Singing a New Tune

Frontman for The Pulp Society,Shah says that his band deals with old-school,high energy music. “We combine the sounds of funk and disco to produce something that is very modern,very ‘our generation’. We don’t have a fixed line-up,and focus heavily on the synthesizer and percussion,” he says. What sets them apart from other bands is that their music includes all mediums. “For example,we use a visual jockey at quite a few of our gigs. The audiences love it,” he says.

Shah points to upcoming,psychological thriller 404,directed by Prawaal Raman,as his and his band’s big break. They have provided the soundtrack for the film and Shah is also the music director. “The soundtrack is a compilation of songs that are entirely our creation. The lyrics are very colloquial and desi,using very Bambaiya mawali and tapori words. We have moulded these words with a very funky sound,which we believe is representative of our generation – one that thinks in English and Hindi simultaneously,” he says. And the reception has been very encouraging,by both the audience and those involved with the film. “Since 404 is an indie production,the director and the producer let us do our own thing and were impressed with the end result. We were on no tight leash,” he adds.

Being the music director has helped Shah personally. “I have learnt the secrets of the sonic spectrum and sound mixing from the best in the business. I do a bit of sound production at home,but this job has given me the kind of hands-on experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else,” he says.

It must be some task,juggling between films,theatre and the band? “It’s not easy,” admits the guitarist. “But the trick is simple – to concentrate on your passion. And for me,that’s my music,” he says.

(The Pulp Society will perform at High Spirits,Koregaon Park,today evening)