The Indo Soul band has been captivating audiences with its distinct blend of Indian classical music and global sounds. Over the past few years, they have widened their reach, leveraging the power of their digital presence. Last year, the band launched an innovative initiative called Soul Sabha, designed to strengthen their connection with fans.
This Soul Sabha stands out for its unique format. Around 30 listeners, each equipped with headphones, share the recording studio space with Indo Soul band members—lead vocalist and violinist Karthick Iyer, lead guitarist Vikram Vivekanand, acoustic guitarist Akshay Yesodharan, bass artist Reshwin Nishith, drummer Ramkumar Kannakarajan, and mridangist Venkat Subramanian. These listeners receive a briefing on the recording process while the cameraman prepares to shoot. This setup grants fans an insider view of the recording sessions, making them feel more connected to the band’s creative process.
Indo Soul has released four albums so far, with popular songs like ‘Nagumomu’, ‘Manavyala in my mind’, ‘Rejoicing in Raghuvamsa’, and ‘Clown’s Junket’. Their unique sound has garnered them a dedicated following. Inspired by the western band Snarky Puppy, who had a live audience during the creation of its music video, Indo Soul founder Karthick Iyer was keen to recreate this intimate setting. The aim was to engage more closely with the band’s followers.
During Soul Sabha’s first season, the band invited listeners to their recording sessions, which had a different dynamic compared to recording in isolation. “Unlike recording in a bubble, here the listeners get to witness the making of a music video. Soul Sabha has helped us receive instant feedback on our songs before their formal release. They also get to chat with us on various music-related topics,” says Karthick. The final output of the videos, despite some rawness, added a certain charm to the overall presentation. “It’s the best of both worlds, a combination of recording and live performance. This gives a different vibe to the songs,” he adds.
In its first season, Soul Sabha saw Indo Soul collaborating with various artistes who shared their musical style.
. They worked on popular kritis such as ‘Thaye Yashoda’ and ‘Telisi Rama’ by Haricharan and Spoorthi Rao, respectively, ‘Pibare Rama Rasam’ by Karthick, ‘Kantha naal’ by Abhinaya Shenbhagaraj, and a rare Muthuswami Dikshitar composition ‘Soma Sundareshwaram’ by Trichur Brothers. The season also featured a rhythmic recital of ‘Niravadhi sukhada’ by vainika Rajhesh Vaidhya. These videos were well-received on online platforms, further solidifying Indo Soul’s digital footprint.
When asked about the song selection process and how each song evolves in the hands of the band members, Karthick explains that mridangist Venkat Subramanian plays a crucial role. He chooses songs from those suggested by the collaborators. “For instance, he selected the ‘Soma Sundareshwaram’ kriti because we wanted to offer our audience something different. Each song’s singing and feel vary as the artistes bring in their own creativity and expertise,” shares Karthick.
The response to Soul Sabha – Season 1 has been overwhelmingly positive, leading the band to plan for Season 2. This new season will feature Rajasthani folk and ghazal artistes alongside Carnatic musicians and vocalists. “With the coming together of diverse musical styles and artistes, we wish to build a like-minded cultural community,” says Karthick. Unlike the first season and their earlier albums, which were self-funded, the band is now looking for promoters to help sustain this project.
The Indo Soul Sabha team has figured out the logistics concerning attendees and aims to increase the number of participants. More details will be shared closer to the date. They also plan to hold their recording sessions well in advance of the Chennai Margazhi Season. “This will enable us to release the videos when music takes over the city,” Karthick elaborates.
Through initiatives like Soul Sabha, Indo Soul not only enhances their engagement with fans but also pushes the boundaries of traditional music recording. They blend the appeal of live performance with the precision of studio recording, providing a unique and enriching experience for all involved. As they continue to innovate and collaborate, Indo Soul’s music is poised to reach new heights, captivating a global audience with its soulful melodies and diverse influences.
