Music

Yasmin on her own

After 13 1/2 years with Sohan & the X'periments, the versatile lead vocalist is on the verge of a solo career:

by Mahes Perera

In the face of the current onslaught of hip-hop, rap and rock, Yasmin de Silva analysing her career thus far, feels she now has a different path to follow. And has made up her mind to follow it.

The accomplished and versatile lead vocalist of the popular band Sohan & the X'periments, Yasmin has decided to move into whole new world of being a solo artiste. "I've been with Sohan for 13 1/2 years and I never regretted my decision after I joined the band. In fact I enjoyed myself. I learnt a lot about stage presentations from him, I had glorious opportunities to visit the world and perform in Australia, Germany, America, Sweden, Canada, France, Thailand and the Middle East - my passport is crammed with names of countries! It was a new experience every time we performed on a different global stage - an experience that will live as treasured memories," reminisces Yasmin.

Now in this new phase in her career, what could her fans look forward to? "This was something. I always wanted to do, go solo.

But opportunity did not come my way. I have a wide repertoire - naturally playing in a band like Sohan's we had to be on the ball - so it was old favourites to contemporary pop, hits of the 70s and 80s, Sinhala pops, soul and of course my forte - the ballads," she says, adding that Whitney Houston's 'I will Always Love You' may well be her signature tune! Some of her other favourites include Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly', 'Stand By Your Man', 'Diana Ross', 'This Thing Called Love' and 'Lovely Day'.

Yesterday Once More

In fact Yasmin de Silva will be featured in the popular concert series 'Yesterday Once More' produced by Damayantha Kuruppu, which will go on the boards on July 19.

In a spool back of her music career, Yasmin's beginnings were in her home. Her father, Placidus Fonseka, was a recognised pianist and his family of sons and daughters were talented singers, so much so they earned the name 'Fon Trapp Singers' and were in demand for performances. Yasmin joined her sister, Shyami, who was already a solo performer for various cabaret spots, before she decided to join her first band Zaragon. "Miles Roche, the bassist, was the leader and the other well talented musicians were Desmond White - vocals, the late Jehan Senaratne - piano and Bubu Wijesinghe - drums and Emile Heynesbergh - guitar. We performed at the Renuka, which was then a popular night spot. After Zaragon, it was Heathrow for me, then Pearl then Diliup Gabadamudalige and the X'periments," adds Yasmin.

Playing in a band for 13 1/2 years with a family and a husband to look after and a home to run, the odds were against Yasmin, considering the fact that band work meant nights out and weekends too. Yet she faced it all with a smiles. So should girls take up to music as career here in Sri Lanka?

Discipline is important

"A music career is like any other career. I will encourage young girls if they are highly talented and know how to keep their head above their shoulders to take to it. Financially it is good. I know many musicians who were able to build their own homes with the money they earned.

However, discipline is important, especially for rehearsals and practises, for a band. We were drilled into going for a booking half an hour earlier to check the sound balance.

No last minute sound balance checks. This is something present day youth must learn. I've seen them strolling in ten minutes before show time. It won't do. Dedication and hard work is the requirement.

"In comparison to singers of yesteryear, today's singers and musicians are at an advantage since Google is now a friend. Lyrics, music tracks and exercises - vocal or instrumental are available with just a click.

"So the effort, like in the early years to listen to the radio and tape off the songs they like and then play the tape back laboriously to get the lyrics is not there. Today's musicians and singers ride on a kind of magic carpet to establish themselves," she elaborates.

Yasmin - the versatile vocalist - is on one side of the coin and on the other side, she's far from green when it comes to dealing with business affairs. Running parallel with rehearsals with the band, show time performances, trips abroad, Yasmin started an Elders Home in Athurugiriya for the less affluent and it is now ten years since it was established. She does not look upon it as baggage but as a service, a trait inherited from the family.

"I'm an organist at Padre Pio Shrine, religious minded too and this has taught me to be calm and take things one at a time. I hardly get ruffled in life - especially at home, what with two sons and a husband who could be demanding. My spiritual belief has helped me to come thus far and I'm confident that my solo flight will take me to greater heights.

"I'm looking forward to enjoying my performances at private functions, stage shows, sing-a-longs and any other occasion where the bottom line is singing. Sohan & the X'periments have a new singer now and if my services are needed, I'll always be with the X'periments. Wish me well and do drop a line to [email protected]," she says.

The thing that got Yasmin thus far is that she loves to do what she does and that's sing.