Of musical beginnings for Odessey
Odessy pic by Amila Gamage
Odyssey have yet to grow accustomed to the spotlight following their win at ‘Tanatalize 2015,” a talent concert organised by the Student Activity Club (SAC) of the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT).
Meeting the winners of the five member band just a month after their success, a ripple of unsure smiles pass through when asked what kind of music they play.
Giving his best shot at describing their work Jitendra Uduman says in terms of genre, the closest comparison is folk music, “but we have a very different sound.”
Their unique tone is in fact an amalgamation of each band member’s personal musical background. Bagging the title at the talent competition put together by the Student Activities club at APIIT, this crew came together in October last year.
Jointly initiating the project in the hopes of competing at the show with self- professed heavy metal fan, Divan Weerasuriya “We all just clicked well,” Jitendra feels.
Bringing with him his laid-back 60’s-70’s rock and blues interest to the team, Andrew Oshan Obeysekere came on board after contacting Jitendra following the latter’s facebook status calling for a guitarist.
Odyssey with their award
Nifty with his beats, Previn Wirekoon joined them after being suggested by a family friend Jitendra recalls, when he voiced the need for a drummer.
Three of the five members are students at APIIT, currently in their first year of a degree in International Business. Lectures and other commitments have pushed the band’s practice hours well into the night.
“We go on until one or two in the morning sometimes,” Charini Diddeniya smiles. Things have eased-up now however, following their big win.
“Unfortunately” according to Jitendra in “Sri Lanka people don’t go forward with their music.” Careers in the industry come to a grinding halt after initial interest has waned.
This isn’t the future Odyssey is headed to we’re told and thr group plan to release an album by the end of this year.