Bombay Blues

Performing at the seventh edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival, which is playing host to some of the industry’s biggest names, is Delhi band BLU’s dream come true

The seventh edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival, considered to be Asia’s largest Blues festival, is playing host to some of the biggest names in the industry including Irish singer-songwriter Graine Duffy, Janiva Magness, Warren Mendonsa’s Blues band Blackstratblues, Quinn Sullivan, Janiva Magness, Shemekia Copeland and SuperSonic Blues Machine. The fourmember Delhi-based BLU, who have been playing together for about two years, are getting the chance to share the stage with these stalwarts. “Mahindra Blues Festival is one of the best known blues festival in the world, so it’s a great opportunity for us to put our music to the people,” says the band, who won the Blues Band Hunt 2017 title after beating Bangalore band Polly Wants a Cracker with their originals “Fifteen Years” and “Delta Dreaming” and their rendition of old folk blues tune “Make me a pallet on your floor.”

Music for the soul

Kapil Chetri, originally from Kohima, Nagaland, has been playing the blues for as long as he can remember. “I never tried playing anything other than blues. Nothing satisfies my soul like blues music does,” says the vocalist and acoustic guitarist.

How I met my drummer

When guitarist Pranai Gurung caught Chetri’s solo performance on Balcony TV, a daily online music show, he reached out to the musician and invited him for a jam. “I was interested with his raw Mississippi delta sound. I have always had an urge to try the blues and it seemed natural to move in that direction,” reveals Gurung. Rahul Rai, bassist, and Chewang Lama, drummer, were brought on board and BLU was born.

What dreams are made of

The quartet is now working on getting their EP out this year and with it a tour in India. They are also working on some dates for festivals abroad. Getting to play a gig at the BB King Blues Club, Memphis Tennessee or Buddy Guy Legends, Chicago would be a dream come true. “Also, I have always dreamed of getting to play or jam with other local working class blues musicians in juke joints in Mississippi,” says Chetri, who finds inspiration in Rory Block, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal and Kelly Joe Phelps.

‘Nothing satisfies my soul like blues music does.’ Kapil Chetri, UU Vocalist, BLU