Rishi Raj Sachdev of Syncopation tells SM Verghis how his band stuck to their guns and now have no dearth of concerts
He left his day job about five years ago, “because I got no kicks,” says Rishi Raj Sachdev of the jazz band Syncopation. Yesterday they performed at 39 Restaurant and bar in Hauz Khas Village
Earlier they played at Blue Frog during International Jazz Day. “The first six months after I decided to focus completely on my band were tough. But post-2010, things looked up. And now our three-member outfit has had over 200 concerts within the space of two years.”
It’s not a small thing, considering the taste for music concerts generally runs into local Indian music, film music, religious music, Bollywood and recently dance music. The EDM scene has caught on. But just a few years ago, there were only a few spaces and takers for it too.
Jazz worldwide also has a niche audience. It is often viewed as ‘cerebral’ music. But if it becomes part of the aspirational lifestyle — say you have to dress a certain way, and move in a certain club — who knows what might happen in India.
The Blue Frog concert for instance had over 1,000 people it seems. But it wasn’t ticketed. “Imagine how much we could have earned if it had,” joked Sachdev who added unabashedly, “we were the best band there, even though I say so myself. You see the scene is small, and these kids are just starting to play.”
Rishi formed Syncopation in 2009 to play contemporary jazz and funk. Earlier he was with Clandestine, (it became Orange Street after he left it).
During the recent Area 79 Festival at Blue Frog, Syncopation launched their first album. Rishi is extremely proud of the “six tracks that were completed in three days.” He shared that he is also part of another band called Moonshine, adding that one popular venues for jazz in Delhi, include Downstairs at Zo. And he’s heard the recently-opened Speakeasy is good. But he misses The living Room in Hauz Khas which “was where some of the best Delhi bands played with the best music.”
About Syncopation’s own music he mused, “A great musician once said 90 per cent of it is just hard work. We did that and were honest. The album’s a first by a jazz trio in this city. And its filled with original tracks. We’ve focused on melodies instead of technique. I use a lot of peddles on my guitar and Nikhil has weirdass percussion.” Its available online.
When he’s not in the band Rishi likes watching artsy movies. He recently watched 81/2 Weeks by Fellini.
