Interview | Singer James Thakara on his band’s latest release, ‘Loop’ and future plans
The Hindu
Thakara band led by James Thakara creates relatable music for the common man, exploring themes of life and society.
Founder and lead singer of the Kochi-based band, Thakara, James Thakara, describes the music of his band as “common man’s chronicles”. Released at the Indiegaga Trivandrum 2024 concert on Wednesday, their latest song ‘Loop’ stays true to this description exploring the dichotomy of good and bad being within people and how they perceive things. Since their first song ‘Podi penne’, released in 2012, Thakara’s songs have been known for their themes being relatable to middle-class youth, ranging from heartbreak to lack of work-life balance among others.
“We are trying to communicate what we see in our circles through songs,” says James over the phone from his house in Kochi. “It is what I observed while talking to people.”
Thakara is currently a six-member band with James leading the vocals. Sarath PS aka Cisko Disco on synthesiser, Bevan Coreya on guitar, John Shibin handles the bass and Ritwick Wilfy Baveria is on the drums. Abru Manoj as lyricist and creative manager completes the ensemble. The band has created 16 songs until now.
Regarding ‘Loop’, James says, “The idea is that we have both good and bad within us. There is no heaven after death nor is hell underground, everything is here.”
This song emerged from a jamming session between James and Sarath. “Last September, we had a line-up change and were not in a good space mentally. I had gone to Bengaluru to meet Sarath, with whom I had collaborated earlier on a song called ‘Pavanai pattu’. Even he was in a difficult spot having been laid off. We started jamming and one of the songs we created was ‘Loop’,” he says.
Early this month, the band released the track ‘Rain Song’, which also came from the same jamming sessions between the duo. James describes this song as, “a tribute to rain”.
The band’s creative process differs from one song to another. While some numbers were created with a tune first and lyrics added later, others started with lyrics which were then set to music. The band has also created tracks in which the melody and lyrics were created simultaneously.
Eternal vigilance needed to prevent resurgence of polio worldwide, with debate on vaccine efficacy and transmission routes.
The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue revised or modified birth or death certificates, changing the gender, indicating both the earlier and the present name and gender of transgender persons. This is to be done till amendments are made to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, which at present has no provision to revise the original birth or death certificate to change the gender.
Akumal Ramachander, a septuagenarian multifaceted personality, who shot to fame in 1985 when he discovered and promoted American abstract expressionist painter Harold Shapinsky, taking the western art world by storm, passed away in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Sindhoora Raja, a Class 11 student from NPS Indiranagar, Bengaluru, receives Rashtriya Bala Puraskar for innovative brain age prediction project.
Syria's new leaders target Assad loyalists in Tartus, as they strive to bring justice and stability to the country.
Moscow seeks legally binding peace deal for lasting security in Ukraine, rejecting weak truce as Western ploy.
Experience the visually appealing mythological play Kamaroopigal by amateur theatre group Sanchaya, running successfully for three years.
Opposition's tumultuous journey in 2024, from divided on key issues to united in state elections, analyzed concisely.
Greater Chennai Corporation’s proposed waste-to-energy plant at Kodungaiyur dump yard faces backlash
Residents in Chennai express concern over proposed incinerator at Kodungaiyur dump yard due to potential pollution risks.
Efforts to capture elephant CT16, known as 'bullet', intensify after damaging houses in Gudalur forest division.
BJP MLA praises Atal Bihari Vajpayee's development initiatives, highlighting road network, telecom, and military strength.