Meet Kitanu – Unchained and Connected.

When we first decided to make music we didn’t have any genre or deadline to commit too. The band just went with a style that merged individual, widely varying styles of all five members making each song sound unique. Throw in the folksy, trippy sound of a Sarod to influences of other members that stemmed from Jazz, Funk, Rock & Roll, Blues, Metal and Bossa Nova the idea was to just make good music and have fun. Featuring Rohan Prasanna on Sarod, Siddhant Sarkar on vocals, Omkar Raghupatruni on guitar, Guru Ganapathi on drums and Arman Handa on Bass Guitar – Kitanu!

What would you be doing today if not for this interview? 

We’re all spiritual people and we believe everything in the Universe is at its right place so we can’t think of anything else we’d be doing if not for this interview today. 

If you were to introduce your music and genre to someone unaware of your music, how would you? 

Sarod blended into elements of Funk, Rock N Roll, Jazz, Disco, Bossa Nova etc.

Tell us something about your latest single. Inspiration behind the name and the project. 

Our self titled EP is named after our band Kitanu. The name Kitanu came from a jam room story when one day I (Siddhant) showed up to the jam ill. Now this was pre-covid so not frowned upon and to be honest, I thought my bandmates would be happy by my dedication. Instead, what I got was a lot of jokes and leg pulling because of the constant cough and phlegm and then one joke led to the other and eventually the name – Kitanu. 

One artist you’d like to collaborate with, but you know it’s not the right time now. 

We’d like to experiment with a trumpet player later down the line, but for now, there are other things to get in order. 

According to you, what does it take to earn the acclaimed badge of “Established Artist”?

When you’re happy with what you’re doing and it’s also giving you the returns that you yearned for, monetarily, emotionally and psychologically.

Your Highlight performance till date and why so?

Since this was our debut EP, our highlight performance is yet to happen which I’m sure will be our first gig together because we’ll remember it and it’s gonna be grand (hopefully). 

An artist’s Best Friend is? 

Inspiration. No art without inspiration.

What was the first ever instrument you played?

We all started with different instruments and we think all instrument inspire and develop your musical senses a particular way.

For me (Siddhant), it was actually a harmonium and a tabla that I got started out with – eventually moved on to a little bit of guitar and harmonica. Rohan, was born with a Sarod (a joke we all share because of his flawless playing) and Omkar picked up the guitar and he’s a full fledged guitarist. However to be honest, we like to look at ourselves as “musicians” rather than associate ourselves with a particular instrument. As we grow, we’re venturing into new spaces – both Omkar and Rohan are now also into mixing whereas I try to dabble with a new instrument now and then. 

How has your place of Origin been an influence to your music?

It obviously helps that we’re lucky enough to be able to play our music in the city we were all born in, so the local support we got was pretty decent. Also, like I mentioned that we’re all spiritual people and that reflects in our work process, thought flow and eventually the music – so I guess the place of origin plays a very important role.

How are the psychological rewards in this career you have chosen? 

 Fulfilling.

Well, thank you once again for spending time with us, giving us valuable insight into your career. We wish you all the very best of luck in your endeavors. See you soon at a Concert.

“Kitanu“ is out now on all major streaming platforms, hence it is pretty much going to be a convenient swipe left or right for you listeners to begin the mass consumption. Also conveniently leaving embedded above.

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