The Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards: Garreth D’Mello of Dischordian

Dischordian (Pic by Niyati Dhuldhoya)

Guitarist and vocalist Garreth D’Mello of Dischordian spoke to ROLLING STONE INDIA about The Feni Farm Riot and the Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards.

“Calling the album that made perfect sense” said D’Mello “The ”˜feni’ bit, for that languid and woozy kind of peace I get when I’m in Goa. The ”˜riot’ bit because of that undercurrent of violence that runs beneath the skin of the album. The album is a weave of both, though the overall effect is one of calm. We wanted a very intimate, stripped-down feel to it, with a kind of lo-fi, unpolished sound. I think we’ve managed to achieve that.”

The album makes the interspersion of music and lyric the center of its feel. “A song like ”˜One of Those Days’ is like that, just so lyrically and melodically concise ”“ almost as if we’d distilled it to its purest form. On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got ”˜Lover.’ We didn’t know where on earth we were going with that till the end – and then we loved it.”

So who will win big at the JD Rock Awards this year? “Well, I’m a Pentagram fan. I bought and really liked Bloodywood, but their previous album was miles better. Also, I’m still in the process of listening to Menwhopause’s Easy, but so far I’m loving it. I can’t wait to hear the rest of it!”

Regrettably, D’mello won’t be able to attend this year’s awards. “Unfortunately (and fortunately) I’ll be off touring with Split [D’mello’s other band] and won’t be able to make it. The rest of the guys will definitely be there, though. They’re really looking forward to it ”“ and, of course, to all the whiskey”, he laughs.

Vote for your favourite band, song and album of the year at www.jdrockawards.com

Interviewed by Saumyaa Vohra