Know Something Relevant...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formed in 2002 This Band also doubles up as a professional basketball team.

THE BAND
Something Relevant is a Mumbai-based jam band. The band consists of an eclectic ensemble, with a line up that is never constant, it includes a saxophonist, a percussionist and a classical pianist.

The band members, are from different parts of the city with different backgrounds.They have evolved over the years into integral elements of a motley musical ensemble that communicates almost telepathically. The band maintains that the flexible 'jamming' can be done because they all are good friends and know what each other is

STR has had the incredible pleasure of working and performing with anumber of amazing musicians. Some frequently appear as guests at shows.

Alphabetically,

• Amar - tenor saxophone, baby sax, clarinet
  
• Anup - electronics, keyboards
• Anuraag - hindustani vocals
• Ashaita - vocals
• Jonathan - synths, keyboards
• Mac - acoustic guitar
• Sanaya - Keyboards, Organ, Melodion
• Shirish - violin, steel flute
• Spaz - vocals, guitar and inspiration
• Vikas - drums, percussion, loops

‘STR’ as it is more popularly known, is a constant in the live music scene of Mumbai. Apart from the popular nightclub and pub circuits, STR has been performing at self promoted live concerts too.

 

STR Music

The 'Jam band' is famous for jumping genres and switching musical styles during songs, coupled with their on-stage theatrics, makes their live shows highly unpredictable and fun.

Varied influences have armed Something Relevant with a large arsenal of musical styles at their disposal, ranging from reggae, bossa nova, blues and swing to rap, jazz, rock and everything in between. STR has carved out a new genre, or a lack of genre, as it may be, called ‘Urban Fusion'.

Emotion and ‘feel’ play an important part, however, the fun aspect is not ignored. Seven creative sparks have a ball each time an idea or musical concept pops up. They are constantly experimenting with different genres; ‘Harry Mole’ is the complex, story-based opus, while ‘Happy People’ is an acoustic pop sing-along. ‘In the Kitchen’ is humour heavy, while ‘Why?’ asks questions about faith, something all of us can relate to.

Their songs are distinctly original, engaging and refuse to be slotted into categories.

See the Lyrics page !

 

Relevant History For Dummies...

Gig List

Here's a list of some the shows that we have done since our inception.
We have done numerous shows in 2003-05 that went undocumented. However, ALL of our shows post 2006 are documented in the archives section with videos, audio and reviews available.

