Coshish

Coshish is a Hindi Progressive Rock band from Mumbai, formed in 2006.^[1] Their debut album Firdous was released via Universal Music India and they're currently working on a box set, which will be released later this year. The band believes that their music should have mass appeal and yet showcase their musical dexterity.^[2] Their songs are as simple as they are complex and carry strong social messages, delivered through Hindi lyrics.^[3] The members endorse Mapex Drums, Paiste Cymbals,^[4]Blade Guitars,^[5] ESP Basses and Laney Amplifiers.

History

In 2006, Coshish started out as a singer/songwriter duo consisting Mangesh Gandhi (Gutiars/Vocals) and Shrikant Sreenivasan (Guitars).^[6][7] They recruited a drummer and bassist from the local rock scene to form an alternative rock quartet and began competing at band competitions at various colleges. By early 2008, after a couple of line-up changes, Coshish had found its perfect band chemistry. With the addition of Hamza Kazi on Drums and Anish Nair on Bass, it transformed into the gigantic Progressive Rock outfit, it is today.

Coshish's music was very well received within the local gig circuit. Even though they hadn't released any demos or studio recordings at the time, they developed a strong fan following by performing frequently at various clubs and releasing HD quality live videos of their performances. The songs that popularised them with the metal fraternity were "Maya" (Live) and "Mukti" (Live). Their live circuit popularity, distinctive sound and unique album packaging concepts, landed the band an album deal from Universal Music India.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Their debut album, Firdous was released on 2 September 2013, after being in the making for about four years. It was recorded, mixed and produced by Zorran Mendonsa from New Zealand and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street in Sweden. The album artwork was a collaboration between Bernard Dumaine from France and Daeve Fellows from Canada with additional packaging photography and graphics by Bharath Chandrasekhar and Imran Ladak from India.^[12][13] This oversees venture resulted in Coshish being put up on the Global Map of Progressive Rock! The anticipation for Firdous was so high that they set a record number of pre-orders on Flipkart, India's premiere E-tail website. It eventually made it to No. 8 on iTunes India^[14][15][16] and No. 28 on Nokia Music Store India.^[17]

A music video for their first single Raastey was released on the band's VEVO Channel on 25 October 2013. The concept of the video is a continuation of the story of Firdous, which can be decoded by the listener by putting together pieces of the puzzle that are present throughout the album and its packaging. The video was aired frequently on MTV India and has been receiving tremendous airplay on MTV Indies, since its launch in March 2014. Raastey was the song of the day on 1 April 2014 on MTV Indies and on 6 October 2013 on 8 Octaves, a local website focusing on Indie Music. It was also listed in the "Top 25 Tracks of 2013" by Rock Street Journal^[18] and in "9 Impressive Indie Music Videos" by Soundtree Magazine.^[19]

Their second music video for their song Bhula Do Unhey was released on 19 March 2014. It acts as the final piece of the puzzle.

A third music video for their song Hum Hai Yahin, sponsored by Nokia India, was released on the same day as Bhula Do Unhey. It was shot entirely on a Nokia Lumia 1520.

The band is currently working on a limited edition DVD Box Set, which will be released later this year. Not much information is available regarding its contents. The band is known to leak out bits and pieces of information via their Facebook page and has probably divulged all information regarding the release already.

Firdous (2013)

After signing with Universal Music India, the band released their first album 'Firdous' in 2013.

Style

Coshish plays a style of progressive rock drawing elements all the way from Tool and Porcupine Tree to Mohammed Rafi and Bhimsen Joshi. There is considerable emphasis given to the art design of their album and live performances. The band's choice of amalgamation of progressive rock with Hindi has helped them stand apart from most other bands in the country.

Awards and nominations

Line-up

Current members

• Mangesh Gandhi – vocals, guitar (2006–present)
• Shrikant Sreenivasan – guitar (2006–present)
• Hamza Kazi – drums (2008–present)
• Anish Nair – bass (2008–present)

Discography

• Firdous (2013)

Singles

• "Raastey" (2013)
• "Bhula Do Unhey" (2014)
• "Hum Hai Yahin" (2014)
• " Master of puppets" (1986)

References

1. ↑ Mustafi, Ahana. "Pick of the Week : Coshish". www.eightoctaves.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013. 
2. ↑ Dodgin, Rich. "Interview with Coshish". www.allabouttherock.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2014. 
3. ↑ Savic, Nikola. "COSHISH: Creative Freedom". www.prog-sphere.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014. 
4. ↑ "Paiste Artists". www.paiste.com. Retrieved 25 August 2014. 
5. ↑ "Blade : Artists". www.bladeguitars.com. Retrieved 25 August 2014. 
6. ↑ Savic, Nikola. "Progstravaganza Questionnaire: Coshish". www.progstravaganza.com. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
7. ↑ Schiffman, Andreas. "Interview mit Coshish (13.10.2013)". www.musikreviews.de. 
8. ↑ Tagat, Anurag. "Coshish To Release Debut Concept Album". www.rollingstoneindia.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 August 2013. 
9. ↑ "Coshish release debut album 'Firdous' on Universal Music India". www.nme.in. Retrieved 17 September 2013.  |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
10. ↑ "Coshish launches debut album Firdous". www.indianexpress.com. Screen. Retrieved 20 September 2013. 
11. ↑ www.mumbaimag.com. Mumbai HQ http://mumbaimag.com/launchpad-mumbai-band-coshish-launches-album-firdous-and-announces-tour-dates/. Retrieved 2 September 2013.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
12. ↑ D'Silva, Alden. "Coshish Attain Firdous". www.popsplat.in. Retrieved 9 September 2013. 
13. ↑ "Mumbai's Hindi Progressive Act Coshish Release Debut Album Titled Firdous". www.rsjonline.com. Retrieved 3 September 2013. 
14. ↑ Shashidhar, Ajita. "Freedom Song". www.businesstoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 22 December 2013. 
15. ↑ "Coshish's 'Firdous' Among iTunes India Top 10 Most Downloaded Albums; Band Tour Announced". www.indianmusicrevolution.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.  |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
16. ↑ "Coshish's Firdous Among Top 10 Most Downloaded Albums". www.eightoctaves.com. 
17. ↑ "Coshish Releases Official Music Video of "Raastey" & Enters Nokia Top 30". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013. 
18. ↑ "Top 25 Songs of 2013". www.rsjonline.com. Retrieved 10 January 2014. 
19. ↑ "9 Impressive Indie Music Videos". www.soundtreemagazine.com. Retrieved 21 January 2014.