Beatablockers (skinnyfest 1)

the beats and sounds of the Bandish Projekt

Article by Yasmin Ali | 14 Aug 2006
Tak dhin dhina dhum dhum dhina.

You are invited to 'listen with an open mind' to the beats and sounds of the Bandish Projekt. You are a tacit participant in a game of sonic tennis between a high-tech brother and his lo-fi other. To your right, DJ Udyan plays leftfield sounds on the computerised synthesiser, as stage left, classicist Mayur breaks out a beat on the Indian drums [tabla], with decks and faders set for meeting in the middle.

Shying away from niche-marketing signifiers of 'urban', 'bhangra' or 'garage', Bandish… are emphatic about their eclecticism, and would rather let their music do the talking. Their name gives the act away: in Indian, 'Bandish' means classical composition in different keys [ragas].

The boys are signed to Universal, with background scores credited in Bollywood productions. Their roots remain in live music, at home on the club circuit in India, Dubai, and most recently breaking Europe. Roxy's plays host to the duo on the fringe, though they're obviously better suited to a club venue.

The bounds of etiquette confine a sedentary audience to head-bopping and foot-tapping to the part-choreographed, part-improvised, syncopated rhythms.
Though the relationship between the stage and raised seating is slightly inept, watching two artists at work and in their element is a truly humbling experience that transcends mere spatiality.
Roxy Art House, Aug 3rd-12th, 14th-19th, 21st-28th, 22:00 (1hr), £7 (£5) http://www.bandishprojekt.com