An electric musical extravaganza was on display in Mumbai earlier this month when the South Side Story Fest took to the stage. One of many outstanding performers at the event, Thaikkudam Bridge stood out as a shining example of musical genius and captivated the audience with their mesmerizing performance. The band once again underlined why they are considered one of the most avant-garde and dynamic artists in the Indian music scene with their signature blend of genres and infectious energy.
We had an exclusive chat backstage with the band members after they played South Side Story this month and all things musical. We discussed the band’s growth, the iconic songs over the years, the artists and the band’s goals for the future.
Excerpts from the interview:
What inspired the formation of Thaikkudam Bridge, the band and how did the journey escalate?
Actually, this would be a one-time thing. We were making songs for a television show on Kappa TV called Music Mojo. We all came together for it and we thought it would end there. But then we started getting calls and two or three months after it was released. We all realized that we were all musicians at the end of the day. Up until then we were all busy with our own solo careers, like playing sessions and stuff. So after this we thought we would try it together as a band and that’s how Thaikkudam Bridge was born.
Who do you share some of your musical tastes and influences with? What impact have they had on the band’s music?
There are a few of us, like myself and Ashok, who love rock music. Others like film music, others like modern Hindustani music. Some like hip-hop. That’s why we have all kinds of influences and that’s why we’re a multi-genre band.
Your music combines different genres. How would you describe the unique sound and style that Thaikkudam Bridge produces?
Basically, we have six instrumentalists. The instruments basically consist of two guitars, a bass, a drum and keys, making it a western rock band. In addition, the violin gives an Indian touch. The most important thing is that we have six or seven singers who bring their own style. Two of them are disciples of Rashid Khan. Some are proficient in Hindustani and can sing well. So that’s why we have a wide range of genres. But actually the band is based on rock.’
Fish Rock was the breakthrough song for Thaikkudam Bridge. Was there an inspiration behind this swagger and how did it impact the band’s journey?
That was actually a very big breakthrough. This is completely based on his Govind’s fishing fetish. Like he likes fish and the doctor said he has cholesterol and he can’t eat fried fish, which was his favorite. So this was based on the frustration of not being able to eat the fish that he gave to the world. This is the interesting story behind how Fish Rock was born.
Your song ‘Navarasam’ is known for its social and political commentary. Can you shed light on the message behind this song and the role of music in addressing important issues?
Navarasa is a tribute to the art of Kathakali and is a kind of dying art these days. That is the idea behind the song that we should preserve our traditional arts like Kathakali which is essentially like oppression. It’s about suppressing different types of art forms, philosophies, ideas and it’s about rising above it all and expressing that to the world. Nowadays, young people barely have an attention span of five seconds. It is difficult for these types of art forms to survive. For example, Kathakali starts around 2 or 3 am and continues until 6 am until sunrise.
What is the future direction for the Thaikkudam Bridge? Are there any upcoming projects, albums, shows that fans can really look forward to?
We are currently working on an EP and there are some other interesting collaborations we are looking forward to.
As someone who was truly moved by your song “Nostalgia,” when can we fans expect a second?
Nostalgia isn’t actually an album. It’s one video with four songs, tuned as a medley. Actually, we released a second one in 2016 or 2015. And to be honest, Thaikkudam Bridge actually evolved after that. So I mean, we don’t want to do anything by force. We love to express what we are currently feeling. So Music Mojo would be a one-time thing. Then it went crazy and we did a sequel in Music Mojo 3. Then as a band we have to do original things. So we released Theevandi and other songs. We then released the entire album Navarasa in 2020. Then we’re looking for an EP and we don’t have any specific idea that we want to do nostalgia or that we should do other things. We don’t have such special ideas and we don’t actually think that far ahead. But we believe music should be spontaneous. We should be able to express the emotions we feel now.
Can you give some tips to aspiring musicians and fans looking to break into the music industry?
Advice to Musicians I mean, personally I would say just do it for fun. Do what you love; don’t do it for other reasons because there is no point in doing it for money or fame because in the end it doesn’t really matter.
