Jessica Lewis - the teenage guitar prodigy

She was just 16 years old when musicians like Guthrie Govan, Alex Hutchings and Larry Carlton became her fan. Infact, she played 'Feeling Fine' by Alex Hutchings when she was sixteen. Born in 1994, Jess Lewis was 12 years old when she showed interest in playing the electric guitar and her grandmother was the first person to introduce her to Joe Satriani's music.

Jess' sound is fresh and she has the ability to play almost anything on the guitar including Jazz and Blues music. She was awarded the 'Young Talented Musicians Award' by Royal Manor Arts College and the Rotary Club sponsored her to study 'Rock & Beyond + Jazz' at the International Guitar Foundation when she was 15.

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai says, “I found this video of “Jess” performing “Die to Live” to be charming. I know what I went through to learn it so hats of to you Jess."

James of London Guitar Academy feels that Jess has the same fresh sound Joe Satriani had when he first released Not Of This Earth.

"Her talent is so organic, it suggests that sometimes nature apportions its blessings in an unfair way when it comes to musical ability" - Alissa Ordabai of PureGuitar says about Jess.

"This is an exciting time, and I cant wait to start creating/composing my own music & I am eternally 'Thankful', to those who have inspired, and who still continue to help me on this journey. I hope my music will do what so many others have done for me over the years. In that it brings with it - PEACE, JOY, HOPE and STRENGTH" - Jess says.

Jess likes Fender Stratocaster guitar and D'Addario strings!

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Watch one of the videos of Jess Lewis performing 'Eternal Blues'

(Photo - www.eternal-guitars.com)
 
- EFNI

Evolution of Music - by Pentatonix

Pentatonix, an A Cappella group of five vocalists from Arlington, Texas is taking instrument-free music far beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. The members of the band are vocalists Scott Hoying (21), Kirstie Maldonado (20) and Mitch Grassi (20), vocal bass Avi Kaplan (23) and beatboxer Kevin “K.O.” Olusola (24).

Their song "Evolution of Music" was published on YouTube on April 18, 2013 and is gaining popularity. Below is a song by the group.

Aawaz - an attempt to create awareness against atrocities on women

Releasing this June, 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation' is a music project aimed at generating awareness about violence towards women.

On 16 December 2012, a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern was brutally beaten and gang raped in Delhi while she was traveling in a bus with her male companion. India stood up as a nation to condemn the horrific act and screamed to see that six men accused of the brutal rape were meted out due punishment. The media frenzy over the incident covered rallies and protests across the nation, which initially seemed promising.

Pratik Nalawade in Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation

There were talks about chemical castration, fast track courts and reforms in rape laws to ensure safety of
women in the country. A noted political leader even conducted a silent march in memory of the unfortunate gang rape victim who succumbed to her internal injuries on 29 December 2012.

In no time, the frenzy died down and spot fixing scams and celebrity arrests took over the national media. People who protested the horrific incident waited in anticipation, much like the victim's family - hoping to see the guilty being punished.

Meanwhile in a parallel India, regional media (and occasionally national media) kept reporting about horrific rape incidents on women of all ages, across the nation. Let's not forget the footage where cops were seen beating a woman for protesting against misdemeanor towards her.

'It is not a time to keep quiet', rose a unanimous thought amongst a group of young adults in Bangalore. 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence' is the outcome of that rage, that frustration and that hopelessness, felt while waiting for the law makers and the government to do their jobs. The song is written by Assamese musician Jim Ankan Deka and Ritwika Bhattacharya is an outcry to invoke the nation once again to remind them of the Delhi gang rape incident and many other similar incidents that our country witnesses.

The people associated with this music project are striving to engage people to foster societal reforms, and generate awareness about the laws made to protect women in our country. Aawaz is an attempt to reignite that collective voice and persistently scream to make India a safe haven for women.

- by Parmita Borah

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Recorded at Eastern Fare Studio, Madcat Music Studio, Sargam Audiocraft and Centerstage, Antara Nandy (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs 2009 Finalist), Queen Hazarika (noted vocalist from Assam) and Ritwika Bhattacharya (song writer) have rendered their voices to the song. The song is composed by Jim Ankan Deka.

People associated with the project in various departments include -

Parmita Borah (direction, production, camera),
Vicky Mahanta, Pankaj Rajkhowa and Pratik Nalawade (music),
Mohd Siraj Mahagavin (animation)
Antara Barua and Rachel Rose Oommen (artists)
Pruthvi, Atlanta, Priyanka, Monibha, Partha, Rahul (production assitant), and
Shasanka Gogoi, Anoop Guha, and Vikramjit Kakati (camera).

