Four years on and the De Lanerolle Brothers have much to sing about
View(s):What’s the most important thing about performing for the De Lanerolle Brothers? Why, starting on time of course! Those who’ve been to concerts will know that if you stick to age old Sri Lankan timekeeping habits you’re at peril; if it’s seven o’clock then there’s no two words about it-the concert will start at seven. The Brothers celebrate four years in music as a duo on March 3, and if there’s one thing (among many) that they’ve been consistent over those years, it’s the timing.
The De Lanerolle duo have certainly been setting an example to the local music community since they started out in 2009. Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle are actually brothers, contrary to what many believe! They began their joint career following a well received appearance together at a concert and have never looked back since.
A highlight of the year for both brothers was undoubtedly being the only opening act for four-time Grammy winner Olivia Newton John.
“The past year has been fantastic,” says Rohan. “Between then and now we have been blessed to tour the USA, taking the stage with two giants in music Aaron Neville and Branford Marsalis in New Orleans. We were also lucky enough to collaborate with pianist Rohan De Silva in Sri Lanka and later in India when we toured Bangalore, Delhi and Calcutta. We also had a heady partnership with the Vocal Consort Choir and Nelson Kwei from Singapore whom we hosted for their debut here and we also had five performances in Singapore last December. Last but certainly not least, there was the concert we did in aid of charity with cricketer Kumar Sangakkara earlier this month-definitely something to remember!”
Working with each other affords them the rare opportunity to push each other to the ends of the earth and back in search of perfection. “Rohan is such a perfectionist!” grumbles Ishan laughingly. “But I love that he is ever willing to share his knowledge and experience with others.”
That streak of perfectionism could work well for them over the coming months-the brothers have a hectic schedule only two well seasoned travellers (oh, and performers!) can handle. They tour Malaysia and London over the next three months and conduct their own lessons and mentoring programmes. “But we’re really trying to streamline our overseas gigs,” explains Rohan. “We’ve had to turn down a couple because of family and work commitments.” Interesting fact: the brothers are involved in their tea packaging and exporting company in addition to their singing careers.
The Brothers usually do three different concerts a year-for this first concert, the audience can expect some old 50’s and 60’s favourites. “Some pundits have argued that this music is easy to sing,” says Rohan. “First, no music is easy to sing-especially when you’re doing covers-and secondly, Ishan and I sing this music in harmony which makes it quite special. There are some classical music lovers who have begun coming for this signature show saying that they never listened to this music but were touched by our brand of singing.”
The odd complaint over the years about their choice of music has never fazed the Brothers too much. “We choose songs that we know will go down well with our audience,” says Ishan. “We’ve had teenagers walking up to us and saying ‘I didn’t realize that was Engelbert or Elvis-that was actually quite good!’ It’s very satisfying to reach through generational barriers like that.” It’s a good mix of music for the youngsters as well as the senior citizens, they add jokingly.
“If people want to hear new repertoire, they should make it for this anniversary concert. While we have some of the classics of yesteryear, we are bringing in a lot of new songs from the 60-80’s period,” adds Rohan. – D.I.
The De Lanerolle Brothers 4th Anniversary Concert will be held at the Waters Edge Grand Ballroom on March 3, 2013. The sit-down dinner event will begin at 7 p.m., so guests are required to be in their seats by 6.45 p.m. Tickets are available at the Commons, Park Street Mews and the Waters Edge.
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