Though swamped by the pressure of preparing for the upcoming Oasis along with the additional load of academic work, the coordinator of the Music Club, Dhananjay Vijayaraghavan took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to the Oasis English Press about some of their work they are for the fest.
Throughout the year The Music Club organizes several musical events such as Music Nite, inaugurations for the various fests, a Psenti Nite for students in their last semester on campus, and a few individual shows throughout the year. For Oasis, the Music Club organizes three events, with the biggest being the Inauguration. The club also organizes a vocals event called Andholika, and participates in the classical-rock fusion competition Tarang.
For their events, the club is sticking to their tried and true formulas and has not made many changes from last year. However, they have tried to incorporate this year’s theme for Oasis– “Neon Noir” into their medley performance by selecting songs by the band 21 Pilots which fit a darker theme while still being in line with pop culture.
The bands generally start preparation for the events up to two-and-a-half to three weeks before Oasis in order to perfect the songs and prepare for the medley. However, this year’s cramped academic schedule allowed them barely two weeks to prepare. However, the members are making up for lost time with rigorous practice and remarkable commitment. According to Vijayaraghavan, the medley poses a unique challenge. Since their own creative influences are required to combine the songs, it is subject to creative blocks and technical difficulties. He went on to say that throughout the years, they have evolved from a simple cover band to a club that nurtures the creativity of the members and allows composing, jamming, and formation of smaller groups which continue even after college. The club now focuses not only on putting on a show but also on the music itself, encouraging the members to learn new techniques, create their own music, and expand their horizons in this field.
With most of the Music Club’s workings already set in stone, Vijayaraghavan described his experience as coordinator as very smooth. He mentioned that the club is mostly self-sufficient and the only time that they require any kind of external help is during a show, in which case the Departments of Sounds and Backstage are always happy to help. On a parting note, he encouraged the audience to pursue their own creativity in the field of music and attend shows with an open mind.