Faridkot To Release New Single “Bijli”

Faridkot’s current lineup: (L-R) Rajarshi Sanyal, IP Singh, Nikhil Rufus Raj and Sahil Mendiratta

It’s been more than a year since Delhi rock band Faridkot started work on their second album, which marks a change in sound from pop rock, as heard on their first album Ek [2011], to more psychedelic rock sound. As vocalist IP Singh had mentioned to us earlier, “We stopped worrying about ”˜What if my heart breaks?’ Let’s talk about the trees and the stars and the seas, and how we are one species.” Whatever it is that has made Faridkot go the psychedelic route, we’d like them to share some of that stash or atleast tell us where to score it.

Their new single “Bijli,” talks about a magician in the sky making the stars shine. Again, sharing stash seems like a very good idea. Their 10-track album, tentatively titled Project Udan Tashtari, will be mixed by Christopher Fudurich, who has previously worked with indie rock band Nada Surf, prog rock band RX Bandits and Australian alt rock band Taxiride. In addition to working on the album, Faridkot are also crowdfunding their music videos. Says Singh, “The only important thing these days is that you keep rolling out content.” The second Faridkot album is slated to release in the first week of April, with a launch tour in the works.

Following the departure of their keyboardist and manager Akshay Raheja and bassist Gavin Pacheco in July 2012, Faridkot went on to recruit additional vocalists, guitarists, and settled on a keyboard player, Akshat Taneja, from prog metal band Guillotine, who joined last year. While Taneja is the only permanent addition to the band, there are a host of collaborators on Faridkot’s new album ”“fusion band Advaita’s saarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan plays on “Aaina,” while singer Aditi Singh Sharma adds vocals on “Gulz.” Other contributors include vocalists Sonam Gaychen Wangdi and Subhadra Kamath [from electronica act Tankbund] and Bengaluru-based trumpet-player Vaibhav Sharma. Says Singh, “It’s nice to work with young folks, because they remind us how crazy this profession is and the need to keep it fresh.”

Project Udan Tashtari Tracklist:

1. Â “Bijli”
2. “Maahi Ve”
3. “Nats”
4. “Jats”
5. “Faridkot”
6. “Titliyaan”
7. “Suno”
8. “Aaina”
9. “Laparwah”
10. “Gulz”

Listen to a teaser to Faridkot’s new single “Bijli”