13 Tracks that Inspired the Berklee Indian Ensembles Grammy-Nominated Debut Fresh off a Grammy nomination for Shuruaat, the ensemble members share their stories and build a playlist of their musical influences.
By
John Mirisola
December 9, 2022
The most amazing thing about BIE is that it's like a large energy ball that absorbs all music that comes its way, says Dhruv Goel B.M. '15, vocalist and composer for the Berklee Indian Ensemble (BIE). That stylistic fluidity is on full display in the ensemble's Grammy-nominated debut album, Shuruaat, where songs seamlessly incorporate influences and instruments that span the globe and draw from all corners of the musical world-from California to Bangladesh, from prog-rock guitars to Carnatic vocal techniques. It's a porousness that reflects the inclusive spirit of the ensemble, which draws its expansive sound from a truly global collective of players, all united by their deep friendship and an interest in Indian musical forms, but each bringing their own personality and style to the mix.
The Unlikely Origins of Shuruaat
Learn the story behind this uncommon album, and dive deep into the lore behind every song in this track-by-track video feature.
As the group transitioned from a student ensemble in the early 2010s to the 12-member professional touring outfit it is today (students still have access to the ensemble's academic successor, the South Asian Ensemble), this distinctive blend of influences has helped define the Berklee Indian Ensemble sound, even as the band continues exploring new sonic terrain. So on the heels of its Grammy nomination, what better way to dig deeper into the ensemble's aesthetic than to hear what its members were listening to as they made Shuruaat?
Below, meet each member, learn about their path to the Berklee Indian Ensemble, and listen to the tracks that influenced their contributions to Shuruaat at the end of the article.
Yogev Gabay
Image by Ariel Efron
Yogev Gabay B.M. '16 (Israel)-Drums Could you describe your musical background? I started playing drums at the age of 8, and stopped two years in, after my teacher died. Picked it up again in high school, and started playing in local cover bands as well as in the citys youth brass orchestra, which is where I learned how to read music. Spent my army service in the army band and joined the Rimon School of Music (a Berklee global partner school) later on. Three years after that I came to Berklee and the rest is history. Or on Spotify.
How did you first come to the Berklee Indian Ensemble, and what kept you involved with the group? I've been deeply interested in Indian rhythms forever, but sadly couldn't find anything about it in Israel. When I came to Berklee, I got involved in a bunch of Berklee video sessions and was invited to play with a visiting Indian percussionist. Met Annette [Philip] there, sent my audition videos, got accepted, never left.
Besides the music being very challenging, new, and exciting, I really really got attached to the people involved, who are some of my best friends today. Also, the attention to detail that goes into literally everything this group does is something that resonates with me in the highest levels.
Whats your favorite song on Shuruaat? Oh boy. Who do you love more, mom or dad?
My top two, I'd say, are Sundari Pennae and Unnai Kaanadhu Naan. Unnai feels like the most stripped down traditional sounding Indian song, and I selfishly love my role there. I play these small Indian bells throughout the whole song; it's great. And Sundari, it's Sundari. I love the group effort that went into it and the prog element we've added, and I feel like that's the direction we're going more and more, which is great.
Whats one piece of music that has inspired your approach to playing in this ensemble? Listening to Snarky Puppy, specifically the Ground Up album, really taught me a lot about how to navigate and approach being a drummer in a large ensemble in addition to how to play when there is a lot of percussion involved. You can find a good example for this on the track Binky, especially the ending.
Yoel Genin
Image courtesy of the artist
Yoel Genin (a.k.a. Shwesmo) B.M. '16 (Israel)-Guitar, Buzuki Could you describe your musical background? I started learning piano and music when I was 6. I've been composing music since I can remember myself. Discovered the guitar at 12 and never left it. Got into prog-metal music very early on as a teenager, and as my passion for music grew rapidly I felt that it was going to be what I do for life. I studied at Rimon School of Music for two years, and was lucky enough to be able to attend Berklee for another two years and complete my degree in jazz composition, where I also went back to more Middle Eastern roots of music, as well as progressed deeper into the jazz fusion world. Nowadays I've shifted gears a bit, combining my influences into the context of electronic bass music. Also grateful to come full circle and be faculty at Berklee.
How did you first come to the Berklee Indian Ensemble, and what kept you involved with the group? Yogev [Gabay], who was the drummer for the ensemble at the time, told me I had to join him there because it's amazing. I did. And he was right.
It opened up a door for me to explore a new style of music I wasn't familiar with and at the same time have enough room to contribute my own musical ideas, and be myself stylistically (hence, buzuki, a greek instrument in Indian music). Above all, the Indian ensemble always felt like a big family that cared and enjoyed each other no matter what.
Whats your favorite song on Shuruaat? It's a hard choice, but probably has to be Dua. I actually didn't take part in recording it at all; it was completely new to me. Its such a
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13 Tracks that Inspired the Berklee Indian Ensembles Grammy-Nominated Debut Fresh off a Grammy nomination for Shuruaat, the ensemble members share their stories and build a playlist of their musical influences.
