The acid test for music or an act is often considered as how it sounds live. But for Don Bhatt and Passenger Revelator that is the only way they know to play — even when they are recording. Donn, whose first solo album One Way Circle in 2006 was produced from his New Delhi bedroom, even today, records in regular spaces with his band mates Ashwin Andrew, Nayantara Bhaktal and Sankarshan Kini. So effectively, even their recorded tracks are live sets. Of course, there have been times when they have considered opting for a studio, but for their music to stay free from any kind of outside pressure, this works best. “All our music is recorded from home. We like the imperfections. We like the sounds and all the things that happen with music in a natural setting,” says Donn.
Currently touring the country with the spacey yet uplifting music from the album also called Passenger Revelator, the act comes with the right mix of organic and electronic. As Donn brings his ‘great Indian rock’ influences and his precision as a producer, Kini adds to the organic relief with trumpets and violin.
What really stands as testimony is the fact that the country saw a lot of music festivals, even in some unlikely places, such as the recent Magnetic Fields festival in Rajasthan. Although the band felt that the turnout could have been better, it acknowledges the importance of the festivals.
As a live act, the five bring a mellow yet compelling energy into the audience. This perhaps explains why they are among the favourites in the live music arena. In a span of less than a month, the band had played at Magnetic Fields Festival, NH7 and Zambhala Yoga fest in Goa, before playing for the Rowson’s Reserve Off the Records in Hyderabad. “We are just going to play right now. Singles will continue to be released online which is all for free download,” informs Donn.
