When you think of rock, how many of you can recall a band that plays Kannada songs, in your head? Naik and The Jois Project Live (NJPL), is an ensemble that’s going to change the way rock is looked at by music aficionados. This one-of-its-kind rock band that aims at promoting the head-banging genre of music in Kannada, is having a special Rockotsava on March 9.
Talking about how the idea struck, composer and guitarist Hemanth Jois says, “Most of the nightclubs in the city are not okay with hosting Kannada events. They usually don’t agree to host us as they think ours is a local band and hence, there won’t be any crowd, which is ironical, as we’ve done two fully sold-out shows previously at two different venues.
We were a bit sad as most venues are okay with having other language bands play at their spaces, but not a Kannada band.” Hemanth and his mates then decided to organise a massive event where they’d be 1,000 Kannadigas cheering them, and came up with the ‘Rockotsava’ idea.
The other main member in the ensemble is singer Chethan Naik, whose recent big project was the Salaam Rocky Bhai song in the Hindi version of KGF. “I started The Jois Project to collaborate with talented musicians and after working with Chethan, I realised that we both have good camaraderie, so we formed NJPL to perform live.
At the event, NJPL will play covers, while The Jois Project will play its originals like Last Semester and Tunturu. We’re also planning to perform the famous song Kodagana Koli Nungitha, and we’re excited to see the response from the crowd,” reveals Hemanth. Adding to the local flavour will be Lolbagh, the Kannada stand-up comedy group that will perform as a supporting act.
As for the rock scene in Kannada, there’s a long way to go before people open up to it. “The rap scene has taken off with many artistes singing in Kannada. But hard rock still has to get the attention it deserves in Kannada. We hope to change that,” states Hemanth.
To get your dose of Kannada rock, head to Opus, Sarjapur Road on Saturday at 6 pm!
