New Intimate Gig Series to Kick Off at Mumbai’s Cotton Press Studio

Spud in the Box. Photo: Parizad D

Hot on the heels of Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne’s ludicrous meet-and-greet comes a local stab at putting bands and audiences in an intimate setting. A new gig series, Sessions at the Press, started by guitarist and producer Tanmay Bhattacherjee, along with his bandmates from pop act Baycity Lights, gives fans a chance to interact with Indian bands and artists, without the hassle of sweaty bodies or stone-faced bouncers to kill the mood. Says Bhattacherjee, “It’s an indie mehfil [gathering], so to speak.” The sessions, which will take place at Cotton Press Studio in central Mumbai, is a space to showcase the city’s younger acts as well, according to Bhattacherjee. Although the guitarist says there is no concrete plan in terms of the frequency of the gig series, he adds, “We want to get the bands talking about their songs, see what the audience genuinely wants.”

The first session, which kicks off on May 25th, features pop rock band Spud In The Box visiting the studio. Selected from the band’s Facebook page, fifteen fans will meet the band this Sunday at the Cotton Press Studio. Meanwhile, Bhattacherjee already has his questions ready: “Why would you write a song called ”˜Good Way to Die’? Was something up with you, man?” Guitarist Hartej Sawhney says the band aren’t particularly certain what some of their own lyrics mean. But it’s a first for Spud In The Box as well, who have usually drawn in large crowds for shows, but will now be in the same room as just over a dozen fans. Says guitarist Hartej Sawhney,“It’s a different kind of rush, from being up on stage to just jamming with a couple of people who really care.”The guitarist also jokes, “It’s supposed to be intimate and all. That means Joshua [Singh, drummer] has to be silent. I don’t know if that’s going to work.”

The Sessions from the Press gigs will also be recorded on video and will be available online later this month.