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| Sunday, 6 April 2003 |
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Leading a trio in today's complex music industry is no easy task, but Anne Nathan, an experienced singer who has worked abroad as well as in Sri Lanka, looks upon the task as a challenge and is determined to make an impact with her trio Familiar Faces. "Music is in my heart and mind, I'll never settle for another profession" the pronouncement is tossed off with a 'coolness' that is Anne Nathan, when we met up for a pow wow. A first meeting with her and you sense this calmness immediately, which we guess is a plus considering the fact that she has to handle musicians who are renowned for their temperaments. 'Familiar Faces' under Anne Nathan's leadership became a reality last year and with ample support from her father and brother, she enjoys the complexities of organising rehearsals, confirming bookings and all the secretarial work that goes with leading a group. 'Familiar Faces' comprises besides singer Anne, experienced musicians Rolika Wickramathilaka on keyboards/vocals, and Rovil Woolff - guitar/vocals. "At present we play at the Oberoi on Sundays, then on Mondays we entertain guests at Ceylon Continental and Wednesday nights we drive down to the Tangerine. Of course there are the private functions and weddings for which we have been contracted" Anne clues us in. Influenced by the music of Suzi Quatro, Tina Turner, Cindy Lauper, Bonnie Tyler and Stevie Nicks, Anne admits the music scene in Sri Lanka has kangarooed. "The scene has advanced and progressed from what it was. There is a sense of competition present among the musicians, which is good. They have widened their repertoire, they have updated their equipment and more new combinations have moved into the scene. Yet it is a comforting thought that most of the new bands are playing the music of the '60s and '70s which means that today's youth are aware of and realise the wealth of the songs from these eras. There is a market for this repertoire, and what with Gold FM, TNL Lite and Classic Radio playing songs from these years, the demand has enhanced". Soon, besides her front line singing, Anne will also be playing rhythm, guitar along with the guitarist Rovil Woolf - himself an experienced lead and rhythm guitarist one time with Cosmic Rays. "I see to it that Rovil plays the parts that could be played live, are played live. I don't want to restrict him." Rolika Wickramathilaka keyboardist/vocalist, a full time musician and once with Aanjali Waidyasekera, besides being versatile in contemporary hits, has also a wide repertoire of the '60s and '70s hits. Where did it all start, this career in music? "No sooner I left school Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya," Swift was the reply. "I sang with Gaylord Revival managed by Vernon Perera then was one of the founder members of Summerset with leader/guitarist Anil Mendis before Jayanta de Alwis took over. We played at the Supper Club Oberoi for an eight year run and thereafter I went to Switzerland to play with bassist/vocalist Mike Gunasekera's quartet 'Serenade'. The keyboardist was Mahesh de Silva - now leader of 'Simple', with John Rodrigo - drums. It was an experience - invaluable - travelling and playing at night clubs. A good foundation too. From a four piece outfit the personnel changed and Serenade became a five piece group with Sampath Nanayakkara - guitar, Rizvi Marleen - keyboards and Himash Serasinghe - drums. When we returned to Sri Lanka in the '90s, Michael worked Serenade as a trio with Sampath Nanayakkara and we covered the southern circuit seven days a week. Serenade became a five piece some time later and we played a spell at the Hilton Lounge, before Michael left for Australia and the band disbanded. I carried on the - "never-say-die attitude" in this business. Worked with Diliup Gabadamudalige and then along came my destiny 'Familiar Faces' led by Anton Gunatilleke. Anton left for Papua New Guinea last year and so here I am leading the outfit now and taking up the challenge to make it a success for us." |
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