Music video, to bring instrumental music to mainstream:Stephen Devassy

In India, where many accomplished musiciansdo not release an album without vocals, here's a young, talented musician allset to release a wholly instrumental album. Stephen Devassy, one of the mostaccomplished pianists and keytar artists in the country, speaks to us about hispath-breaking album titled Project 70.

Tellus a little about Project 70. Why the title?

The name 'Project 70' comes from the timeframe set  for the album's production -the  "conception to execution"has been 70 days. Having nine pure instrumental tracks, this is an albumcomprising of 'orchestral and synthetic sounds'.

Whatare the highlights of the album?

I have used a huge string family ofviolins, violas, cellos, and double bass for some of the numbers. The albumwill feature piano solos as well. A wide range of emotions and feelings havebeen captured in the album. The track 'Mum's lullaby' stays true to its titleand is soft and melodic. 'Aliens in the city' is a high energy track. Thenthere's a track titled Duana in Yaman. Duana means poem and Yaman is the nameof an Indian raag. This massive piecewill make one happy and up for dancing.

Tellus about the music videos. It's a first from your side.

I never thought about a music videoactually. But then it occurred, with so much happening on social networks,maybe I can bring this side of music (the instrumental side) to mainstream,bring something other than Bollywood and R&B to the majority of masses,through a music video more effectively.

Didall the recording, including those of the orchestras featured in the video,happen when the music video was shot?

Yes, almost all of it was shot live.However, there was some post-recording done in the sound studio as well. Forexample, the drum set was placed too close to the strings and it caused someleakage. All these errors had to be rectified. The studio where video shootingwas done was not exactly apt for sound recording you see.

Isthere any particular person who is an inspiration for this album?

Project 70 has been inspired by LSubramaniam (ace violinist, composer and conductor). I have worked with him inmany projects which also included making music for the London SymphonyOrchestra and Global Symphony Orchestra.

Youare one of the busiest performers. What's more thrilling, studio time or liveperformance?

I love to work in studios. I started withmusic production so that's my base. I have too many things in my brain that Iwant to put out before I die (laughs). So, studio is where all that happens.But I also grab at every opportunity. Even if it's a small show, I take it as achance to connect with people who like to listen to my music. So from studio tostage, I've seen the journey but now I can't choose between the two, I loveboth equally.

Tellus about your upcoming tours and projects.

I'm working for a few South film projects.I'm also touring the United States and we are slated to perform at Florida,California, New York, New Jersey, Texas and Washington DC.

Check out the first video from Stephen Devassy'sProject 70 on