It’s a shame we never had a Cotton Club to call our own. As if to compensate, we were given Jazz by the Bay until that too gave way to the dreaded prefix ‘Not Just’. Dreams of smoky lairs and coiffured ladies snuffed, even the music began to migrate into the woodwork. Every now and then though these harmonies found their way into a tune and soon bands like Something Relevant were bringing these influences back.

Despite playing numerous gigs over the past five years, it is still hard to classify this motley crew. The stock seven players look like the guys next door would if they had a garage band and they have guest performers help out occasionally too. With influences as varied as its members, you can expect a potpourri of blues, jazz, swing, reggae, rock and even some Indian fusion at their shows. What’s more, their shows contain a nice blend of covers and originals peppering their performances with humour to keep it personal. They aren’t just about Ipods and headphones either. Music is a shared experience. Stuart, the bassist with the funny bone insists, “The connection between the audience and performer has corroded over the years where musicians have receded into the background. By improvising and keeping it interactive, the shows command a lot more attention and make it easier to experiment.”

Having covered speakeasies and elite clubs like Blue Frog and Hard Rock Café, they have now teamed up with the Women Graduates Union to raise money for the empowerment of women. This NGO provides not just the infrastructure required to facilitate the education of women but has also set up scholarships to help achieve that end. Performing along with Rang, a college band at Y. B. Chavan on the 23rd of February, this troupe is garnering as much support as it can with all proceeds making a beeline for a good cause. Easy listening never felt this good.

For more information log on to: http://www.somethingrelevant.org