British Council Soundpad

British Council Soundpad

• Four of the most exciting new bands in India tour the UK this May (Barfly Tour + Great Escape)
• Never before been to England
• Produced by John Leckie for a British Council project

Indigo Children - www.myspace.com/indigochildrenmusic
Swarathma - www.myspace.com/swarathmamusic
Medusa - www.myspace.com/hellomedusa
Advai...ta - www.myspace.com/advaitamusic

India Soundpad is an ambitious new project from the British Council and the University of Westminster’s Faculty Music label (John & Jehn), aimed at generating a dialogue between the emerging alternative music scenes in India and the UK.

The project brings together the legendary British music producer John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead, Muse) with four of the most exciting, original and emerging Indian artists. It is a unique opportunity for the two industries to connect, collaborate and create.

John Leckie auditioned many bands in India last year and the successful four were given the opportunity to record tracks with Leckie and Dan Austin at the prestigious Yash Raj studios in Andheri (West) Mumbai. As a result of these studio sessions, two tracks from each of the India Soundpad bands: Indigo Children, Medusa, Swarathma and Advaita - will be released as a digital album on May 12th through Faculty Music.

Whilst each of the Soundpad bands have their own unique sound, they are all key in the growing alternative music scene in India. Some draw upon traditional Indian classical and folk traditions, whilst others are more influenced by contemporary Western music.

To coincide with the album release, all four India Soundpad bands arrive in the UK in May to play The Great Escape Festival before heading out on a Barfly Group tour with select UK musicians later in the month:

The Great Escape
– 14th Swarathma @ Ark
– 14th Advaita @ Concord 2
– 15th Indigo Children @ Providence
– 15th Medusa Ocean Rooms
ALL BANDS - Matinee show 15th @ Horatios

Tour with Indigo Children & Swarathma
17th May – Jericho, Oxford
18th May – Barfly, Cardiff
19th May – Launch party @ The Fly, London
20th May – Night & Day, Manchester

Tour with Medusa and Advaita
17th May – Barfly, Liverpool
18th May – Jericho, Oxford
19th May – Launch party @ The Fly, London
20th May – Barfly, Cardiff

At The Great Escape Festival, (14th May - 11am) there will be an India Focus conference, featuring UK and Indian artists alongside industry professionals.

On 13 May there will be a filmed day at the University of Westminster - a Q+A with John Leckie, live performances from the bands - more information will follow shortly. This is for media.

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