Exclusive Stream: May Island Get Romantic on ‘Colours In Between’

May Island. Photo: Courtesy of the band

Delhi-based May Island started out as Vishnu Kumar on guitars and Aaron Almeida on drums in 2014 with a refreshing instrumental sound that combined the best of rock and metal on their debut EP Eleonora, but the sound now takes a sharp turn. As is usually the case, their newfound alternative pop-rock direction can be traced to a lineup change. The band has now doubled in size, with Craig Godinho on bass and Nakul Kumar on guitar [both Almeida’s bandmates in Delhi hard rock/heavy metal act Third Eye]. “We just feel stronger,” says Kumar about the expansion.

Their new single “Colours In Between,” is a soft, romantic number, creating an atmosphere that immediately separates it from Eleonora’s lush, layered sound. Says Kumar, “It’s a very simple song, and draws upon really simple experiences that anyone goes through, like falling for a person.” With more instruments on board, the band also added vocals, roping in a friend of the band Apoorv Dabral on “Colours In Between.”

Although not a full time member of the band, Kumar says, “Apoorv is going to be a very significant part of it, he’s going to be coming with us live.” In addition to being a part of more band competitions and gigs in Delhi, the band recently made their Bengaluru debut, playing three shows in a week’s time, including a set at the Blue Frog.

Although they don’t have immediate plans of writing an album, there’s more new material in progress, exploring their new sound. Says Kumar, “We already have a couple of tracks that we’ve created, we just have to hit the studio and get them produced well now.”

Listen to “Colours In Between”

Video artwork: Sonali Zohra