MUMBAI: Known for performing with his jazz ensemble Aditya Balani Group around the world, guitarist Aditya Balani turns singer-songwriter for his new EP, ‘Constants & Variables’. The EP, which was released on 4 September, 2015, sees Aditya extend his songwriting skills to a genre – alternative rock – that he isn’t usually associated with. Aditya will also be performing around the country as part of the EP release tour.

With two successful projects to his name – the jazz ensemble Aditya Balani Group, a motley group of jazz musicians from around the world and the alternative fusion project, Adi & Suhail with sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan – ‘Constants & Variables’ is the guitarist’s new project in the alternative music space. The EP is the guitarist fourth release, after his debut album ‘Answers’ in 2013.

“I write quite regularly and over the years in addition to the music I have released, there is a lot of additional material that doesn’t fit in the jazz or fusion genre. Over the last year or so this particular sound – alternative or indie – has been my mode of expression,” says Aditya of his motivation to release the new EP.

The four-track EP, called ‘Constants & Variables’, see Aditya create melodies that are hummable and write songs on extremely relatable subjects like regret, passion, life and the struggle to do our best. Aditya’s music style is simple but not simplistic. The music centres around the sounds of the guitar, bass and drums with a healthy dose of electronic influences gently weaved in.

“The initial process of writing is very organic, where it’s just me sitting with a guitar working on melody, lyrics and harmony, pretty much like a singer-songwriter would. Once the songs are ready I shift gears and sit down to arrange them, thinking about what kind of instrumentation, drum groove, basslines I’m looking for. That is the process of bringing the song to life, much like what a music producer does. I really enjoy shifting between these different roles,” Aditya explains his song writing process.

The EP features Aditya Balani on vocals and guitars, Andres Rotmistrovsky on bass, Tarana Marwah on keyboards and backing vocals and JJ on drums.

Gig Details:
Aditya Balani would be performing gigs throughout September and October to promote his new EP, as a four-member band. The four-piece setup, apart from Aditya on guitars and vocals, will include Tarana Marwah (keys, backing vocals, electronic), Amar Pandey (bass) and Suyash Gabriel (drums).  Komorebi by Tarana Marwah will be the support act alongside Aditya Balani on the EP release tour.

City: Chandigarh
Date: 14 September, 2015
Venue: Whistling Duck
Time: 9 pm

City: Kolkata
Date: 25 September, 2015
Venue: Jamsteady (Princeton Club)
Time: 9 pm

City: Pune
Date: 9 October, 2015
Venue: High Spirits
Time: 9 pm

City: Bangalore
Date: 11 October, 2015 
Venue: The Humming Tree
Time: 9 pm

City: Delhi
Date: TBC
Venue: Qla