French rock band finds Bollywood music 'exotic'

Members of French rock band Colt Silvers know very little about Indian music, but they find it -- especially Bollywood songs -- "exotic".

"We know very little about Indian music, it's very exotic for us, the Bollywood music. But we love the sounds, the sitar. We are here to discover the country and learn more about the music," Nicolas, the band's bass player, told IANS in an email interview.

"Sometimes, when we create music on computers, we can access Indian sounds and use them, it gives us access to new sounds as rock musicians," he added.

Hailing from the city of Strasbourg, Colt Silvers also comprises vocalist Tristan, guitarist Florian and drummer Julien. Termed as the French Alt J by the popular magazine Les Inrockuptibles, the band produces intense indie electro rock which is inspired by pop culture.

The band started gaining popularity beyond France within a year of their inception with the debut release "Night of the Living Robots" in 2009. Their latest album "Swords", co-produced and mixed by the Grammy nominated Fab Dupont, filled with danceable and feel-good tracks received rave reviews.

The band was in India as part of the Bonjour India Rock tour, presented by the French Institute in India.

Bonjour India Rock Tour brings together youth from France and India to take French rock to new audiences and allow new collaborations in lesser explored parts of India. With the aim to strengthen Indo-French ties, the platform aims to promote innovation and creativity.

Talking about how they plan to extend their association with India, Tristan, the vocalist, said: "We don't know yet but we hope so... We would like to come back."

--IANS

nv/rb/bg