Exclusive Premiere: Glenn Fernandes’ Slick Instrumental Single ‘ICE’
The Nineties rock ‘n’ roller, who is also one of Bollywood’s most sought-after touring artists, returns to his rock roots
Fernandes has been a part of the erstwhile Mumbai bands Purple Fire, Covenant and Sur
Whether you are a rock fanatic from Mumbai who still can’t stop gushing over the glory days of the Rang Bhavan concerts or a Bollywood buff tuned into the latest on the Hindi film music front, chances are that you have watched Glenn Fernandes quietly working his magic on the guitar on a stage.
A veteran of India’s rock revolution, Fernandes has charted a remarkable journey over four decades, establishing himself as one of the leading virtuoso guitarists in the country. From erstwhile Mumbai band Purple Fire to the formidable rock collective Covenant and fusion band Sur, the celebrated guitarist experimented with a diverse plethora of global sounds while sharing stages with the likes of legendary musician Bryan Adams (at the latter’s maiden gig in India at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium), Indian pop sensation Armaan Malik, playback powerhouse Amaal Malik and a host of other artists.
On a break from non-stop touring, Fernandes returns to his roots with his debut single “ICE.” Rendering electric riffs, fluid melodies and borderless fusion on the six-string, Fernandes now finds himself at the peak of his legacy. “ICE” is a sparkling instrumental track that both embodies and reinforces the enduring spirit of our times.
Says Fernandes, “My music is all about what I am feeling at a particular point in time. It is those raw emotions that manifest themselves into my music. My hope and the reason for releasing this song right now is to have a calming effect on people’s lives, especially given the trying times the world is going through.”
Inspired by Ritchie Blackmore’s hard rock riffs as well as Earl Klugh’s jazz melodies, Fernandes’ artistry blurs sonic boundaries on “ICE.” Composed and produced by the guitarist, the five-minute-long track features piano and strings by Bosco Fernandez and bass by Wilson Kenneth Suchita. “ICE” was mixed and mastered by Jaidev Terphale and the video has been produced by Sheldon Pereira of Mumbai’s Snappyshell Studios.
Fernandes has been touring with India’s new-wave pop star Armaan Malik since 2016, even performing at Wembley’s iconic SSE Arena. Over the years, Fernandes has played and toured with vocalist/composer Keerthi Sagathia, Indian playback sensations Prakriti Kakar, Sukriti Kakar, Shruti Pathak and Amaal Mallik. Fernandes has also made appearances in episodes of MTV India’s classic Unplugged series.
Watch the music video for “ICE” below:
