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InRegalia is a Mumbai-based fusion rock band blending the sounds of classic/alternative rock with subtle nuances of Indian classical music. Get acquainted with InRegalia below, with band-members Vijay Fernandes (guitars), Pete Abraham (vocals), and Saurav Das (bass) acting as your guides.
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
Vijay: The band’s roots began in early 2011 when I met the former bass player through a musician who we were rehearsing with at the time. It went through quite a few line-up changes until March of 2012 when Pete auditioned for the singer’s part and joined the band. A year later, Warren joined us in 2013 after we’d auditioned several drummers. We’ve had a few good keyboard players who played for us during that time but it wasn’t until 2015 that we found Keith. Saurav took over the bass duties by the middle of 2018 after our bass player quit the band.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
Vijay: My first gig was at a small bar on the North East suburb of Indianapolis. I played as a rhythmic guitarist for a cover band singing harmonies and backups. I was a little nervous as expected since I had never played electric guitar in front of an audience before that. But it was exciting at the same time. The butterflies only lasted until the gig began but from there on, we were having fun on stage.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
Pete: Our music is based in rock with elements of Indian classical music, so it’s a nice blend for those listeners who want something slightly different than the usual. It also gives us an opportunity to introduce Indian classical to an audience who might have perhaps not heard something similar in the past. I personally enjoy goofing off with the audience, making jokes, and getting the crowd going. Not only does that make for a good show but the audience also feels engaged and like they’re a part of the gig too. We, of course, strive to execute as perfect a playing performance as we can but the bottom line is we want to have fun and ensure the crowd has a good time too. When it comes together, that energy is amazing and we thrive on it!
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
Saurav: A band has to have a strong social media game apart from writing great music. Today everything from concerts to releases and most of the listening and PR happens via social media. It has also become easier to record and release music these days thanks to technology, therefore, creating a far bigger clutter of music out there. To really stand out a band has to be ‘cooler’ on social media.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Vijay: There are quite a few songs that I’ve written, though the pandemic has derailed those plans. With the restrictions coming off, we’ll be meeting soon to resume working on these songs. The next single is slated to be released in a couple of months or so.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Pete: Rival Sons comes to mind. I mean these guys have been around for the better part of a decade and are a top act and I believe there’d be a cool synergy between our respective sounds. They have that old-school classic rock sound which we are also influenced by. Other bands that come to mind are Dirty Honey and Airbourne for similar reasons.
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
Saurav: Although he’s already pretty famous but UK based rapper/bass player Dylan Cartlidge has been consistently dropping some very fresh grooves. I think he’ll take the world by storm soon.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Vijay: My first musical memories go a long way back. I’m sure I did like music but was too young to understand. Though it was a last-minute decision, I decided to participate in a singing competition at school. I got trained by mom and surprisingly won first place. A few months later, during vacations, my mom decided to have me enrolled for guitar classes.
My light bulb moment though has to be the time I picked up the guitar after a six-year sabbatical. This was for a cultural event arranged by the Indian Students Association where I was asked to play guitar since I’d mentioned I did play at one point. I never left the guitar after that and kept working on music one way or the other. Music, to me, is an integral part of my life now.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Pete: In India, it was a show by renowned Bollywood singer Arijit Singh which happened in Jan 2020. Internationally I had the pleasure of seeing another personal favourite American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz back in May 2019. This answer would have included Iron Maiden but the pandemic cancelled their May 2020 show which I was to attend. We desperately wish, as fans and performers, that live gigs return soon and we get to see old favourites and new acts once again.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Pete: There was a wonderful Pakistani singer called Nazia Hassan whose album Disco Deewane (Crazy about Disco) was a smash hit back in the day. On the face of it and within too we are rockers and our music doesn’t necessarily suggest any disco influences but Nazia’s voice was one of a kind and those songs ranging from disco to dreamy pop have, I’m sure, been influential in some way.
Although 2020 was a year to forget for many reasons, there was some incredible music released; what would be your album of 2020?
Saurav: 2020 was bad but 2021 started worse so I’ll take some liberty here and name an album from 2021. I’m a huge Death Metal fan and Cannibal Corpse’s Violence Unimagined is an absolute masterpiece in horror. Many thought that after the departure of Pat O’Brien the band’s guitar work would never again reach such incredible levels but Erik Rutan has proved everyone wrong.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Vijay: We are quite active on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
InRegalia band bio
Based in the city of Mumbai in the western part of India, InRegalia is a band which plays Classic and Alternative Rock with elements of Indian classical music.
The band was founded by guitarist Vijay Fernandes. They were later joined by vocalist Peter Abraham, drummer Warren Swaries, Keith Pereira on keys and Saurav Das on bass. The band has been active on the Indian indie circuit playing at a number of venues in their home city and across the country. InRegalia has released three singles and two EP’s thus far. The band has received positive reviews and coverage in the press and blogs and their music has been aired on over 200 indie radio stations and podcasts worldwide.
The band is currently working on a string of singles culminating with an EP all of which is slated to be released this year.
Their music is available on all the major digital retail outlets and streaming platforms.
InRegalia band line-up
Peter Abraham – Vocals
Vijay Fernandes – Guitars
Keith Pereira – Keyboard
Saurav Das – Bass
Warren Swaries – Drums
