Indian indie/folk band The Tapi Project, whose music is like a conversation between inquisitive poetry, expressive vocals and folk, have recently released their eponymous debut album. Ahead of their Asia tour to promote the album, which starts slowly before meandering across a range of styles and genres, bc spoke to co-founder Yogi Saniyawala about the band’s origins and their creative process.
Who are The Tapi Project?
The Tapi Project was initiated by writer, composer, Yogi Saniyawala and vocalist Swati Minaxi with Anand Joseph Mani also an integral part.
How did you meet? Why did you decide to start a band together?
Anand, myself and our drummer on the tour Gaurav Kapdia played together in a band called Odyssey. Swati was performing with some local bands in the city. I was judging a college competition where Swati was a participant, impressed by her vocals prowess I asked her if she wanted to collaborate and thus the Tapi Project was born.
What tends to the inspire the band’s creative juices?
The state of world more than anything else, the madness of modern life and constantly fading human values. We also have a hope and appreciation for nature, that reflects too.
Was the album easy to record or was it a struggle to make it coherent with its wide musical influences?
Musically it was natural. The influences helps to bring textures to an honest composition or poetry.
When you were creating/ recording the album, did you have finished vision in mind from the start or was it an organic process?
In some cases the songs were almost ready as a demo, which we recorded over a year in Swati’s bedroom. Some just needed album ambience while others grew out of the studio process.
How would you describe the album?
It is an honest effort to let out the thoughts, travel, pain, joy and other earthy feelings through melody and words.
How has technology influenced or changed your approach to writing and creating songs and playing live?
Technology helped us to think beyond while creating, recording. Playing live is an intense process as while composing we push our limits.
What is the genus / idea behind the new songs? Do you usually shape lyrics to a melody or do find a story you want to tell and write a tune to fit?
New songs mostly come out lyrics or lyrics melody together. Tapi was just a melody that happened while overlooking the river seine in France, thats a rarity. In a German park, I saw an empty window and got inspired to write Raho Mein- En Route. Tishangi evolved in Swati’s bedroom over a very normal day, just two chords and the song was there in an hour.
Are there many Indian bands writing original western style indie music?
A lot of musicians and bands writing now a days. there is a lot of good new music and bands continually emerging, India’s music scene is very vibrant right now.
As musicians in India what challenges /opportunities has the wide availability of ‘free’ online music created?
Audience. Not having audience to buy the album. not having audience who are open to listening live music. Finance is the problem.
Do you think the Internet and mobile phones have made it easier or harder to make a living as a musician?
It’s both but I would say, it has opened the world. It would have been very difficult for us to tour overseas without internet and to have people across the globe listen to our music.
When playing live do you play the songs as on the album, or re-interpret them?
We do both, but we i think we are always trying to revisit and evolve the song.
You have a couple of videos online of you covering other artist songs, what is about another artist song that has you wanting to cover it publicly?
It has to appeal us deep inside to feel as if its our own song.
How does touring in India compare/differ from overseas?
Exposure, New Audience, Collaboration and travel- these are amazing benefits.
How did the Hong Kong concert come about?
We have 4 concerts fringe club, orange peel, the wanch and comix homebase. I simply mailed them and sent them our music. They liked it, and thats how it happened.
What next for the Tapi Project after this tour?
Tour in most of asian countries, release the album and tour in the Middle East followed by Europe hopefully.
The Tapi Project Hong Kong Tour 2016
27 August: Gaylord
3pm, 28 August: Comix Home Base
8pm, 31 August: Orange Peel
8pm, 1 September: Fringe Club
2 September: Foxglove
8pm, 3 September: The Wanch
Find out more about The Tapi Project
Website: www.thetapiproject.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tapiproject1
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thetapiproject
Youtube: https://bit.ly/TheTapiProject
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEdhBZPbSGg