Brisbane-based four piece Hey Geronimo recently completed a ten day tour of India in support of their second EP – Erring On The Side Of Awesome – at the end of 2013, which included a slot on the bill at the NH7 Weekender Festival in Delhi and Bangaluru alongside fellow Australian acts Kate Miller-Heidke and Sampology. As is usually the case with any time spent abroad or on the road, discoveries were made – five of which are listed below, including some sound advice on the local pineapple juice [don’t] and cuisine [do].
1. NH7 WEEKENDER FESTIVAL
Also known as the ‘happiest music festival’, the NH7 Weekender was started back in 2010 and is one of only a few festivals in India that feature an eclectic lineup of metal, electronica, reggae, contemporary rock and pop music from both international and local acts (think an Indian version of Big Day Out but with more stray dogs running around).
Sharing the stage with us in Bangalore was Skrat – think The Vines with a bit more of a punk edge. They gave a high-octane performance (probably too many Red Bulls beforehand) and looked like they’d blow the roof off in a crowded club.
Another band to keep an eye out for is Dualist Inquiry who played Daft Punk-style house with a live band in Delhi. Rad.
As a part of NH7, we also had the amazing opportunity of writing and recording with some of India’s most talented composers/musicians at the APRA Writing Hub in Mumbai.
2. THE FOOD
Eating in India is sort of like a scene from The Hurt Locker – you tread carefully, sweat over choosing the right thing and hope in the end that it doesn’t blow up in your face (or the toilet bowl). Some of us got sick, some of us made it through unscathed. It’s a bit of a roulette, but not something to really worry about and if you stick to freshly cooked food in reputable establishments, you’ll be right. Avoid the pineapple juice.
The curry in India (as you might expect) is spectacular, which is a good thing as you can expect to eat it three times a day. A breakfast of champions might consist of a dosa (a savoury crepe), accompanied with assorted chutneys, an idlis (steamed rice cake) and some sambar (spicy lentil soup). Our attempt to mix it up one night and order some Western cuisine ended with an ‘American Style’ club sandwich that featured chicken, egg and pineapple, garnished with an assortment of glace cherries and potato chips. Stick to the curry.
On tour, we’re either thinking of frothies (beer), looking for frothies or singing about thinking about looking for frothies. And then drinking the aforementioned frothies. India’s Kingfisher – “The King of Good Times” – is very drinkable and a perfect ‘session beer’ to have over a long meal.
Enjoy the refreshing taste of ‘Thums Up’ Cola or a carton of ‘Frooti Is My Mango’.
3. HOW TO GET AROUND
As anyone who has been to India will attest to, driving is an experience. Lane markings and traffic signals are seen more as suggestions than rules and drivers constantly lean on the horn out of preservation rather than anger. Here cows have right of way (because they’re holy) and you may have to watch out for the occasional elephant merging on the highway. It’s organised chaos so best to sit back and attempt to relax.
These guys make ‘Bound 2’ look like amateur hour.
It takes forever to get anywhere and we recommend organising a driver who can get you from A to B. It’s well worth it though, considering it costs the equivalent to a 5 minute cab ride in Sydney. Be warned though – a lot of them have a brother/cousin/camel who own a shop/restaurant/hotel and will try by any means to get you to visit by saying that your destination is closed, or burnt down…
4. BEING A LADY IN INDIA
Travelling through India can be a daunting and frustrating task at times, not least of all for ladies. In India they call the “accidental” touching or pinching of females ‘eve-teasing’. Our photographer Jaime called it “fucking annoying”. It doesn’t completely ruin the experience but it’s something to be aware of.
We were told that locals from surrounding villages and cities don’t see many foreigners and for them it’s a bit of a novelty. At monuments you may get followed and photographed. Expect to be asked for a photo, or in Jaime’s case – sixty – all of which were possibly uploaded to Facebook eventually alongside the caption “my Australian friend/girlfriend”. It gets mildly annoying when you’re trying to enjoy the splendour of the Taj Mahal, but remember it’s usually coming from a place of genuine curiosity.
5. VISTING AN ORPHANAGE
A true highlight of our tour and careers in Hey Geronimo to-date was a concert we put on at the Armaan Children Home in Delhi in partnership with SoundSchool – an Australian initiative based in both Delhi and Rwanda that empowers under-privileged kids through music.
Check out their website for more information: http://www.soundschool.com.au/
This kid in front had the rare ability of being able to roundhouse kick while singing ‘We Shall Overcome’.
