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Photo: Abu Naim Farhan Ahmed
In a coterie with the rockers Nahid Tabassum dissects the band Arbovirus and finds the cure through its music
rbovirus, has never seized to surprise and grasp the love of their audience. Since 2004, with their first track Aartonad the band has accomplished triumphs with their singles, albums and carved a name in the music industry. The jam session proceeds with Ranjan reminiscing the earlier days of Arbovirus, a joint effort with his friend Suharto in giving their band a name out of the craze for Marvel’s Blade comics. Nafeez along with Sufi and Aldnane later on joined the troop of rockers, filling the gaps. “The idea of forming a band came to us naturally with our love for music. We blend in together to make Arbovirus what it is!” Ranjan evinces. “However, the label ‘Arbovirus’ became a big hit with the branding strategies and infecting the listeners with the songs and heart out performances,” Nafeez appends bearing out the significance of their #infected t shirts. Starting with Nu metal and alternative rock, Arbovirus has evolved embracing other genres and crossing barriers of the stereotypical tag of a rock band. “There is no biasness of any sort when it comes to composing music,” Sufi says while Ranjan humorously lands onto the term ‘Hybrid’ as their music seems to merge the gaps between various styles. Furthermore, Nafeez explains the experimentation adding, “We roam around several genres like slow ballad, funk, electronica or alternative rock and bring the respective influences in our music.” Evidently, that openness to the trends has aided them towards versatility and novelty in the themes as well as the tunes of their compositions. Guitarist Ranjan also reveals, “We inscribe our beliefs and feelings. We are vocal about ideas and our songs are a reflection of our thoughts.” While the voice of
Arbovirus Arbovirus, Sufi simply adds, “Music is the language of expression of our minds. Whereas songs like ‘Hariye Jao’ and ‘Sohor’ echo the delicate benevolent feelings, ‘Prolap’, ‘Omanush’, ‘Jaalo Agun Jaalo’ signify the rage and anger on the political scenario of Bangladesh.” Subsequently, the themes have metamorphosed with time framing a new angle on life and emotions. From body-painting to breaking guitars, the lunacy of these musicophiles have stunned the spectators. “On stage, a lot of things happen in the heat of the moment,” Nafeez smirks. As one of the bands of Rocknation, Arbovirus expresses the magnitude quoting, “It’s a celebration of the past thirty years in the music industry,” Ranjan and the band denote. For multilingual listeners the band believes, “Language can’t be a barrier in reaching audiences if the promotion and overall infrastructure is befitting. Who knows, even Baul music can grab the international stage with proper branding!” Been seated on the rank of rulers for almost a decade, the band has scrutinised the business very closely. “The industry has adapted positive changes throughout the decade. All bands are treated equally and originality is the key for identification.” In the boom of fresh bands, Arbovirus earned its fame through tracks like Obhishap and Shopnadishto and left footprints through individuality. “A lot of underground bands have entered mainstream as creating and promoting music have become more attainable with the availability of equipments and the internet.” The band unanimously appreciates the present market identifying genres like blues, hip-hop, rap, trance and availing us with different means of entertainment. Arbovirus also hints on the upcoming project being almost complete as well as their grittiest yet. 13