A place for local talent
View(s):As the finalists of TNL Onstage 2013 get ready to step into the ring to battle it out one last time, Minusha Wickremesinghe and Dino Corera, Co-Chairs of TNL Onstage give the Mirror Magazine the low down on what it takes to win.
“It’s never an easy road to the finals!” The show is currently in its 13th season and it’s never been bigger. “Every year we see aspiring young musicians whose talent is unfortunately confined to their bedrooms or shower cubicles, apply to be part of TNL Onstage,” says Dino. “For those who make it into the preliminary rounds, getting into the semi-finals depends entirely on how hard they work, in selecting songs that suit them, and in making them their own.”
A new addition to the competition roster is intended to illustrate how TNL Onstage is all about creating opportunities for artists across all platforms. TNL SpinOff brings the best DJs face to face, turntable to turntable. “DJing involves more than mixing two songs together. It’s about re-thinking a song, taking it apart and redefining it,” says Dino. “We believe that there is true potential and artistry involved in this field, and it lacked a valid platform despite overwhelming popularity and development overseas.” TNL SpinOff aims to identify and train aspiring DJs and producers.
Nine shortlisted applicants performed at the preliminary rounds in the DJ Academy and were whittled down to the top 4 then the top 2. Electro Mechanic and Rami – who will perform at the finals and are the first ever TNL SpinOff finalists.
Come finals night, it’s not just the competitors you’ll be coming to see. The organisers promise this year’s final will feature yet another first, a live visual experience that will interact with their audience. Onstage-goers with the TNL Onstage App will be able to unlock a secret video at the location and be part of this experience. Read on to discover the rest of the finalists.
Bands
Audacity
According to members of Audacity, they are an all girl band that just clicked when they met because they all had one thing in common: A passion for what they are good at – Music. Speaking in an recent interview with TNL Onstage, “We pick songs that mean something to us, and almost 99% of the time, the song choice is unanimous. Our practice sessions vary from once a week to sometimes everyday of the week at the oddest times – including 5 o’clock in the morning!”
‘Audacity’ means ‘bold’ and ‘daring’, which sums up exactly what they are because they managed to pull through despite the fact that so many people never believed that they could make it.
Area 51
While the nerdy ones would spend their time studying and the slacker kids would spend their time throwing spit balls at the window, Area 51 spent their free periods in school, jamming covers. Except back then, they weren’t Area 51 and were only five guys who loved playing music together.The five friends formed the band a few years ago, and last year they showed the nerds and slackers, what musicians do during their free time in school by performing for their graduation.
In an interview with TNL Onstage, the band said, ‘We all shared a great love for music in general, and we loved performing and giving it everything we could. It wasn’t until late May of 2012 that we decided to get together to perform one last time for our Graduation. And well we just stuck together, only then did Area 51 come into existence.”
Thoughtless
According to the guys, even though the name says otherwise, there was much thought given to naming the band..but nothing suited more aptly to the situation faced..because, in their own words, “We live in a world congested with thoughts..and at times it’s wiser to be thoughtless..” These Guys add the thought into Thoughtless!The genre of music they play is alternative and commercial.
Mash
Mash officially started off last year when, Shane and Kasun who always had a passion for music decided to start making YouTube covers and Mashups. The band then expanded from there on with addition of more musicians, who were all from AIS and started playing for Interact events and other functions and became popular among schools.
Speaking in an interview with TNL Onstage they said, “We aren’t the kind of band who’ll be shredding, double bassing or hitting those really high notes. We have our limitations but our creativity and diversity of vocals (female, male and rap) will hopefully bring something new to TNL Onstage 2013”.
Symphony Experiment X-Rays
They attribute Hard Rock and Rock and Roll for having brought them together in spite of their different musical backgrounds. And the result is a band called Symphony Experiment X-rays, competing in TNL Onstage Season 13. The band claim their new goal is inspired by their perceived shortage of rock and roll bands in the country. In an interview with TNL Onstage, the band said, ‘We are a band that believes in originality and we strive towards quality of music than the number of songs or albums release. We have a few new originals …[but] “Rock Machine” is our anthem and I’m pretty sure you will get the chance to listen to it soon!! .’
Soloists
Gyles | Gyles has loved to sing and has been doing so since the age of four. He has trained and sung with the choir “Voices in Harmony” for three years. Speaking in a recent interview with TNL Onstage, he said he now has the honour of singing with the all male vocal ensemble, ‘The Revelations’. He further said, “I applied for TNL Onstage 2013, because I think it’s the perfect platform to use as a stepping stone for a future in music. If I can become a professional Jazz singer, my dream would be accomplished.”
Chithru | Twenty year old, Chithru is a freelance journalist and a training counselor. A past student of Holy Family Convent, she is currently an undergraduate at the Sabaragamuwa University, specializing in English Literature. She has studied oriental music and vocal training under maestro Nanda Malini for five years. “For me music is freedom of speech, creativity and imagination. It’s amazing how a simple melody or a set of words could inspire or change one’s life for the betterment. I am ecstatic and proud to be a part of TNL Onstage 2013.”
Nathan | Nathan has been singing since he was 5 and has been playing the guitar since he was 11. Speaking to TNL Onstage recently he said, “Most of my singing and playing the guitar revolved around church until last year where I started taking music full time. As of now I play in some of the leading hotels in Colombo.” He further said that he has never taken part in any competitions and TNL Onstage 2013 is the first of its kind for him. On his selection into the preliminary rounds he said, “I am excited to go through this experience and would like to thank all who had faith in me.”
Viroshan | Viroshan is a lecturer by day and professional musician by night, playing Rhythm/Bass in a band called “Cold Sweat”. Speaking to TNL Onstage he said, “I loved music from the time I remember but actually sat down and learnt an instrument relatively late in my life, when I was about 18 and started playing bass in a band called “Stop Watch Theory” which comprised of my elder brothers. I was never considered a vocalist ,neither did I pursue it until around last year when I sang in a couple of Open Mics and received a decent response.”
Rochelle | For 22 year old Rochelle, music has been a passion for as long as she can remember. She was a member of the Bridgetine school choir right throughout her schooling days in addition to being part of the Voices in Harmony choir. She recently joined a new all-girl group named STORM which is managed by ‘The Sherifs’. Speaking to TNL Onstage in a recent interview she said, “I am exceedingly grateful to my family and friends for all their support, guidance and faith. It is truly an honour and blessing to be a part of TNL Onstage 2013. I look forward to an experience of a lifetime!”
Tickets are priced at Rs. 1000/=
and will be available at the gate.
For more
information visit
www.tnlonstage.com
Official
Print Media Partners : Sunday Times &
Daily Mirror
Pix courtesy Aki Peiris
The Grand Finale of Season 13 of TNL Onstage will take place on July 26, 2013 at the Viharamahadevi Amphitheatre from 7.00pm onwards.
Guest Performances by TNL Onstage 2012 winners - Magician’s Toolbox & Melissa | TNL Onstage 2013 backing band include
- Willie’s JeepAndrew Obeysekara, Thilak Dias, HarshanGallage& Kamal Perera
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