Sound Effects

For his performance in Delhi,he will played three instruments—a six and 12-string guitar and a tambourine simultaneously. He balances one guitar on his lap and the other between his knees like a cello,while the tambourine is locked under his foot. He is equally proficient with the piano,cajon and harmonica. Playing multiple instruments simultaneously,he argues,helps him keep the listeners attentive. “It redefines the conventional approach to guitar playing,” he explains. His repertoire comprises acoustic versions of rock-n-roll. “The sound is something like Dave Matthews Band,” he adds.

Branigan has been learning the guitar since he was 11. He dropped out of Texas University ,where he was studying Mathematical Engineering,and launched a full-time music career 13 years ago. “I was bored of numbers and wanted to set up my own band. But I could not find other musicians,” says Branigan,who resorted to solo acts at nightclubs in Texas for the next few years,playing popular American folk cover versions.

As his interest in the guitar developed,Branigan experimented with two guitars to form his one-man-band. The tambourine was added for the base effect. “I usually break down the various parts of the guitar to create different sounds. The wooden hollow part gives a deep sound,the area around the fret board where the strings join the guitar body has its own use as do the strings themselves,” explains Branigan.

When purists argue that Branigan is more a performer than musician,he shows off his two studio albums to prove his musical prowess. “I having been working on a third album for the past five years. I plan to have two instruments on every track. One can be a guitar and mandolin,another can be a piano and guitar,” he explains.