PUNE
Ishani Bose @kattiphoo
They describe their music as adult alternative, which, according to Winit Tikoo – the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Winit Tikoo Band, is a mixture of alternative rock, grunge, blues and punk influences, juxtaposed with hindi and urdu lyrics. For the uninitiated, the band is the winner of the Leapfrog to Coke Studio contest, which was organised to give Indian bands an opportunity to be featured in Coke Studio@MTV Season 3.
The band that also comprises Veljon Noronha on guitars and backing vocals, Aditya Kadam on bass and Pushkar Joshi on drums, was optimistic about winning the competition from the day they started. “We knew we had a good shot at this because we had the content. It was just a matter of delivering it justly. It was smooth sailing until the finals, which was a different ballgame altogether. The bands upped their game several notches and by the end of it we were almost biting our fingers,” says Tikoo, adding that the song that won them the title was Paagal.
Speaking about the song Tikoo adds, “The judges loved the song so much that one of them told us that he needed the MP3 version of the song for the ride back home. It felt really good when the judges said that choosing us as winners was a unanimous decision.” The performance also featured Shahrukh Khan on sarangi and Vaibhav Wavikar on Tabla.
For the 10-month-old band to have achieved so much in less than a year’s time is nothing but shocking. But, Tikoo dismisses the stupor with a nonchalant shrug. “I got this band together in July 2012 and we played our first full band gig in Oct’12. We have been through our ups and downs but have stuck together. I have been extremely demanding with us sometimes but nothing good comes easy,” says Tikoo, adding that when it comes to music, they are all very focused.
It’s this focus, passion and sincerity, perhaps, that has led them to continuously write and compose songs that are different yet something that one can easily relate to. “Our songs talk about very basic and raw emotions that everyone goes through,” says the musician. However, he states that the theme takes shape only once the song is fully written. “Our upcoming album Tamasha will feature all these songs. We were planning on an August launch before the Coke Studio scene happened,” he says.
The band is looking to gig extensively here on to expose their sound and music to as many music lovers as it can. And that’s what got them to Pune to perform tonight. “This city being the youthful and energetic place that it is, we are certain that we will be having a great time here.” As far as their future plans go, Tikoo firmly states that he is not big on planning. Probe a little more and he gives in with a smile. “For now, Coke Studio, releasing the album, gigging around as much as possible and writing fresh material, are the only things that are on my mind,” he says signing off.ishani.bose@dnaindia.net
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from tomorrow: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional
Deepika Padukone joins Kartik Aaryan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff at Mumbai event; see viral photos
Man wanted in Canada's biggest gold heist found living in THIS Indian city, he is...
'Free Samay Raina': Badshah shouts at his concert in Gujarat
Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law Nikhil Nanda faces legal trouble, FIR filed against businessman for...
'Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli...': R Ashwin lambasts 'superstar culture' in Indian cricket
Bombay HC to hear PIL on Sushant Singh Rajput's death, actor's father says...
Ajay Devgn's absence from Kajol's Valentine's Day post sparks speculation: 'Kalesh chal raha hai'
Anil Ambani-led company's loss widens to Rs 3298 crore in just...; its business is...
Premanand Maharaj's morning yatra set to resume after..., it was stopped because...
Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar clash over Shreyas Iyer's position in team
239 composite liquor shops to be opened in..., booze business ramps up in...
Mukesh Ambani may lose the position of Asia's richest after Reliance loses...in just...days
Elon Musk-led DOGE halts Rs 175 crore election funding for India due to...
Malaika Arora shares her Paneer Thecha recipe, here's how you can make it
Mahakumbh viral girl Monalisa steps into 5-star hotel for lunch for first time, see viral post
Meet CID-fame actor, who once did a show for Rs 20, lost his wife due to...now earns...
Vinod Kambli makes surprising move, former Indian cricketer decides to donate...
Sachin Tendulkar breaking heart on V Day with Anjali in tow is oddly satisfying, watch viral video
Ekta Kapoor to face police probe, Mumbai court orders inquiry for...
Lahori Zeera makers likely to get Rs 450 crore as fundraising from Motilal Oswal among others
'You're pregnant': Ileana D'Cruz expecting second child with Michael Dolan!
Akshay Kumar touches Amitabh Bachchan's feet at ISPL2 finale, their association goes back to...
Who is Lalit Modi’s new Valentine? All about Rima Bouri, IPL founder’s new girlfriend
India's big 'treasure' is hidden here, once THIS work is done country will earn Rs...
This country hits big JACKPOT, discovers one of world's biggest gold reserves worth Rs...
Roadies XX star Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary demand Rs 20 lakh bribe? Here's what we know
What led to stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that killed 18 people? 10 points
King Kong: This 6-Foot-8 buffalo named the world’s tallest by Guinness World Records
Shakira’s metallic wolf gown took 600 hours to create, designed by THIS Indian couturier
84 year marriage, 13 kids, 100 grandkids, viral couple sets record
Harshvardhan Rane, Mawra Hocane react to Amitabh Bachchan's shout out to Sanam Teri Kasam re-release
Chhaava box office collection day 2: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna film mints Rs 67 crore
15 injured in stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, probe on
Amitabh Bachchan was 'mind-blown' in a Bangkok strip club, reveals...: 'He was wearing...'
Watch: Gautam Adani and his wife offered 'chadar' at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
European man shares 10 lessons that shattered his western mindset after moving to India
'India needs strong production base, not empty words': LoP Rahul Gandhi's veiled dig at centre
Ranveer Allahbadia says he’s getting death threats from..., promises he won’t...