West Ashore-d

In town to perform as part of 10 D's 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Tidal wave is not new to the city.

As Tidal Wave started from the shores of Goa to reach 10 D’s rink, we got onto the same frequency and chatted with Tony, one of the founders and the bassist of the band.

Cluburb: Hi Tony, how are you and the band doing?

Tony for Tidal Wave: We’re doing good, thanks.

C: Please tell us about Tidal Wave.

T: Tidal wave is a pop-rock, trance, retro, ballroom, reggae and Goan music band. We were founded in ’96.

C: How's been the ride so far?

T: Not everyone who was there then is with Tidal Wave still. I have been there right from the start, I’d started as a drummer.

We’re four of us as of now. I’m on the bass. Then there’s Christopher on the drums, Michael on the keyboard and Xavier on the guitar.

C: Which is the band’s favorite genre/band/artist?

T: Our favorite is Toto’s. We love Police, too. And our favorite genre remains pop-rock, naturally. Our favorite artist is Phil Collins. I, personally, love his music a lot.

C: Who's the lead singer? And what about original tracks?

T: I sing in our current configuration. Tidal Wave has had a couple of originals, but not too many. For example ‘Forever’ and ‘I’ll Be There’. The latter had been sung by a band member as a tribute to someone close who we lost. None of these are by any of the current members, though.

C: Do you travel a lot for the performances? Which is your favourite place?

T: We have been performing at a lot of places, like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata etc. We have been coming to Hyderabad itself for the past ten years quite often. To 10 D mostly and to Firangi Paani, HICC, B&C etc.

We have always loved 10D and we really enjoy playing to Hyderabad’s crowd. They’re one of those who have always asked for Konkani music towards the end. Hyderabad and Bangalore are our top favourites, besides Goa of course.

C: What is most enjoyable about playing in Goa? Where can we catch you in Goa when we come down?

T: Goa holds these traditional dances often, which used to go on till 6 am in the morning earlier. Now, due to some new orders, this has not been happening. Tidal Wave has performed to a lot of these dances. Those happen around Christmas and New Year’s and other occasions. The Goa Carnival is one time when these dances are really cool and we have played for them a lot in the past.

We regularly play on Friday evenings at Cavala on Baga Beach at Calangute, Goa. Unless 10 D’s birthday falls on one of the Fridays! (laughs)

C: You have opened for many bands. Please tell us about that.

T: Yes, we have opened for many celebrated artists and groups. We had opened Colonial Cousins Live Concert first. Then we opened for them when Deep Purple visited Goa in 2002.  All these concerts have been great experiences and amazing times that we had.

C: Are you going to release some of your own music now?

T: Nothing in near future. This is so because we play every week at Cavala. So, we jam and practice everyday because we want to keep ourselves fresh. This takes up a lot of our time and we find less time for making our own music.

C: What will you be playing tomorrow for Hyderabad?

T: We’ll be playing from our own favourites of pop-rock and maybe even bhangra, who knows! We’d want all who’re reading this to come and enjoy the evening with us and wish 10 D a happy birthday. Because we maybe coming there with surprises!

C: We will look forward to that, Tony, see you tomorrow.

T: See you!

Tidal Wave is often greeted by Hyderabadis at Cavala and reminded of their last stint here. Obviously, they entertain all requests and play for them.