They are set to rock S'pore

They are set to rock S'pore

This musically talented trio have been composing and playing music for almost three decades but Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa - collectively known as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - have not lost steam and say that the secret that keeps them going is that they take each day as a new day.

"We do look back on what we've done over the years but it's always about the road ahead that matters. Sometimes in the studio when we're writing the music, we have no idea what will transpire until later on," said Loy.

The trio, who were behind the music for hit Bollywood films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Salaam-e-Ishq, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and, most recently, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and D-Day among many others, were in town on Sept 30 for a press conference to introduce their upcoming performance, The Firebrand Of Indian Music. The concert, brought in by DML Live, will be held on Oct 19 at The Star Theatre.

Shankar said the group is very excited to be performing in Singapore again.

"I remember we performed at the Esplanade some years back and I think they (the venue) did not allow any dancing there and we didn't say anything but everyone was up on their feet, dancing," said Shankar, who had shot to fame with his 1998 Breathless album.

"Singapore is always a rocking crowd," added the 46-year-old.

The three who have a repertoire of songs under their belt noted a big challenge when planning their concert.

Said Ehsaan: "We had just performed in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and we had trouble deciding on what songs to play and what not to because we could not fit everything into that time. And it was difficult to decide which songs to leave out. But it was such an experience to be on stage for the audience there."

They also shared that the audience in Singapore might get a little treat from them as they pay tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema.

"We did a little segment during the concerts in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur on 100 years of Indian cinema where we had our own rendition of music from the greats of yesteryear," said Ehsaan to which Shankar added that they might do the same for their Singapore fans.

The Firebrand Of Indian Music will be Shankar's second concert that weekend. A day earlier, he will be a part of The Pulse Of Tamil Music with the top names of the Tamil music industry, namely S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P Sailaja, Shweta Mohan and S.P.B Charan. It will also take place at The Star Theatre.

It is the first time Shankar will be sharing the stage with singing legend S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and that is a dream come true for him, he said.

"About Balu sir... what can I say? To say that he is a living legend is not enough. His voice is the definition of south India. Every singer wants to sing like him," added Shankar.

The local media and guests were also given a teaser of what to expect of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy concert as they seamlessly played three songs - Kal Ho Naa Ho, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and A.R. Rahman's song Enna Solla Pogirai, from the Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain, for which Shankar had lent his voice. With Ehsaan and Loy on the guitar, Shankar took control of the microphone and sang a medley of songs.

Once they ended, Shankar told the media: "For more of these, come for the concerts!"

å jamunas@sph.com.sg

The Pulse Of Tamil Music will be held on Oct 18, 7.30pm to 11pm, at The Star Theatre.

Tickets are at $240, $160, $90 and $48.

The Firebrand Of Indian Music featuring Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will be on Oct 19, 7.30pm to 11pm, at The Star Theatre.

Tickets are at $260, $175, $99 and $48. For enquiries on either concert, please e-mail info@dmllive.com. To buy tickets

for either concert, call 6348-555 or log on to www.sistic.com.sg


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