Ashu Phatak Launches New Guest-Heavy Album

Singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ashu Phatak’s debut solo album Sigh Of An Angel betrayed his love of Pink Floyd with its existential lyrics and psychedelic soundscapes. The co-founder of Blue Frog takes a more dance friendly route on the follow-up The Petri Dish Project, which he will launch and play songs from at his club tonight. The Petri Dish Project, which has been titled so because Phatak has been working on the songs for a while, is also the name of the band he’s put together to perform the tunes in concert. Drummer Lindsay D’Mello and bassist JD Thirumalai are the core members, but the act also features almost every female singer-songwriter in this city. Monica Dogra of Shaai’r + Func, Suman Sridhar of Sridhar/Thayil, Anushka Manchanda of Shkabang, Ashima Aiyer and Saba Azad will all show up on stage to sing the songs they croon on the album, some of which we heard at Phatak’s gig at Blue Frog in May. From that show, we can say that while the existential lyrics are still around, at times The Petri Dish Project felt like an electro-pop avatar of The B-52s, with a couple of tracks—like “Footdub” featuring Manchanda (see video)—sounding like a definite homage to 1960s party rock n’ roll.

LocationBlue Frog
Mathuradas Mills Compound
Opposite Kamala Mills
Tulsi Pipe Road
Lower Parel

Phone4033 2300, 6158 6158

Relevant DatesFriday, August 27

Hours10.30pm

Ticketing & Price InfoRs500

Websitewww.bluefrog.co.in