Considered the best in the genre of anthemic rock, they have performed not just in IPL Season II, but even with Metallica, Iron Maiden, Collective Soul, Incubus and Chris Cornell.The three albums old South African music band Prime Circle, (Hello Crazy World, Live This Life and All or Nothing), believes in compositions inspired from human needs and dilemmas. The five -member band has Ross Learmonth on lead vocals and guitar, Dale Schnettler on drums, Dirk Bisschoff on lead guitar, Neil Breytenbach on keyboard and Marco Gomes on bass. On a four-city tour in India recently, they spoke about their new album and technology?s role in making music reachable to Arunima Mishra.
Define Prime Circle?
It?s a prime circle of friends, musicians and brothers and the focus has been to play original music. Prime Circle knows it have to work hard to take its career into new waters, both at home and internationally.
What is your new album, All or Nothing, about?
From the 30 songs that we wrote, we selected the best 12 for the album. The theme is about sacrifices for reasons. It?s got a little bit for everyone. It comprises a few ballads, some great guitar work and some tracks with looping riffs. We have also used tabla in the song ?Can?t Stop the Rain?.
You started with four members. Now you are five. ..
We realised we need another musician to make us sound good. The extra key board sound, piano sound ? everything is about change. It was during our third album when we got a key board player. We need to play to exist ? not just financially ? but to save our souls.
How is the rock scene in India? How did the India tour conceptualise?
We have heard from Indians back home that Bangalore is a great place to rock and roll. This was the first time we performed in India and there are loads of music lovers here, including in the rock genre. We have seen a lot of Bollywood movies. Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher have told us loads of things about India.
How do you connect with your fans? Is the music industry affected by the economic slowdown?
We are blogging as much as possible. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace are our marketing sources. We speak to fans about our tours and where they can catch us one-on-one or watch us live. Through VH1, radio and follow up singles, our music goes out to the world. Online is the future ? music can stay longer on the web. Recession won?t affect music as much as it would other industries. When you are in a bad mood, you would need music.