|
Nilma Dole
The first time we saw alternative unplugged band `Cadenced’ was at
the Onstage finals last year where they proved to be quite a rocking and
potential band. So we caught up with them to see where they were
musically going and what they planned to do.
Introducing the band was their leader Ashan Algama - vocalist,
percussionist and guitarist, who said, “We have guitarist Kusal and
bassist Devaka who also back me up on vocals and the guy with the punk
hair is our drummer dude Elmo”.
Talking about coining the name `Cadenced’, the guys said that they
were chatting online while brainstorming the name. Says Ashan, “We
wanted a name to define music but also have a good meaning”.
 With a bit of google help, we found out that in musical terms, the
word `Cadenced’ means a progression of chords moving to a harmonic
close, point of rest, or sense of resolution.
“We were pleased that the name actually meant something, and the fact
that we had sent a demo tape (done about two years ago) to the Onstage
organisers who had requested for a name, we decided on `Cadenced’”
exclaimed Kusal.Ashan and Kusal wanted to start a band for a long time
and the rest of the guys grouped together after they met Devaka at their
local choir and then thereafter with Elmo.
“We actually formed the band two weeks before Onstage” said Ashan.
Speaking about their musical influences, Kusal said, “We have a varied
taste of music interests, it’s a wide repertoire because we used to play
some Jazz and alternative rock including metal. Our top three most
influential bands would be the Eagles, Opeth and Godsmack.”
Kusal is more an acoustic alternative rock lover, Ashan goes for
classical while Elmo is a metal head. Devaka is apparently interested in
all kinds of music. The band is totally committed to playing unplugged
`raw’ music which means they don’t believe in synchronised beats or
anything. “We set our goals differently and even though we got into
Onstage, it was really lady luck that made us perform well enough to
make it to the finals” said Ashan.
Eventually, `Cadenced’ came up with an original called `Be Here’
which was received well by the music audience. “We have an excellent
lyricist whose name is Raiza and she wrote `Be Here’ for us to musically
arrange it. It came out awesomely” said Kusal. One of the problems for
band commitment is that they all have full time jobs. “It is difficult
to make a career out of music in Sri Lanka so that’s why we’re just
jamming less frequently than during the Onstage days.
However, we are open to playing at gigs and glad to play provided
there are good sponsors for it” adds the guys with a smile.
Rightly so, Kusal tells that he’s working for an IT company, Devake
is into Advertising, Elmo sells insurance for a living and Ashan is a
budding architect. Diverse tastes in music reflect their careers but
`Cadenced’ are always up for doing something different.
As for advice, they said, “Don’t be afraid to do what you like and
just give it a try especially if you want to make your mark in music”.
Further, they also said, “ In terms of their future, they want to make a
name in the local music industry before they even think of going
international. “We are in the process of producing our EP which will be
released one day” said Ashan. In addition to that, they are open to any
gigs or helping out in charitable causes.
`Cadenced’ acknowledges their family, friends and other
instrumentalists like Murad Ismail for his advice and support and Aruna
Siriwardena. “We would like to say a big `Thank You’ to all our fans who
have stood by us for us to make it this far” they said.
Pix by Ruwan De Silva
|
