New York based band Goldspot has recently released their third album “Aerogramme“. The album features the band’s signature retro bollywood meets indie pop rock sounds and music that will trigger nostalgia of drinking the fizzy orange drink that Goldspot’s been named after.
Aerogramme has been influenced by the experiences of frontman Siddhartha Khosla‘s parents’ journey to the US from India in the late 1970s. The songs emote stories of immigration- the pain of saying goodbye, the excitement of moving to a new land and the struggles of making a new life in America – experiences that were documented in letters by his father to India that were never sent out. These very letters inspired Siddhartha to produce Aerogramme. Awwee!
Listening to the album took me back to growing up in pre-globalised India, to the days of Doordarshan, Padmini Fiats and Poppins. The new single, “The Border Line” triggers similar aural sensations as the Beatles did post their Indian experience. The song makes you want to clap along, sing your heart out and lose yourself to the emotionally charged tunes. “Abyss“, “Evergreen Cassette” and “Resident Alien” are my top tracks from the album – upbeat, catchy and if you listen carefully – full of stories.
We decided to get to know the man behind Goldspot a little better, heres a one-on-one with Siddhartha.
Team MissMalini: Whats your favourite track from Aerogramme?
Siddhartha Khosla: Evergreen Cassette. In the late 70s my parents came to the US from India with $8 in their pockets. As they struggled to put food on the table and help build a future for our family, they were forced to send me, at 2 years old, back to my grandparents in Delhi, India. At $20+ a minute, and no trace of vodafone/skype/facetime, it was too expensive to call, and so we communicated only by recording our voices on a single cassette, that we’d send back and forth to each other for 2 years. This song tells that story and every time my mom hears it, she cries. Evergreen Cassette is a reminder of the sacrifices my parents made for me when they came to the United States. Goldspot was invited to perform at first Lady Michelle Obama’s White House Diwali celebration this past year and I performed this song there. My family, including my mom, was there to watch it all!
TeamMM: Can you tell us something about the album that’s not on the press release, maybe a story you’d like to share?
SK: I used to spend a lot of summers in India, and one of my fondest memories was of a monkey that came onto our roof each day. He’d pull the clothes off their lines, eat the fruit from the lychee plant and it would enrage my Chachi. I remember hanging out on that rooftop and laughing hysterically at the sight of Chachi chasing the monkey with a broom in her hand. My director friend Nick Collett and I wrote the lyrics to “Monkey on My Rooftop” and I think they’re the best lyrics on the album.
TeamMM: 3 Things from 70s India that you grew up on?
SK: Goldspot orange soda, Poori Chhole from Bille Di Hatti in Delhi, and Kishore Kumar records.
TeamMM: In one of your interviews, you mention that you like to collaborate with artists – Whats your dream collaboration?
SK: Bjork
TeamMM: Growing up, your mum made you sing bhajans – I’m sure some of them lingered on post performance 🙂 Which one stuck on, i.e. it still plays in your head?
SK: Man Tarpat by Mohd. Rafi. It’s the only bhajan I remember from childhood. My cousins make fun of me for it, as it’s the only bhajan I remember, and it’s my go-to-bhajan for every puja.
TeamMM: What song comes to you when:
TeamMM: You switch off and tune out?
SK: Any song I’m trying to write.
TeamMM: You see someone you love
SK: Love is All Around by The Troggs
TeamMM: You think of your parents
SK: Aye Mere Pyare Watan by Manna Dey
TeamMM: You are extremely angry
SK: Nice Dream by Radiohead
Aerogramme is officially out in India. You can hear the whole album on ITunes.
Goldspot’s scheduled to tour India at the end of the year. Till then have a look at the official video for “The Border Line”