S.N.) and oaf. founder and tour manager Siddharth Nair in a bundle of excited nerves as they cover new ground. Cinema of Excess’ Anirudh adds, “I feel like the places we played at had music as a part of their culture for longer than India has had it, and live music felt like just one of the many things that makes a part of nightlife in general in South East Asia. Everyone there seemed to be in a constant festive mood.”

Nair for his part says that although the tour was not expansive, it created a sense of confidence in the artists that has been “incredible to watch.” He adds, “Everyone is growing leaps and bounds, and to be honest, no one seems too perturbed because of the pandemic and how that has taken away live gigs from us either.”

While Cinema of Excess are currently tracking their second EP, Nair is ramping up activities with oaf., including a management consultancy and working with a yet-to-be unveiled band called The Flying Turquoise Panthers. “The music for all five of the tour video episodes is written by The FTP,” Nair adds.

Watch part one of the Boarding Pass Tour documentary below.