WHEN WE LAST spoke to singer Sanoli Chowdhury about her 2020 EP Everything is a monotonous game, she said her work is about love, loss and relationships. But his latest offer, A distant meadow, shows a more tolerant side of her. “A distant meadow it is to be lost, but without losing the sense of oneself. If there is an understanding of past relationships and experiences, now it’s about being present in the moment with yourself, ”the Bengaluru-based artist tells us. The five-track EP is rich in emotion and showcases Sanoli’s vocal qualities.

In the record, the artist focused on a more synthesized sound as opposed to his usual guitar-focused approach. “The sound road I’m trying to experience leans towards an ambient soundscape,” she tells us, adding, “The whole EP makes me feel like I’m in the middle of an open meadow. or a field. The word “distant” in the title conveys a sense of isolation and emptiness, but not in a negative sense. The whole EP tries to tell a very quiet experience with oneself.

Sax player
Tracks Poor movements, halfway home and Carved chess feature soft melodies complemented by strong textured vocals. Influences from singer Beth Gibbons and Portishead can be heard in the EP. The project also has collaborations with guitarist Leslie Charles and drummer Prabhu Muraleedharan. And at the same time, Gautam David, saxophonist of the city, also lends his tunes to the songs. “It was a new adventure for me,” she says of the experience. “I had a great time recording a new instrument. It added an interesting element to the whole EP. It gives the music an earthy, dreamy and honest feel. Gautam understood the music well, which made the process easier, ”adds Sanoli.

Cover story
A distant meadow also has a cover of the song Love will Tear Us Apart by British rock band Joy Division. While the original song is praised for its post-punk, almost grunge vibe, Sanoli’s version is a raw, but delicate, version of it. “I tried to keep the iconic bassline for my first attempt, but it didn’t sound like me or sound like me. So I just tried to figure it out from my perspective and did whatever felt right and came to me. It was a fun experience, a little objective too, ”she tells us. Then Sanoli is working on a longer album. “I’m still at this early stage of development and discovering my music. So I’m going to focus on that, ”she sums up.

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