Fan favourites PCRC returns to B'luru

Falah Faisal | NT

I first heard of Peter Cat Recording Company (PCRC) when I was looking for music for my first short film back in 2012. I went down to Hysteria, a music store that used to be on Church Street, as someone there recommended checking them out, and I was instantly in love.

So when they performed next at CounterCulture in Whitefield, I was there to see them live for the first time. Since then, they have become the band I’ve seen live, every time they come to Bengaluru in the last decade and also seen them perform in Mumbai and Delhi, where they are originally from.

When I last wrote about them, it was 7 years ago when I was a budding reporter, a lot has changed since then. For starters, their lineup now has two new additions - Dhruv Bhola replacing Rohan Kulashestra on bass and Rohit Gupta on keys and trumpet. Kartik Pillai, who plays guitar and keyboards and has been a part of the band since the beginning, said, “Dhruv shares some songwriting responsibilities, and Rohit is probably the most gifted musician in the band. That has changed the band dynamic completely.” They are also now managed by French label Panache, who have helped them release two Vinyls - Portrait of Time and Bismillah.

“By signing with Panache it opened up a whole new set of contacts and possibilities. Panache also invested in the band in a big way and got us to Europe and really took our production to the next level. In my opinion, they were pivotal in getting us to where we are,” said Pillai, adding that the label’s backing has also enabled them all to shift to Goa to work on their next album.

The band has been together since 2009 and 13 years is a long time for any Indian band. About the secret to their longevity, Kartik said, “It is because we don’t take each other too seriously.”

“Bengaluru has always been a very musical city. While Mumbai has Bollywood, Namma city has always had an independent vibe. Alongside Kolkata it is probably our favourite city to perform in,” said Pillai who last performed here back in December at UB City.

Peter Cat will be the headlining act at the first ever LiveBox Festival at Lalit Ashok where they will be performing alongside Parekh & Singh, Raman Negi, Space is All We Have and Jatayu.

Where: The Lalit Ashok, Seshadripuram
When: July 16, 5 pm
Tickets: skillboxes.com