1. Malhar 2002. St Xaviers College. aug 03
2. 'Kites for Peace' festival, Priyadarshini Park, Mumbai. oct 03
3. Jazz by the Bay nov 03
4. Thespo '03, NCPA experimental (with Sidd Coutto) nov 03
5. Celebrate Bandra! Bandra Reclamation Promenade, Mumbai. nov 03
6. Jazz by the Bay Christmas Day! dec 03
7. International Youth Forum (a part of the World Social Forum), Don Bosco School, Mumbai. jan 04
8. Razzberry Rhino::Double Bill with Sledgehammer. jun 04
9. Malhar 2004. St Xaviers College. aug 04
10. Razzberry Rhino:: STR with Zephyr and Seguey aug 04
11. Campus Rock Idols 2004. sept 04
12. Gateway of India, World Womens Day oct 05
13. Thespo '04, NCPA experimental dec 04
14. Students Working Against Tobacco : Live and Loud @emdi college, Bandra oct 04
15. Jazz by the Bay CRAZY CROWD and COMEBACK Show! with Anuraag, Jonathan, Shirish and Sucheta. photos jun 05
16. Malhar 2005. aug 05
17. Ghetto (with Shirish on violin/flute), Mumbai. aug 05
18. Jazz by the Bay, Pune sept 05
19. Jazz by the Bay (first instance of "In the Kitchen") sept 05
20. Grand Hyatt Hotel nov 05
21. Celebrate Bandra! Carter Road amphitheatre. photos nov 05
22. Campus Rock Idols 2005 (with Jonathan), Bandra Kurla grounds. oct 05
23. Jazz by the Bay (Vikas' goodbye show) dec 05
24. STR goes to Baroda !! (first show with JJ) feb 06
25. Jazz by the Bay apr 06
26. Razzberry Rhino:: "Whole Lotta Rock" photos may 06
27. Malhar 2006. aug 06
28. "4/4 and more!" Live at YB Chavan auditorium, Mumbai. photos aug 06
29. Razzberry Rhino :: "sub-culture '06" sept 06 see photos
30. Leander Paes' Welcome Home! show, Taj Wellington Mews photos sept 06 see photo
31. Hard Rock Cafe, Mumbai oct 06
32. Seijo and the Souldish. nov 06
33. Hawaiian Shack, Colaba : Bombay Rock Association Re-Launch show! review nov 06
34. Jazz by the Bay nov 06
35. STR JAM @ Razz dec 06
36. Thespo '06, NCPA Experimental dec 06
37. Our lady of Dolours festival (Wadala) dec 06
38. Henry Tham's (Blues night) Jan 07 see photos
39. Jazz by the bay apr 07
40. Henry Thams (Acoustica) apr 07
41. Razzberry Rhino apr 07
42. Jazz by the bay may 07
43. Zenzi may 07 see photos
44. Ravindra Natya Mandir may 07 see photos
45. Planet M, Andheri june 07
46. Bangalore Golf Club july 07
47. Opus, Bangalore july 07
48. Take 5, Bangalore july 07
49. Brew Bar sept 07
50. Military World Games, Mumbai oct 07
51. Jazz by the Bay nov 07
52. Alliance Francais, Bangalore nov 07
53. Opus, Bangalore nov 07
54. Take 5, Bangalore nov 07
55. Cathedral School, Mumbai nov 07
56. Henry Thams dec 07
57. Mocha dec 07
58. High Spirits Cafe, Pune dec 07
59. St Andrews Auditorium, Mumbai dec 07
60. Hanging Gardens, Mumbai videos jan 08
61. Jazz by the Bay, Mumbai jan 08
62. Bandra Bandstand, Mumbai videos jan 08
63. Blue Frog, Mumbai jan 08 videos
64. Lands End Amphitheatre, Mumbai Festival jan 08
65. Kayos Festival, Mumbai feb 08
66. Bandra Bandstand, Mumbai feb 08
67. Kala Ghoda Festival , Mumbai feb 08
68. High Spirits Cafe, Pune feb 08

 

 

Press Clips

Here are some articles on us that have appeared in the newspapers.

• Article about the band in the DNA newspaper page 1 page 2 sept '06
• ::sub culture:: review in the Outlook oct '06 page 1
• Sax in the City, Time Out Mumbai page 1 nov '06
• Tom Koshy reviews "Whole Lotta Rock", JAM magazine page 1 page 2 may '06
• Our Jazz show reviewed in the Mumbai Mirror snippet by Alison Saldhana.may 07
  ( Thanks Alison, you the best!!! )
• Article on STR in the Sunday Mid-Day ! snippet - Thanks Komal..may 07
• Tanmay and Stuart get interviewed by Smita DeSouza from Femina Girl page 1
• Mumbai Mirror's Gig Guide. by Alison Saldanha. .may 07
• Review of the Ravindra Natya Mandir Showin the Indian Express by Paroma Mukherjee
• An articlein the DNA from the Ravindra Show by Shridevi Keshavan .may 07
• Hindustan Times reviews the music scene in May featuring Channel [V] 's Launch Pad & The Ravindra show. .may 07

The Gear

The band Members use the following gear ::

Stuart uses a 5 string Ibanez SG205 and Ernie Ball strings

Tanmay uses a Greg Bennett Signature hollow body and also a Fender Strat('Stop the War') with Korg, Line 6, Dunlop pedals, D'Addario strings

Aalok uses Chateau Congas, Latin Percussion cowbells, Remo bongos, tablas, timbales and various other percussion including chick eggs and nearby objects

Ryan uses a Yanigasawa & Yamaha saxophones and Vandoren reeds

Mac uses a custom Lakewood acoustic(only 2,000 a year are made; Dave Matthews has the same guitar) and Fishman electronics

JJ uses Mapex drums, Zildjian cymbals, Chancellor stands, Vic Firth sticks and hot-rods

Luis uses a Korg Triton and a Yamaha Clavinova Acoustic Piano.

Other Products that We Enjoy :

Leh-Berry juice, Malvani, Britannia berry pulao, Furtados, Energee, Cutting, Pani-Puri (outside Wadia hospital), Garcias pizza(2 for 250!), Candies, Alf Farms' Smoked and Herbed Chicken .