Sanjeev Thomas, music composer, guitarist and vocalist digs versatility. Sanjeev remembers strumming the guitar right from the age of eight. While luck favoured the Kuwait-born and bred boy right from the start, Thomas believes in the importance of honing potential and offering a platform to promising young musicians as nothing can substitute hard work. His studio and school, Rainbrow Bridge, which was conjured up in Bengaluru in the year 2015, testifies the same. In a candid chat with the vocalist cum-guitarist-cum-music producer, who will be playing the guitar for Sid Sriram, a Chennai-based musician at a forthcoming show to be held on September 9 in Malaysia, he tells us more...
“Bengaluru has an independent culture. The audience is more free-spirited, receptive and it’s a lot more relaxing to play here. I’ve played at over 30 gigs in the city, and I vouch for the fact that this city comparatively has the best audience,” begins Sanjeev. After having spread out his wings to other avenues too – becoming a vocalist on the side, the 36-year-old believes in bringing out an impeccable mash into his music. “My music is best described as fusion. Even though I’m not a learned Indian musician, I love incorporating Indian elements into my music.” The artiste has been a recipient of Most Inventive and Creative Artist in South Asia at Avima’10. A subsequent nomination for best POP/ROCK single at the GIMA Awards’12 followed. Speaking, about his inspirations, Sanjeev adds, “I’m inspired by life. Every single thing motivates me. Music is a language and an emotion.
Tracing his journey back to a chance encounter with music maestro A. R Rahman which changed everything, Sanjeev reminisces,”It was probably sheer serendipity. I was pretty much like most wide-eyed musicians out there. A friend in Mumbai recommended my name, and the rest as they say, is history, we started out in the year 2005 and there’s been no looking back ever since! “That was how it all began, and before he knew it, Sanjeev was performing as the lead guitarist with A.R Rahman for movies like Azhagiya Tamizh Magan, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Delhi 6, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Rockstar and the like. The ace music man, who now aims to milk talent and gauge potential of youngsters in the city through his solo venture Rainbow Bridge, adds, “It (Rainbow Bridge) started out as a studio. But, the desire to hone, develop and offer opportunities to youngsters and also make them a part of my live shows egged me on to start the institute. A genuine interest to make budding artistes a part of innovative workshops, music events and real time production is what gave rise to this idea.”
Speaking of what’s next on the cards, Sanjeev concludes by stating, “I’ve been constantly releasing songs every three months. There’s a fusion reggae song coming up. I’m planning a Carnatic fusion of sorts, and there’s recording a lot of other things too. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. There’s also a live gig in Malaysia that I’ll be prepping for. There’s quite a lot in the pipeline. For now, the focus is on rustling up a fire at the Independent Live Fusion Festival. It’s an honour to be headling an event as the stage will see bands liek Agam and several other popular Indian artistes. We hope to nail the headlining act, and do justice to the show.”
