Settling Saturn scores

They may be younglings on the scene, but watch them own the stage with their original, Lumber Jack, and you can’t help yourself from breaking into a step. Delivering a myriad of genres, these youngsters of the city-based band Saturn Night Sky pack the right punch with their music and recently bagged a win at NIT Trichy’s massive fest, Festember, from among top bands across the country. What’s more? They now have scholarships to the prestigious Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music as part of their win!  

“Trichy was a superb experience. Our sound is fresh – more on the experimental side and we were really curious how the crowd would react,” says their bubbly vocalist, Jesley Antony about the big win. Turns out, the response was exhilarating. The band that rocked the socks of people consists of Aman Prasad on the guitar, keyboardist Skandaa Ramani, bassist Rishii Rohra and Nirvan Mahat on the drums along with Jesley, who dazzles with her voice. Having played at several college fests and music venues across the city, this band has influences ranging from rockabilly giants Stray Cats, Toe, Phish, Planet X, Swerve Driver and Panzer Ballet to metal mayhem creators Iron Maiden and Children of Bodom.

Each of them being as different as chalk and cheese, their sound is inspired by a myriad of genres as well. “We’ve handpicked things we love from blues, jazz, metal and even reggae to form what could classify as alternative rock. We also focus on innovation and like to make things interesting with time signatures and dynamics,” says Skandaa – the keyboardist that the band quips, doesn’t know which planet he came from.    

Finding each other at Christ University’s annual cultural extravaganza, these Christites say they found themselves at the right place and at the right time. Picking a name that goes with the “spacey” theme of their music, they began jamming together to be where they are today. Even as this big win gives them a boost to work on their debut EP that is set for a December release, they are excited about their scholarships for a workshop. “It’s indeed a very rare opportunity for a fairly new band like us to experience a workshop like this. We hope that the school helps us reach new musical ventures as we continue to work on improving and expanding our style,” says Nirvan, who along with Rishii, is also a part of another city-based pop rock band called Crazy.

Although they do not come from musical backgrounds, they say that their environments were always musically supportive. Saturn Night Sky may only be three months old but unlike bands that form and disband in the blink of an eye, this one promises to stick around. “It takes hard work, commitment to the band and chemistry between its members,” says Aman. “Not to mention, a lot of dedication to the music. We also try and give our music a multidimensional aura by incorporation everybody’s personalities and playing styles,” adds Rishii.

While they aren’t surprising the crowds imagination or dreaming about signing a record as they make fresh music, these 20 somethings act their age – While Rishii plays Clash of Clans, Aman plays scales while the microwave heats the muffins, Jesley sings and loves to write lyrics when ever she can, Nirvan likes to take nature walks and try different juices and Skandaa plays chess with squirrels. But while they aren’t at it, they still make music. So, lend them a ear.