- by Team EFNI

LOBELIA 2013 – Fun, Frolic and Fabulous

Science and culture collided at LOBELIA 2013 - the annual fest organized by the R.G Kar Medical College, Kolkata. The young medicos overcame their hectic schedules to be a part of four days of music, culture and endless fun from 26th to 29th of March 2013.

Indian Ocean at LOBELIA 2013, Kolkata

The music scene remained a kaleidoscope of diverse genres – right from Indian classical to rock, pop, hip hop and Bollywood.

The extravaganza intensified as the renowned fusion band ‘Indian Ocean’ took on the stage rendering their hit tracks like Leaving home, Kandisa, Bandeh, Khajuraho, Bondhu. Eminent rock bands like " Underground Authority " and "Lakkhichhara" rocked the evenings with scintillating performances, and 'DJ Harish' let the young doctors loosen up a little trying to make up for the hours of relentless studies and clinical duties.

"Lucid interval” a war-drum 'Battle of Bands' made its way to the top by wooing audiences – old and young alike.

Young medical students, true to their profession, competed fiercely in the ‘Mediquiz’ (as the name suggests a quiz on medical knowhow). The fete also saw witnessed impressive talent in the general quiz, triathlon, antakshari, t-shirt painting, creative writing, poster painting, and photography competitions.

The event was sponsored by Ebela (title sponsor for Lobelia 2013), Hero, and RadioVoice and managed by E365 Media Solutions.

- by Lina Barman

(Edited by Parmita Borah)

Rongali Bihu in Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

The spirit of spring came alive in Bangalore with Bohag Bihu celebrations organized by the Assam Association of Karnataka. The festive occasion amalgamated Assamese people from all corners of Bangalore adorning traditional attires to savor their traditional delicacies. The fête also had Bihu dances, Kanada folk dances, a fashion show displaying mekhela sador and musical performances - including some groovy solos by noted singer Sinchan Manohar Dixit.

Bihu dancers at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancer at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancer at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Model displaying Assamese 'mekhela sador' at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Singer Sinchan Dixit at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancers at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models displaying Assamese 'mekhela sador' at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

Musical trio Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa took Bangalore by storm at the Idea Rocks India concert. Aimed at promoting upcoming musical talents, the Idea Rocks concert is an annual event where Idea goes on a talent hunt across India. Along with the trio, the event also witnessed performances by singer and flutist Rasika Chandrasekhar, Raman Mahadevan and the winner of the Idea Rocks India Talent Hunt, Bangalore, Nishant Kumar. The top five finalists of the Idea Rocks India Talent Hunt, Bangalore were - Antara Baruah, Jitendra Pant, Nishant Kumar, Sai Keshav and Imshan Khan.

Loy Mendonsa at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Ehsaan Noorani and Shankar Mahadevan at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Rasika Chandrashekhar at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Ehsaan Noorani at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with Raman Mahadevan at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Shankar Mahadevan at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Loy Mendonsa at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Nishant Kumar and Shankar Mahadevan at Idea Rocks India, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

- EFNI

Bhojpuri Queen releases new album 'Fagunahat'

Bhojpuri Queen Kalpana Patowary is back with a bang following the massive success and widespread appreciation of ‘The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur’. The folk singer is now ready to hit the music stores with her subsequent album ‘Fagunahat’, featuring traditional 'Holi' songs.

The album was released on Sunday at Basera Studios Kandivali in Mumbai city on the sets of BHOJPURI HOLI UTSAV in the presence of noted filmmaker Abhay Sinha, Bhojpuri musical icon Pawan Singh, choreographer Pappu Khanna & actress Madhu Sharma.

‘Fagunahat’ indicates ‘Fagun ke aane ki aahat’ (the onset of spring), according to Kalpana. The tunes in her album carry freshness that can rouse the languid spirit and cheer up the gloomy.

While ‘Rangbaaj fagunwa aail’ is a tale of the passionate reunion of a separated couple associated with the commencement of spring, ‘Ab lehu rangwa lagai’ follows a devotional route in praise of Lord Rama and Sita. Other tracks like Dewra Rangbaaj, Piyawa Calcutta Gaile too will get your foot tapping. Over all, folk music lovers, this is an album to look out for.

This is the Kalpana's first Bhojpuri Holi album with an International label after she made her grand debut with her Bhojpuri album 'Gawanwa Leja Rajaji' in 2001. She has around 12 Bhojpuri albums released till date.

Deep rooted in folk music, Kalpana’s musical expedition has drifted her into many genres of music from contemporary to more eccentric ones. She recently enjoyed ample attention in Bacardi NH7 Weekender concerts in Pune as well as through her collaboration with Trilok Gurtu in an episode of The Dewarists.

Download Fagunahat 

- EFNI