Nita Chawla: Vocals, Keyboards François Smith "Azam": Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals Rahul Mukerji Lead and Rhythm Guitars Bruce "dodobrz": Percussions, Guitars
Influences
Mars Volta, Ayurveda, Yes, Pink Floyd, Niyaz, Tool, Opeth, Steve Vai, Ethiopian restaurants, whole leaf teas, Gnawa Diffusion, Dead Can Dance, Devil's Anvil, Hamza El Din...
Sounds Like
Eastern Psychedelic Rock
Observed - Live in Rockville, MD - Sept 2008
Monster - Live at the Red Lion Pub, Augusta, GA - July 2008
IRITIS blends western music with eastern influences. Their sound bridges many different genres from hard rock to bollywood to piano ballads to psychedelic rock while their lyrics explore philosophical themes and the human condition. With the exception of a few obscure covers, most of their repertoire is comprised of original material. They have had guest performers playing off and on such as Binesh, Ahmed, Çan and Tekle.
Nita was born in the deep South but raised in Maryland. As an American-born Indian she grew up surrounded by her family's eastern musical roots, yet she enjoys playing and listening to American alternative rock, pop and blues. Nita grew up learning classical piano as a kid, but picked up guitar and song-writing in her late teens. For the past couple of years, she has been performing solo shows at bars, coffee shops and improv comedy showcases in the Pittsburgh and D.C. area. Her song, "Amazing Too" was nominated at Borders (Germantown) for song of the year in 2006.
François grew up in South Carolina. He is half French, half South Carolinian. François plays bass and rhythm guitar and writes most of the songs. He has experience performing with several bands including The Shanks and God's Comics both in South Carolina. His father Garriet Wade Smith was a studio musician and member of the band The Counts in the 1960's who recorded and had radio play in the Columbia SC region. He plays a Westone bass with Fender Jazz pickups and for rhythm guitar a Drive Wildfire X3 with a 1960's Haynes Jazz King II amp.
Rahul has lived all over India. He taught himself to play guitar, bass, flute, harmonica, synthesizer in addition to digital audio programming. His sketches and drawings were featured on the Gawker Artists website. His versatility and eclectic musical tastes have led him to play in indo-fusion, nuevo flamenco, progressive metal and pop rock bands. His solo guitar compositions were highlighted in the June 2008 issue of Guitar Player magazine.
Bruce grew up in Mauritius and Morocco. In his early teens, one of his brothers gave him a guitar and his first lessons. Along the way he picked up various traditional and modern percussions. He likes to dabble in just about every instrument and speaks some 6 languages. He has performed classical guitar and african percussions at the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage. He also played guitar and harmonica with the jazzy folk band Atisu and co. which performed live and on the radio in the South of France.
Dude if you guys can make it to JAXX that would be AWESOME! If you can get your ticks from us as well that would help us out BIG TIME! You know JAXX and their ticket presale policies! :) We are really happy you guys dug us man. We went out for kabobs after the show and talked about how cool you guys were as people! We should hang!
My name is Teresa Marie. I am a strong female vocalist, who can sing lead as well as harmonize with just about anyone who can carry a tune. I have been singing most of my life amd music is my life. I will be 38 this Sunday. I am currently looking for a project that would have a little more exposure and play time than what I am currently working with, I have a guitar player who is DR in a well known hospital so we have alot of DNB weekends. To date we have 4 dates on the books for 2009 and 1 for 2010. I am currently one of the singers of a band called Smokem Joe. www.smokemjoe.com You can find out more 411 about me if you have a myspace check me out at www.myspace.com/teresamarie1971 my bands myspace which I created is here. www.myspace.com/smokemjoerocks I have in the past worked 2-3 projects at the same time. I am currently living in Crofton, Md, willing to travel anywhere. Smoke Joe just wrapped up a six month run playing everywhere from the Green Turtle in Westminster, to the Purple Moose in OC. I am looking to move in the very near future, my sister lives in Thurmont, My brother in Hagerstown, I have a son that goes to Frostburg, and a daughter in Salisbury. My car a 2009 VW, 11 mo old has 25,000 miles on it, so I am use to traveling. Recently we put together a promo video here on youtube you can see more if you search smokemjoerocks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Ghmkw8-Jk The beginning of the video is alot of gang singing and about 1/4 of the way I have featured some female vocals songs tried to get everyones shining moments in. I have been urning to work on an original project, have been fortunate enough to do a few sm piece projects in the studio. If interested in sett
Hi Iritis [Looking for New Singer], Thanks for being friends! Nice to meet you! We're giving away a free copy of our song "Only In Your Mind" to all of our new fans! Just click the button on the image below to get yours:: Hope you enjoy and please keep in touch!
Hi Iritis, It's a pleasure 2 meet you. Thank you 4 ADDing us 2 YourSpace. We're happy to B. your friend. Keep on the good energy. Peace and Love (-: B. Eitan
Thank you so much for being our friend. That means alot to us. Maybe we'll see you at our upcoming show at the Red and Black in DC on May 11th!!! . Hope you are having a tremendous week!!! Your friends, Angel Row
Greetings Iritis! InI give heartically thanks and nuff raspect fi di link up. Big Up fi di works & Irie vibes on your Ispace ! Fi mek sure to listen to more tracks of Songs Of Solomon, please feel irie to follow InI invitation to the Ispace of di DUBRADIO S. O. S. SOUNDSTATION, which is di webradio of S.O.S. and online every weekend from fri - sun.
heya bruce, nita, y all :) running to work but yes, i'd definitely be interested. loved your set the other night. have you guys thought about playing 18th street lounge? i've been eyeing it for a while now but haven't tried anything yet. i'm not sure if people who aren't on their label ever do anything there but i think our combo could be a good fit....... just thinking.... hmmmm.... ciao ciao and talk soon, flo
Nelsaon and I had a great time meeting everyone and seeing you perform in GA. We are spreading the word about Iritis to our friends in DC. We hope to hear great things about your music.
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