This was the introduction I had to GoldSpot, a New York-based band, through their song 'Friday'. Respected indie- radio stations on the Northern East and West coasts of the United States started playing 'Friday' on loop, followed by BBC Asia Networks in the United Kingdom, and slowly, their songs drifted East to reach India.
Started off by frontman Siddhartha Khosla, who is of Indian descent, GoldSpot is Indian in more than just name.
"As a child I spent most of my summers in India. My favourite drink in those days used to be the now-defunct orange soda 'Goldspot'. The name brings me back to my childhood. It also makes me nostalgic for the 1980's. Thus, when I started a band, I named my band after the drink that most strongly evoked childhood memories," Khosla told ANI over email.
GoldSpot boasts off a mostly American line-up, with Khosla being the only Indian touch in the band. Critics have described their music as a 'blend of New Jersey and New Delhi'. However, the group has managed to pull off songs with a tinge of Indian-ness to it with panache.
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"We have never had any difficulties adapting Indian tunes into our music. I grew up listening to Indian music. By this point, it's probably in my DNA (if that's even possible). And I just pass my knowledge on to my bandmates," said Khosla.
GoldSpot also made history when the band became the first act at the famous O2 Arena in London, when they opened for Jon Bon Jovi at a festival there.
"We were technically the first band to perform there, but it was while opening for Bon Jovi. It was their show, after all. It was a huge honour to open for the Jovi. I'm a New Jersey boy myself, and that band is legendary out in the dirty Jerz. Playing for 20,000 people was unbelievable," said Khosla.
GoldSpot is travelling to India to perform in the Bacardi NH7 Weekender in the Pune and New Delhi editions of the series of concerts, and the band is excited to be participating in it.
"We are excited and honoured to be playing at the Weekender. Personally speaking, I am grateful to be performing in my ancestral home. We're just a little indie-rock band, proud to be coming to India to perform for our great fans," said Khosla.
