Agnee

Agnee is a contemporary rock band of India. It is the reincarnated version of the old band 'Agni', with a new line-up (except for the guitarist) and new sound. Their debut album titled "Agnee" was launched on May 15, 2007, and soon they became 'the new face of Indi-Rock'. Agnee is the first Indian rock band to have seen a huge celebrated main stream release.

Etymology

The word "agni" or "agnee" is Sanskrit for "fire" (noun), cognate with Latin "ignis" (the root of English "ignite"), Russian "ogon" (fire), spelled "agon" and "ogni", spelled "agni" (fires).

History

Agni's "Wind Dance with Fire" was a landmark album in Indian rock music history when it was released in 1993. Their sophomore album, "Mrityunjaya", was released in 1995. [http://72hoytstreet.net/music/agni/] The new Agnee was formed during 2006 and after approaching a couple of big record labels, the band was signed on by Sony BMG. Agnee is one of the few lucky rock bands to actually get signed on by a big music label. [http://therecordmag.com/may2007/agnee.htm]

Music

As the name 'Agnee' suggests, the trio (Arijit, Koko and Mohan) are full of energy and life. It is a collective of three individual styles of composing and performing: Arijit with his Jazz-Rock influences, Koko with his Classic rock, Pop and Indian influences and Mohan with his Carnatic and Hindustani classical influences. This gives the band a very wide palette to experiment with. The band, unlike the old 'Agni', sings in Hindi.

Agnee's music showcases all of the above and the compositions in the first album vary in style accordingly. The songs move in genre from Folk rock and Pop-Rock to straight up Pop, and incorporate elements of Funk, Jazz and Carnatic music as well. Agnee's strength is in its performance skill and melodic content. [http://agnee.in/profile.htm]

Members

* Mohan (lead vocals, percussion and guitar)
* Koko (lead guitarist and backing vocalist)
* Arijit (bass and lead vocals)

Influenced by classic rock bands like Sting, Dave Matthews band, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Agnee confesses to making a few compromises to get signed on to a big label.

How the trio see each other shows the fun side of Agnee, like,Arijit, is called the baby of the band a chilly-chicken lover, funny, rubber boned, sensitive, genuine-eyed chocolate boy with a female fan following. Mohan is the intelligent one, laptop bearing, mad, a social butterfly. He is the banker type, very prim and proper, always multitasking - with his IIM background, and he is also good at PR.

The band members are all individually well known for their stage presence and for their virtuoso performances, making each show different and memorable. The melodic content of the songs ensure that the audience always has something to hum when they go back home. [http://therecordmag.com/may2007/agnee.htm]

Albums

* 1993 - Wind Dance with Fire
* 1995 - Mrityunjaya
* 2007 - Agnee

Videos

*Sadho re
*Kabira
*Shaam tanha

Songs

*Sadho re - this is one of the mystic songs of Sant Kabir. The song muses on the inevitability of death and the highest truth - that the unnamed name is eternal. [http://www.mtvindia.com/mtv/music/reviews/07/agnee/index.php]

*The Roadies Song - Inspired by popular demand on an Orkut message board - it's a fun, peppy number that captures the adventurous free-spirited attitude of the Roadies. [http://www.mtvindia.com/mtv/music/reviews/07/agnee/index.php]

*Lamha yeh jayega kahan - A slightly moving number from the movie Dil Dosti Etc.One would like to listen to it while sitting back and chilling out. [http://123india.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=16982] Mohan's soft, melodious voice manages to carry the song through with soulful rendition. [http://www.movietalkies.com/movies/music-reviews.asp?MovieId=19127]

Highlights

* They’ve been signed on by Sony BMG.

* Their debut album 'Agnee' was launched in May.

* They have composed for Prakash Jha’s film Dil Dosti Etc.

* Individually, the guys have played a number of Gigs all over the country.

* The old band 'Agni' has played at I-Rock, Mood Indigo and other popular rock festivals.

* The vocalist Mohan, who has a classical music background, has won the prestigious Palghat Mani Iyer award and has been awarded the Best Mridangam Player Of The Year three times in a row at Chennai Music Fest, which is a huge festival that takes place every year.

* Arijit has composed music for films such as Chowki, which is yet to be released, and also composes jingles for ads. [http://therecordmag.com/may2007/agnee.htm]

External links

* [http://agnee.in/index.htm Official website of the band]
* [http://therecordmag.com/may2007/agnee.htm The Record Music Magazine]
* [http://www.indiasoft.co.in/agni/THE_BAND/THE_BAND.HTM AGNI the band]