Interview - The Hoodwink Circle
by: surya

In conversation with ‘The Hoodwink Circle” – A 4 piece band from Mumbai

Band Members –

Aidan Lewis – Vocals, Guitar

Sanjeev – Lead Guitar

Ishaan – Bass

Joshua – Drums

Surya - The Hoodwink Circle - How did you guys come together , when & how ?

Aidan - Sanjeev & me both started playing guitar abt 7yrs back... with time and looking around ,  both of us wanted to find the right people  to play with and ensure that we do not stagnate playing the same old songs. Basically we were looking for musicians who would help us grow. All these wishes were answered by Joshua & Ishaan. Joshua is my college buddy and he was the college drummer, Ishaan  - the bassist for Nandoo bhende band. After a awesome first rehearsal (7 songs done on the 1st jam!!) a band was born.

Surya - The Band name – Its strange one…How did that come about ?

Aidan - We have run through about 3 names before our current one. (Wasabi! being one of them). The christening of our band was achieved after an amalgamation of some good quality music and Whisky. Josh and I were chilling at Sanjeev's house, after a jam,  when I started flipping through a dictionary, one of the words we liked was - Hoodwink and another word that was very apt at describing our relationship - Circle. The true meaning behind these words can be simply explained by looking up our individual influences, which is a very large 'mixed bag' of genres. Hence the music that we play can be a tad bit ' deceiving ' with regard to our genre as a band. This deception can be also described as tangents, but all formed to the same cirlce..... a circle of close friends.......the four of us! Ishaan Krishna is a stickler for grammar insisted on adding a determinant to it. So the final result was 'The Hoodwink Circle.'

It was only about a week or two later when the realized that the initials of the band are THC, which is pretty awesome. 

Surya - What kind of music inspires each one of you, considering all four of THC members have different tastes ?

Aidan – Blues, funk, rock, progressive, swing and jazz
Sanju – Blues, funk, rock, progressive metal, thrash metal, dark metal (anything to do with    metal) funk-jazz and Indian classical.
Ishaan – Funk, punk, blues, progressive.
Joshua – Jazz, swing, indian classical, western classical, funk, rock, metal, progressive, funk-jazz, blues, hip hop (All genres).

Surya - What about your originals - How does it come about ?

Aidan -Every one has an equal say in any part of any song. The lyrics are all written by me with Ishaan nudging me ahead if I get blocked. There never was or will be any programmed method to our creativity. We just go With the Flow.

Surya - What's been the past - ie gigs events etc ?

Aidan -Well, we started out rehearsing in places which had no lights or fans; in buildings which were still not constructed completely. As a band, we have struggled like hell in the past but it was solely our determination that has gotten us where we are; and from playing for alcohol for friends parents parties to rigged competitions where the judges were part of bands performing, we surely have come a long way!

Surya – Tell me about Individual Strengths?

Sanju - He is pure Insanity on stage. He enhances every song he puts his hands and mind too. Any guitar he touches can sound brilliant. His ability to always push everyone and mindblowing technique makes him a force to be reckoned with. His humility and approachability is just the icing on the cake.

Ishaan – Is the only guy that I know, that has an alien like grasping power. The ease by which he completes songs and makes them sound cool is something that always amazes me. Although he is the youngest member of the band he always has something new to show us at every rehearsal. Half of the credit for us sounding soo tight belongs to him. His 'dazzling wits' and funny sarcasm simply stand testament against people who say that "bassist are boring people".

Joshua - The other half of the credit for our tightness belongs to Mr. Vaz. His energy on stage is infectious. Technique , Tempo & Timing are the 3 T's every drummer hopes to conquer . Fortunately for us, Josh has all these three in his pocket. His sights are always set high and his feet always on the ground. This quality along with his slightly whacked out behavior and generosity makes him a great dude to hang out with.

Surya – What about Individual Weakness?

Sanju - Food , Women with low self esteem   & Crackle.

Ishaan - Good Books , THC , Food , The color Orange.

Joshua - Food , Scotch , Woman .

Aidan – Food , Woman and Music

Surya –Band mates, Nicknames if any ?

Aidan – The Rabbit, driver, janitor, vajanitor, dyslexic vajanitor.
Sanju- The Dragon, and 2 words which start with the initials S and F.
Ishaan - Vishu, vishwesh, popesh, paraplegic janitor.
Joshua – The Wiper, choco boy.

Surya - What keeps you bonded so that other bands can take a que ?

Aidan - Friends, FOOD & Fun are three reasons we hang out after a jam. The four of us are a family, so any setbacks , triumphs , worries , or joys are shared  at all times. Our relationship lies beyond the music we make. In fact the Music we make is a Testament to our Friendship. I couldn’t ask for a better set of guys to call family.

Surya – THC’s Future plans - OC's, Videos, performances etc ?

Aidan -Our material is ready, and we’re all set to go to the studio and record it. Hopefully, it will be released very soon (with a music video!).

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