Conversational Brilliance with the Oddballers ft. Kraken
In this episode of Stalwarts Of Music with Aditya Veera—Season 2, presented in collaboration with the Oddball Festival, Aditya introduces the extraordinary guests Moses and Suyash from the band Kraken. The band, consisting of Vipul Verma (vocals), Moses Koul (guitar), Reuben Das (keys), Divij Kapoor (bass), and Suyash Gabriel (drums), is renowned for its musical journey, spanning from the debut EP Lush to their latest album, Club Namaste.
The interview kicks off with Moses sharing his excitement about their performance at the Oddball Festival. Aditya delves into Kraken's essence, probing their fundamental concepts and passions. Suyash emphasizes the band's evolution across different phases, focusing on originality, aesthetics, visuals, and stage presence. Moses adds that Kraken nurtures creativity, urging each member to infuse their distinct perspectives into their music. Their focal point lies in the joy of creation rather than adhering to fleeting trends.
Aditya praises Kraken's diverse album, Club Namaste, which seamlessly blends multiple genres—a rarity in India. He raises an intriguing query about how fusion music sometimes risks becoming outdated or driven solely by novelty.
Moses tackles this question, stressing the importance of allowing ideas to naturally evolve. He highlights their track Item Song as an example—an organic fusion of Punjabi elements that resulted in a joyful and unique sound. Moses underscores their commitment to authenticity and how fusion concepts organically evolve during their creative process.
Aditya delves deeper, asking if Kraken's primary musical goal is to bring happiness to their audience. Moses clarifies that while they aim to make people dance and create groovy music, they also strive to evoke a spectrum of emotions. Suyash emphasizes their willingness to incorporate what feels natural to them, even if it challenges current trends. Their central focus remains on enjoying their music and pursuing what resonates with them creatively, prioritizing their vision over external expectations.
Shifting gears, Aditya explores Kraken's choices in music gear and their approach to live performances. Suyash highlights the importance of selecting the right drum soundscape tailored to the musical context. They refrain from imposing specific gear choices, opting for what best complements their music. Moses, as the producer, emphasizes their flexible approach, utilizing a range of equipment—be it digital or analog—to suit the music's unique requirements. Their gear choices are guided by personal comfort and the desired sound or vibe.
The conversation then navigates Kraken's approach to live performances, balancing spontaneity and structure. Moses explains how their shows draw from their energy, audience response, and their aim to craft memorable experiences. While their songs have structured elements, they embrace improvisation and jamming, injecting unpredictability into their live shows.
The discussion widens to independent music in India and its value within today's globalized, capitalist landscape. Suyash defines independent music, emphasizing its genuine origins and narrative richness. Moses stresses the absence of a one-size-fits-all approach, encouraging artists to focus on creating music they believe in rather than conforming to formulas or trends. He acknowledges the evolving music industry, with artists seeking global recognition and independence. Aditya extends the conversation to the value of art, considering the rise in investments in digital assets like NFTs. Moses champions art's intrinsic worth, its ability to deeply connect people, and its role as a creative and expressive outlet. While acknowledging its investment value, Moses encourages cherishing art for its ability to inspire and evoke emotions, transcending mere financial value.
Moses and Suyash express gratitude for connecting with audiences through their music, reflecting on the artistic revitalization triggered by the pandemic. They celebrate the positive aspects of working in independent music, particularly encountering diverse and open-minded audiences. They underscore the significance of staying true to their artistic vision amidst the ever-changing landscape of independent music.
Aditya turns to Moses, discussing his varied roles as a model, actor, guitarist, instructor, and producer, asking which holds the most profound place in his life. Moses dismisses modeling as the least significant and emphasizes the profound role of music, especially production, in his life. Music is an indelible part of his identity, providing inspiration even in silence. Moses declares his enduring core identity as a musician and his deep love for performing on stage.
Aditya engages Moses and Suyash in a conversation about the value of art, particularly music. Suyash starts by discussing the subjective nature of art's worth, shaped by individual experiences and preferences. They acknowledge the diverse emotional impacts of different types of music, celebrating its rich tapestry.
Suyash delves into the complexity of pricing art, acknowledging the challenges in determining the value of art forms like music. They note that pricing often hinges on factors like marketing strategies and perceived uniqueness. They also touch on the impact of platforms like Spotify on the monetary value of music, where artists contend on an equal footing.
Moses champions the intrinsic value of art and the artistic process, emphasizing dedication and storytelling over monetary considerations. He encourages exploration within art, detached from monetary aspects, allowing a deeper connection to its essence. While acknowledging the monetary challenges in the music industry, Moses advocates for an unwavering commitment to art, resisting excessive commercialism.
Aditya shifts the focus to Kraken's daily activities, inquiring about an average day in their musical life. Suyash and Moses explore their band's dynamics, shared goals, and the delicate balance between professionalism and friendship in their creative process.
Aditya highlights Suyash's extensive career as a sought-after drummer, involving various projects like Dualist Inquiry and Doppler Effect. He prompts Suyash to compare Kraken with his past endeavors. Suyash reflects on their experiences collaborating with different artists and the challenge of prioritizing projects amidst multiple offers. He underscores the importance of aligning goals and work ethics with collaborators, emphasizing Kraken as the current focus. Suyash details his refined approach to selecting projects, channeling creative energy into fewer spaces for better results, and prioritizing acts that resonate personally and share a similar work ethic.
The interview concludes with a fun Rapid Fire segment where the two musicians share their emotional responses to songs and their favorite guilty pleasure tracks. They also entertain the idea of creating an experimental prog rock project, envisioning a lineup that includes various talented musicians.
