It is a revelation when four girls take to the stage. It is even more of a revelation when the four taking to the stage are accepted! This is what we see every time The Vinyl Records get on the mike. Brilliant, TVR are the Artist of the Month and share a little of themselves with us this Women’s Day!
ON TVR’s MUSIC
Eight Octaves: What was it like growing up as girls interested in music?
TVR: In the 90’s we grew up watching Mtv and Channel V. Music also being a part of our school curriculum helped us develop our interest, which started with singing and progressed to playing an instrument and thus took us through this beautiful journey of music.
Eight Octaves: Were your families supportive?
TVR: Initially they were sceptical about us forming a band in Delhi since they had sent us far from home for our higher studies. But since we are equally balancing both our studies and music they are happy with our doings. Nonetheless, sometimes they are worried; especially when we have late night shows since Delhi is not a very safe place for girls.
Eight Octaves: Is music a full-time career option for you?
TVR: For now we would like to complete our respective studies and currently we don’t think we are in a stage to venture into a career in music. It will take us a few good years and more experience.
Eight Octaves: How do you manage the balance between studies and your music?
TVR: We are all pursuing masters and Mithy is to do her PhD. Right work at the right times works for us.
Eight Octaves: Who is your biggest inspiration? Any women you look upto.
TVR: We look up to girl bands like CSS for their avant-garde element. Sahara Hotnights and The Donnas represent the modern Riot Grrrls to us & Joan Jett is simply sexy! Women like Irom Sharmila (Iron lady of Manipur), Aung San Suu Kyi: they are fearless and they have the guts to stand for what they believe in.
Eight Octaves: What would be an ideal world to you?
TVR: Where violence against women will not be tolerated and gender and political equality exists.
Eight Octaves: What is your take on Women in the music industry in India?
TVR: In a place like India, high priority is given to boys in every field. This is a challenge for us, being in an all girl band. Girls are coming up equally like the boys and it will be nice to not have discrimination because music is worship.
ON TVR THEMSELVES
Eight Octaves: When did the band form?
TVR: We were in high school and starting an all girl band, back in those days, was something different. After we moved to Delhi we continued lessons in a music school and that’s where we met Cheyyrian. We started the band off as a fun experiment which gradually picked up pace and we got an overwhelming response from people here, and thus, The Vinyl Records was born.
Eight Octaves: What made you choose the genre you did?
TVR: Our music is inspired a lot by post punk and new wave eras of the 70’s and 80’s music scene when analog and early digital sound was popular. We are essentially an indie rock, post punk band.
Eight Octaves: What do you guys enjoy doing in your free time?
TVR: Like any normal young person: surfing the net, reading books, travelling, listening to music, cooking.
Eight Octaves: How much has life changed since being noticed?
TVR: Life before and now has changed for the better. Being noticed for good feels great..
Eight Octaves: Where does the band see itself in 5 years?
TVR: Coming up with our album, touring around the world and also being evolved musicians.
Eight Octaves: The band is made up of (names of all the members and what they play)?
Cheyyrian barkakoty 23.Vocals/Keys
Mithy Tatak 22 Drummer/Percussionist
Minam tekseng 22 Bassist
Banu Jini 23 Guitarist
ON TVR’s PERSONALITY
Eight Octaves: Describe yourself in 5 lines:
TVR: The fact that we are an all girl band itself adds a strong feminist vibe to TVR and because we are tired of boy band after boy band, we girls want to make our own space to create music. Feminism for us would be standing on our own, breaking away from the stereotype and not taking day-to-day shit.
Eight Octaves: What clothes do you ideally wear as a group?
TVR: We don’t follow a fancy trend while choosing our outfits, each one of us has a different style, and when we come together as a band our style amalgamates appealing to the people; which kind of compliments our music too. We all love playing dress up!
Eight Octaves: Are all of you the same on stage and off or do you have two separate identities?
TVR: We are very much the same person on and off stage, though onstage we are a bit more DIY.
Eight Octaves: Any spot you go to to make music?
TVR: We have always wanted to travel and make music but till date we couldn’t do it. Our compositions take place mostly in studios and at home
