Describing their music as “Swatantra Rock” – loosely, Freedom Rock – Indian guitar band Eka mix tight classic riffing with influences from Bollywood, sufi and South Asian traditions.
It’s a killer sound which saw the trio win Best Group at the Artist Aloud Music Awards in both 2011 and 2012, in the early years of existence. Building on this buzz, Eka have now clocked more than 2,300 concerts in 17 countries – and on Friday, April 29, add the UAE to that list, with a show at The Music Room for promoters (and now-artist managers) Rock Nation.
Support on the night comes from MTV Next Big Thing runner ups Dhruv, Nepalese Bollywood rockers Mulghar, and scene stalwarts Point of View.
Eka is made up of Delhi scene veterans Benjamine Benny Pinto, 49, Hitesh Rikki Madan, 37 and Lokesh Madan, 37, who responded to questions posed by The National jointly via email.
It’s your UAE debut – what do you expect, and what can we expect from you?
Expect soar throats and sore feet. We are super-excited about Eka’s debut gig in Dubai and we want to make it truly memorable for all. It’s going to be a musical treat where we will be playing a mix of our originals, popular Bollywood, sufi, classic rock, retro, a few Indian regional language songs, and popular songs for our friends from Pakistan and Bangladesh as well.
Describe your sound in five words?
Music beyond music, time and boundaries ….in two words “Swatantra Rock”.
How, when and why did you guys get together?
Eka was formed back in 2010 when we three met and jammed together for the very first time. Benny and Hitesh, after having been integral members of Euphoria for 18 and 14 years respectively, had just parted ways with their previous band and Lokesh was working as a general manager at a multinational company. Each member was at a place in life where they wanted to further their potential as an individual. We saw hope and tremendous potential in the music that this team could create together. Eka was meant to happen.
What is the state of India’s rock scene in 2016?
The Indian rock scene is quite niche, but it has always been there. There is incredible talent out there. Bollywood music still rules the scene and movies like Rock On!! and Rockstar have helped the overall rock scene in India – bands have gained wider and more mainstream acceptance over the years. A lot of rockers are now part of the Bollywood music industry, and with the Rock On!! sequel set for release later this year, one could expect a fresh dosage of interest, enthusiasm and wider acceptance for rock as a genre, and rock bands in general in India.
Your five favourite artists in the world, and one guilty pleasure?
Freddie Mercury, AR Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Journey and The Beatles.
And one guilty pleasure?
Food!
Where do you see the band in two years?
We hope to release a lot of our original songs and new music starting this year. Expect a lot of new content and extensive touring – you’ll certainly be seeing and hearing a lot more of Eka in the UAE over the next two years.
Sounds like a promise to us.
Eka perform at The Music Room on Friday April 29, doors 9pm, Dh100.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
