Susmit Sen wants to concentrate on his signature style of music now
New Delhi:
Susmit Sen, the co-founder and guitarist of popular Indian rock band Indian Ocean, has decided to quit the group after 23 years of association.
Susmit, who along with the band's late vocalist Asheem Chakravarty had founded Indian Ocean In 1990, will hand over his legacy to a youngerguitar player now.
"Right now, I am at my creative best. Indian Ocean is asound and style we created. After more than 27 years ofplaying, I feel that I am brimming with more compositions, moremusic - but in a grammar and style that is different fromIndian Ocean," Susmit said in a statement.
"So I feel restricted now, as I am sure must be the casewith the others as well. I strongly believe that my moving onwill be beneficial for both Indian Ocean and my creativeexpression as well," he said.
Susmit has already come out with an individual album, "Depths of the Ocean", which has compositions bearing his signature style of guitar playing.
He is also collaborating with a bunch of musicians namely AnirbanGhosh, Nikhil Vasudevan, Amit Sharma, Sudhir Rikhari, RajivRaja and old friend Gyaan Singh (of Mrigya fame) and creatingmusic with them as "The Susmit Sen Chronicles".
Young guitarist Nikhil Rao will take overthe task of carrying on Susmit's legacy in Indian Ocean along with vocalist Rahul Ram, drummer Amit Kilam and others.
"Rao is a promising young guitar player with a lot ofIndian-ness in his playing. He will be able to give a lot ofimpetus to Indian Ocean as he will not only add value toconcerts but will also be able to create new music with theband in their signature style," said Susmit.
Susmit and his close friend Asheem had come together tointerpret Indian rhythms and melodies at a time when mostyoung independent musicians were attempting to do covers ofknown international acts.
Rahul Ram joined within a year, and his contribution withhis unique bass style and fondness for vocals further definedthe sound of the band.
The Indian Ocean line-up was completedwhen Amit Kilam, a multi-instrumentalist joined in the summerof 1994.
The four went on to create timeless music with albums namely Desert Rain, Kandisa, Jhini, Black Friday and 16/330Khajoor Road.
Indian Ocean is the country's first band to have released a live album.They are also the first band ever in India to have a documentarymade on them.
Titled Leaving Home, it was directed by Jaideep Varma and won theNational award. It is also the first ever indigenously madedocumentary film to have achieved a commercial release in thecountry.
A coffee-table book on Indian Ocean will also be releasedlater this year and there will be a multi-city concert tour atthe time of its launch.
Susmit will be performing with the band for the promotion of the book, which will be his lastand farewell tour with the band.
Susmit, who along with the band's late vocalist Asheem Chakravarty had founded Indian Ocean In 1990, will hand over his legacy to a youngerguitar player now.
"Right now, I am at my creative best. Indian Ocean is asound and style we created. After more than 27 years ofplaying, I feel that I am brimming with more compositions, moremusic - but in a grammar and style that is different fromIndian Ocean," Susmit said in a statement.
"So I feel restricted now, as I am sure must be the casewith the others as well. I strongly believe that my moving onwill be beneficial for both Indian Ocean and my creativeexpression as well," he said.
Susmit has already come out with an individual album, "Depths of the Ocean", which has compositions bearing his signature style of guitar playing.
He is also collaborating with a bunch of musicians namely AnirbanGhosh, Nikhil Vasudevan, Amit Sharma, Sudhir Rikhari, RajivRaja and old friend Gyaan Singh (of Mrigya fame) and creatingmusic with them as "The Susmit Sen Chronicles".
Young guitarist Nikhil Rao will take overthe task of carrying on Susmit's legacy in Indian Ocean along with vocalist Rahul Ram, drummer Amit Kilam and others.
"Rao is a promising young guitar player with a lot ofIndian-ness in his playing. He will be able to give a lot ofimpetus to Indian Ocean as he will not only add value toconcerts but will also be able to create new music with theband in their signature style," said Susmit.
Susmit and his close friend Asheem had come together tointerpret Indian rhythms and melodies at a time when mostyoung independent musicians were attempting to do covers ofknown international acts.
Rahul Ram joined within a year, and his contribution withhis unique bass style and fondness for vocals further definedthe sound of the band.
The Indian Ocean line-up was completedwhen Amit Kilam, a multi-instrumentalist joined in the summerof 1994.
The four went on to create timeless music with albums namely Desert Rain, Kandisa, Jhini, Black Friday and 16/330Khajoor Road.
Indian Ocean is the country's first band to have released a live album.They are also the first band ever in India to have a documentarymade on them.
Titled Leaving Home, it was directed by Jaideep Varma and won theNational award. It is also the first ever indigenously madedocumentary film to have achieved a commercial release in thecountry.
A coffee-table book on Indian Ocean will also be releasedlater this year and there will be a multi-city concert tour atthe time of its launch.
Susmit will be performing with the band for the promotion of the book, which will be his lastand farewell tour with the band.
