Exclusive Stream: Nalin Vinayak’s Funk/Rock Offering ‘Silence on the Radio’
The New Delhi-based guitarist-composer enlists vocalist Mayank Mittal from pop-rock band Kapow! on the track
New Delhi guitarist-composer Nalin Vinayak. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
After the release of his 2020 prog-pop single “Silverline,” New Delhi-based guitarist-composer Nalin Vinayak found himself in one of his busiest phases. The musician went on to work as a producer and engineer for three artists, he authored a 25-page manual on modern practices in music production called Untold Secrets of Music Production and even auditioned as a background score composer for two films.
Now, Vinayak is ready with his latest single, the funk/rock “Silence on the Radio,” which can be streamed exclusively on Rolling Stone India below.
After working on five versions of the song, Vinayak finally settled on the one he liked the most. He says, “I knew I wanted to go back to my roots as a guitarist on this one, and there’s a lot of riff playing, lush ambient tones and a quirky solo that will tickle the ears of guitar enthusiasts on this one.” The musician also brought synths to the forefront that make for a blissful listen. “I guess the exploration of the electronic side of production was a massive learning experience,” he says.
To bring the song to life, Vinayak called upon his band members from his live project Nalin Onstage; bassist Aradhya Khurana and drummer Manik Oswal. Mayank Mittal from New Delhi pop-rock outfit Kapow! returns on vocal duties for this song too after also performing on “Silverline.” The guitarist says, “He has tremendous skill as a vocalist and he pairs that beautifully with emotion-based vocal impressions.”
“Silence on the Radio” is put together quite brilliantly with vocal syncopations, steady grooves, improvisational work as well as swift guitar playing. “The song is packed with intricate harmonic experimentation,” says Vinayak. The musician recorded the song entirely on his own at his Multimedia Studios in New Delhi and also produced, mixed and mastered it himself.
Looking ahead, Vinayak wants to get back into the live space and is also keen on having his music appear in a web series or film on an OTT platform. The musician also wants to get cracking on his sophomore album and plans on starting a pop duo with Mittal too. He says, “[I’m] expanding my studio business and working on more production and engineering-related assignments.”
Stream “Silence on the Radio” below. The song is out on streaming platforms on April 2nd.
