The Sri Lankan genre-fluid band The Soul concludes their India tour in Mumbai today. We speak to them about music, their travels and the island
Dave Roberts (centre) performs with the band during the tour
For this writer, the first mention of Sri Lanka brings to mind the wristy strength of Sanath Jayasuriya and the wiles of Mutthiah Muralitharan. But, the emerald isle is also home to a culture of music. The five-piece band, The Soul, is a product of that culture. They released their first album, Round & Around in 2018, followed by Enry Pete in 2020, and are on their third tour of India.
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“This is our first performance in Mumbai, though,” Khazim Miskin, guitarist for the band, reveals. They have enjoyed the stay and the attention, he adds. “People are very curious. In Colombo, if you walk into a bus with a guitar case, the driver would be unfussed. Here, people will stop you, ask what do you play,” Dave Roberts, lead vocalist, observes.
Khazim Miskin
Fluid in style
The answer to that question is not easy. Roberts shares, “We don’t really think of ourselves as a genre-specific band. If the five of us think it sounds good, then it is good enough.” Miskin remarks, “Our sound is different from the mainstream music in Sri Lanka. We sing in English about themes from the struggles of our country to depression and war. But it is fulfilling to us.” The band came together in 2015, led by Roberts and Miskin. They soon found Sarani Perera (guitar and keys), Uwindu Perera (guitar) and Divanka Weerasinghe (drums) to complete the set.
Nostalgia abound
Miskin explains that it has not been an easy journey. The music industry on the island is still in a nascent stage and struggling after years of conflict. “The independent music scene really took off in the late 2000s. But the trouble is that the infrastructure is in bad shape,” he admits. This has led to an ecosystem of cover bands and wedding bands. The band’s influences come from Indian, Middle-Eastern, European music, and the usual pop culture suspects. The island also revels in nostalgia. “In fact, there is a genre we like to call ‘bus music’. It consists of sad break-up and make-up songs played in buses across the country,” he laughs. Not too different from private buses belting out Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu hits in India, we remark.
Breaking out
It was this repetition that the band sought to escape. “We were sick of playing on the cover circuit,” Roberts says, adding that their first album was a reaction. “We decided to take some time and come back with songs. Slowly, we put them together to create a couple of singles,” he reminisces. The early years saw them lead with covers and perform a few singles to finish off.
“Soon we had enough originals to stop playing covers completely,” he states. Their style captures vibrant guitar play, choral substance and a touch of rock with Weerasinghe’s drums. But it is the emotional lyrics and themes that catch our eye. “Basically, we are a bunch of cry-babies,” Roberts mocks, adding that the music is both cathartic and healing for listeners. “For us, it evolves past catharsis during creation. But for listeners, the eventual redemption and optimism is relatable.” Something the island needs more of, we think. “We might sing of rosy things in the future, but right now, we want to address the pain around us,” he remarks.
Balancing act
With an EP under production, the band’s tour marks a successful post-pandemic return to Indian shores. The band is enjoying the challenge, Roberts says. “In India, they pay close attention to performances — our stagecraft, transitions and progressions. It is important to be tight. It’s very different to the island vibe of having fun,” he says, adding that it is the defining element. “We hope to play, have fun and see some friendly crowds. That’s why our live and production albums always sound different,” he concludes.
On: Today; 10 pm onwards
At: Bonobo, second floor, Kenilworth Plaza, Bandra West
Call: 619930030
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