BENGALURU: We live in a broken world and music is a powerful way to connect,” says Timothy Franklyn, the frontman and vocalist of the band, Level Rode, ahead of the band’s first commercial gig on Friday. Prior to this, the six-member band has performed exclusively at educational institutions.
The band members with diverse backgrounds were united by their love for music, which they look at as a way of getting powerful messages across, especially to the youth. Their music aims at getting people to be more socially conscious. As Timothy puts it, their music looks at getting the youth to care about democracy, gender equality, and fight for their principles. Along with these, it also helps them confront some of the issues they deal with, like depression. One of the primary aims of the band currently, is to get the youth to vote in the elections next year. “We are using music as a way to connect with younger audiences and get people to engage in civil society,” he adds.
Timothy points out that it’s “not just a concert but an interactive experience.” “The songs are carefully selected, the lyrics are gauged and a context is set for these songs. Themes are selected and with the use of anecdotes, the band will also try and get the audience involved. We pick songs like Numb and Fix You. We look at how we can fix each other – we are all so caught up in our own little bubbles we live in,” he says.
The band name, Level Rode, comes from ‘Lavelle Road’ – a common connection between the band members. Other than playing some of the popular numbers, they even have their own music – they create their own versions of contemporary and older songs. Meet the members:
Timothy Franklyn (frontman/vocalist) is the founder of National School of Journalism, Bangalore (NSoJ) / partner of the national corporate law firm Tatva Legal; Benjamin Ebenezer (lead guitar), is the founding lead guitarist of Galeej Gurus and he currently runs Kenneth George English School; Kevin Vineet (bass guitar) is the director of Hope Springs, an NGO that provides computers to rural schools in Karnataka, and is also the bass guitar player in the indie band, One Girl Shy; Heinzsten Peter (electric guitar) is the HR director of Volvo India; Roshan Jayakumar (drums) is a professional musician/music teacher at Headstart Academy;Joslin Vasanth (acoustic guitar/vocals) is the project associate at Cognizant; Steve Rajan (keyboard) is a professional musician/keyboard player in band, Best Kept Secret.
What: Level Rode
Where: 00 Heaven, Kalyannagar
When: June 8, 7.30 pm
