While they didn’t choose their signature sound, Lagori has managed to capture hearts across audiences. Bass player and back-up vocalist Shalini Mohan gives Eight Octaves a better look at herself and the band.
YOUR MUSIC
Eight Octaves: What was it like growing up as girls interested in music?
Shalini: I studied in an all girls school (Bishop Cottons). And I spent most of high school and college singing in the school and church choirs. It was my favorite part of the day. It was all I would think of, even while at home. I was the youngest member in the choir to start with (all of 11) and Mrs Barbara Thomas who was the choir instructor then was a person I was, and am still in awe of.
Eight Octaves: Was your family supportive?
Shalini: Initially no. It did take a while before they realised how serious this vocation was for me. Now, I couldn’t ask for more supportive parents! I am truly blessed!
Eight Octaves: Is music a full-time career for you?
Shalini: Currently yes. I worked in SAP Labs as a software geek for over 5 years. I have currently taken a sabbatical to pursue music full time.
Eight Octaves: If yes, do you feel it is a viable career for a women in our country?
Shalini: Why not?! No career option should be gender biased. As women, we multitask and plan so much better than our male counterparts! So no reason why we can’t have a rocking (literally) career and a family as well!
Eight Octaves: Who is your biggest inspiration? Any women you look upto.
Shalini: My role model is my dad. I have been witness to his slow climb up the success ladder all my life. Even in the worst of situations, I would think “how would my dad have handled this”. I don’t need any other role model.
Eight Octaves: What would be an ideal world to you?
Shalini: “Life is what you make of it. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Mr. John Lennon said this, and there is no such thing as an ideal world. It’s what we make it to be J
Eight Octaves: What is your take on Women in the music industry in India?
Shalini: I think it is fantastic! Nature has made us the more expressive, emotional and sensitive gender (in most cases at least J ). This becomes an amazing tool when we have to sit down and express ourselves through music!
PERSONALITY SHALINI
Eight Octaves: Describe yourself in 5 lines:
Shalini: Sorry, but this is something I just can’t do man! 😀
Eight Octaves: What clothes do you ideally wear as a group?
Shalini: Lagori is a very young band, in terms of age, in comparison to the other professional bands around. And we dress our age J No planned attire of a certain style etc. We dress hip because that is how we feel.
Eight Octaves: Are all of you the same person you are on stage or do you have two separate identities?
Shalini: We each have our own identities. And put all the identities in one pot, and we have some awesome chemistry going on!
Eight Octaves: Any spot you go to to make music?
Shalini: We jam at the drummer’s house near Ulsoor Lake. It has all the required catalysts (including amazing food and beer) that we need to get our songs out
JUST LAGORI
Eight Octaves: When did the band form?
Shalini: Almost 2 years up now.
Eight Octaves: Why form a band now?
Shalini: Why not?! J As a group, we realised we could come up with some amazing stuff. And we got along really really well (touch wood). So it felt just right.
Eight Octaves: What made you choose the genre you did?
Shalini: Each of us has our own influences, ranging from rock, funk, jazz to metal of all kinds. Somehow, the influences found the right spaces in the songs
Eight Octaves: What do you guys enjoy doing in your free time?
Shalini: Drink beer 😀
Eight Octaves: How much has life changed since being noticed?
Shalini: Not much. We are on our way toward being noticed more J In two years, we have played some reputed shows like the Storme Festival, the NH7 Weekender and the OktoberFest. We know we have tons of work ahead of us. When we become more famous, I shall let you know how it feels J
Eight Octaves: Where does the band see itself in 5 years?
Shalini: Everywhere. Making music for everyone to listen to. Indian and otherwise.
Eight Octaves: The band is made up of…
Shalini: Tejas Shankar on vocals. Geeth Vaz and Edward Rasquinha on Guitars and backing vocals. Vinyl Kumar on drums. Me on Bass and backing vocals.
