An evening of Nu Soul from Paris

Bengaluru: They say talent runs in one’s blood, but to take it forward, however, is another story. For 30-year-old drummer Nicholas Viccaro from the French trio Hyleen, it was a mix of both. He grew up watching his father perform and music called out to him, and he listened.

“I was brought up in a musical environment as my dad was a drummer. I don’t remember when I picked up the sticks exactly, but I’m told I was around two years old. I learnt my first rhythm right then,” he said while the band was doing a sound check for an upcoming gig.

Nicholas along with Hyleen Gil on vocals and guitar and Fred DuPont on Moong Bass make up the trio. Nicholas has performed alongside musicians like Etienne Mbappe, Bill Evans and Gary Husband to name a few.

“My musical influences are so varied and they develop as I pass the world by. From jazz to rock to Afro-Cuban music, I love it all,” Nicholas said.

Feeling the same connection with Hyleen’s voice two years ago, he approached her and they have been performing ever since. “I heard her voice when I was at a live show in south France where she was performing with her band then. I was so captivated by the raw emotion in a voice that was so unique, I asked her to do a project immediately, and look at us now, we’re touring in India!” he exclaimed.

Even though it is his third time performing in the country, his enthusiasm continues to be strong for their upcoming performance in Bengaluru. “Though this is my third time here, it will be the first in the city and I am really looking forward to it. Everybody in the previous places told us that we are going to love the place, the people, everything and we trust that!”

The trio will be performing their signature cocktail of jazz, soul, pop, funk and RnB tunes for the upcoming gig, he said. “Our sound is called the Nu Soul, it’s a mix of jazz and other genres like pop and funk. Hyleen is inspired by artistes like Prince, Bilal, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo. We mix our experiences and these influences together to give you the sound of Hyleen,” Nicholas said.

Audiences can expect the unexpected, he remarked, apart from the usual high energy and dancing. “After each show we have people say that they were completely taken aback and we hope to bring that to Bengaluru. You will see a lot of energy, melodies, groove and dancing,” he said.

It is the perfect combination for jazz lovers as well as mainstream music fans he said. “It is the perfect balance for serious jazz lovers and for people who just want to have a good time and are looking to understand the music and feel the lyrics. This project is just way too original.” Nicholas explained.

The Hyleen trio will be performing in cities across India as a part of their tour that began in Tahiti. After Pune, the next stop is Bengaluru, after which they are all set to perform in Mumbai and New Delhi. They are also planning an Australia tour in November along with an album release.