Stream: Former Rosemary Frontman Remixes Radiohead and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Achint Thakkar. Photo: Janak Shah

About two years ago, Achint Thakkar was the lanky, groovy guitarist of Mumbai psychedelic/progressive rock band Rosemary. He was messing around with a massive guitar effects pedalboard, twisting knobs and stomping pedals. It’s not too different now, because Thakkar is still twisting knobs, except it’s on synth pads and keying away on a music programming software on his computer.

His first solo EP, Reinventions [released on July 21st for free download], includes two remixes of two his favorite artists ”“ Brit alternative pioneers Radiohead [whose 2007 song “Reckoner” gets a Bollywood turnover] and Pakistani Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan [whom Thakkar gets into a posthumous jam with, adding lyrics and a dubstep vibe to Khan’s “Tere Bin Nahin Lagda”].

He explains his choice of artists, saying, “Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the few artists that has not only influenced my musical sensibilities but also my perception about life in general. As for Radiohead, I’m completely in awe of their artistry and creativity.”

Reinventions is a teaser towards the sound [inspired by world music, electronica and cinema scores] Thakkar has evolved into while pursuing a music course at Pyramind Media and Music Production School in San Francisco. His upcoming solo full-length album, Shalimar, is an eight-track offering and will be released by the end of the year.

As for his psychedelic project, Apu and the Dentist, with vocalist-guitarist Saurabh Roy [from punk rock band The Lightyears Explode], Thakkar says the new songs with Roy are “almost done” and new music is on the way.

Listen to Achint’s remix EP  Reinventions here