Mirror Magazine - A precious few pieces…

Anil Balasuriya of Independent Square fame is ready to release his debut solo album ‘The Last Few Pieces Of April.’ Ishani Ranasinghe caught up with the musician

If you are someone who is very much aware of the local music scene at one time or the other, you would have been, or maybe still are, a fan of Independent Square. Part of the band, comprising the first local artistes to release an English Alternative Rock Album here in Sri Lanka, Anil Balasuriya has been in on the local music scene for the past ten years.

Last year we got a glimpse of one of his solo projects, an album that was set to be launched in the near future. The audience who were there that night at Zanziba, having heard some of the tracks that were to be released, knew that this album would be something to look forward to.

It has taken him longer than he had anticipated, but after months of missed deadlines (he set for himself for the album), and a lot of hard work, his solo album ‘The Last Few Pieces Of April,’ is ready for its launch! I met up with Anil to speak to him about his new album and the concert that will mark the launch of the album.

Having wanted to launch the album somewhere in November last year, it was supposed to be an album of about five songs. “But I got a little more creative along the way and managed to write four more songs,” says Anil. Hence the end result – what was supposed to have been a five-song album is one that now consists of nine originals.

The album, which will be his debut solo album, took two-and-a-half years to finish. “I honestly did not think it would take me so much time,” he says, adding that the writing process is the longest he has ever taken. “I tend to be a little lazy as well,” he adds with a sheepish grin, pointing out that this did work out for the best. How, you may ask? The fact that it took him so long to finish the album meant that it gave him the time to make sure that he perfected it ninety nine percent. Who could argue with that?

Another factor that resulted in him taking a longer time than anticipated is that he really wanted to get the right kind of people involved with the album. He was also very particular with the studio he used, which as a result saw his album recorded in two studios.

Six of his songs were recorded at the Haylien Studios, which is where he started out. “This was a studio which I was very comfortable with, and which had the right kind of people,” he says. Thereafter he recorded the rest of his songs at a studio owned by Azlan Sherifdeen. Having known him and his talent, Anil says that he wanted to try and do something with him as well, “I felt that here I got the right kind of mix I wanted for my songs.”

Speaking more about his album, he admits that he did have a lot of professional help from Ranil from Hollow Point Halo, with Ranil from Ezra also coming in to help with the album. He explains that “These are people who have been on the scene for a while. I have also worked with people who haven’t worked with a lot of people.”

One such person he mentions is Chamath Ariyadasa. “We have a common understanding of music, and I bond very well with him.” It is clear that Anil is very complimentary of his fellow musicians, as he went on to say that Oshan from The Brass Monkey Band has also worked with him for this album, while explaining what a talented musician he was. Anil says that the youngster can play five musical instruments, which for his age is quite an achievement. He rounds off the whole thing as wanting the right mix of people to work with him for the album and feeling that he had found it with these people.

Nine songs that are all originals, and written on what streams of thought? He is quick to point out that his songs are nothing very complex. Instead, they are very simple and easy to understand. They are all basically him expressing ideas that he wanted to put out there. To say it in his words, “You really don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure them out.” He is also not one to explain his music. Instead, he prefers that his audience has their own interpretations of the music. He also adds that people who have the album have said that there is a lot of politics involved in it. So what are his thoughts about this? “Subconsciously maybe…”

So what of the album launch… the concert? It will be about two hours long, with a mix of songs from the album, as well as artistes Anil has been listening to in the past. We should not forget that there will also be guest performances as well.

The venue they have chosen is Onyx, which is at the Taj Samudra. “I chose this venue, because I wanted to create a very personal atmosphere.” He promises that when you walk in there, it will be something different, the atmosphere will be unforgettable.

“The concert is definitely to look forward to… that’s of course in my opinion,” he says with a laugh.

Maybe you should find out for yourself, because it does look like it’s going to be something you wouldn’t want to miss. Keep August 5 free, and remember, the tickets will be Rs.500, inclusive of the CD.