Dharini Udugama: Rocking it out with the classics

Dharini has been involved in the local scene for quite some time. The reason you have not heard much about her is because she is too humble to make a big commotion about it! A fashion designer who has her own clothing line, Dharini is one of those people who can crack you up with almost anything she says. Her latest venture in the field of music is joining “Hopeless Poet” formally known as Amadeus. You might have seen her at the “Melomanic Sessions” (If you have been lucky to go to one).

How did music become a part of you?

According to my brother, it’s all my mum’s doing. When I was a baby, apparently she would park me in front of the TV in my pram and pop in video tapes of Michael Jackson’s music and performances. Seriously though, most of my family plays piano and one of my earliest memories is of my grandmother playing piano for me. So it’s no surprise that the piano was my first instrument. But I’m sure Michael Jackson has something to do with it too.

You play for a rock band and I also know you back classical singers; how do you strike a balance between the two and which do you prefer playing?

Well, I’ve been playing classical music since I was about 9 or so. It’s my musical foundation, so to speak. But since my early teens, I’ve absolutely loved classic rock and alternative rock. And then I discovered Evanescence and that was the bridge to a whole new world of different genres of rock. Truth be told, even though the end results sound so different, it seems to me the two genres actually have more in common with each other than any other two genres that I’ve come across, and I have no trouble switching between the two. If you think about it, if you took a rock song, say… a Tool song (or even a Hopeless Poet song), took out the drums and guitars and got a classical singer to sing it, you could probably fool quite a few people.  The bottom line is, I play only what I love and if I don’t connect with it on some level, then I don’t play it because I won’t do justice to it, and that applies to whatever genre of music. I can’t box my preferences and say I am only one particular thing – I am different things at different moments in time and I may well feel for half an hour tomorrow that African Tribal music is who I am.

Photo credits: Shamanthi Rajasingham

You are also a designer with your own line of clothing, do you have a say in the sense of style for members of Amadeus when performing?

Haha! No. The boys look on stage the way they always look – they’ve all got their own thing going and it’s pretty cool.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Wow. Is there a limit? (In no particular order) J.S. Bach. J.C. Bach. Beethovan. Debussy. Meatloaf. Journey. Def Leppard. Evanescence (the debut album).  Poets of the Fall. Tool. Matchbox20. Damien Rice. Dave Mathews Band. Sarah McLachlan. John Mayer. Our Lady Peace. Alter Bridge. Creed. Incubus. Safri Duo. POD. And as of this year, CC and Hopeless Poet and a few other local artists whose work I admire.
So basically – any musician or band worth their salt. People who put their heart into their work – if I can connect with their music, then I am inspired.

What does music mean to you?

That’s personal. And that’s between me and my music.

What defines a good song?

Hm. I’d say the ability to relate to it or connect with it –the way the music paints the picture, the words that HAVE to be said and WANT to be heard... the emotions it captures, where it takes you…  There’s a lot more to it than just a catchy tune or a good beat. Which seems to be what contemporary music is mostly about. I have to say though, quite a few songs by local artists (like CC, Asela Perera, Nathan) I’ve been hearing on the radio lately seems to fall under that definition of ‘good music’ than most international chart toppers. Makes you think, doesn’t it. Hm.

One of the best experiences you have had as a performer would be?

Tough to narrow it down, but if I had to choose one from my performances this year, I’d say Rock & Roll IV on the 15th of February, 2014. Funnily enough, it was also my worst experience as a performer (in possibly, ever!) The thing about performing is, things are going to go wrong on stage. And everyone will be watching you. So the mark of a good performer is not only how entertaining and captivating they are, but also how well they recover from a boo-boo. I was playing keyboards for the first time on a stage (being a classical pianist, I turn my nose up at any other plastic instrument pretending to be a piano) for Hopeless Poet and at the exact place where a song goes into double time, I accidently hit the metronome button – and the blessed thing started up a count loud as ever! The guys didn’t know it was me and they didn’t know what was happening, but they just went with it! It probably wasn’t our best version of the song but as far as performances go, it still came out pretty good and my respect for the guys climbed a bit more for the way they handled it (even though I die of embarrassment every time I think of it!) Incidentally, that was my first time performing with Hopeless Poet – there’s something fulfilling about knowing that we were that connected, even that early on. As far as performing with a group of performers goes – it doesn’t get much better than that.

What's next for you musically?

Well, I’m also a part of a group called ‘The Curlicians’ and my next biggest step right now is working with them on our debut album. I’m quite excited about it because for one, we’re more of an indie rock/parody/acoustic rock kinda band, so it’s a different genre altogether and for another, I get to explore my abilities as a singer, a song writer, a violinist, a guitarist… possibly even as a cellist at some point! I’m lucky that the Curlicians (Oshan Fernando, Pulasthi Hewamanna and Asith Pussewela) are so… tolerant. Haha! No, I mean, encouraging. They seem to believe that I could play or sing anything I set my mind to – and everyone in the band sings and plays multiple instruments, so there’s never a dull moment there! I’m also looking forward to collaborating with a few local solo artists on their work – there’s so much talent right here at home and it’s truly a humbling experience to watch and learn from them. And that’s really what it’s all about isn’t it. Getting to experience the thing you love most from the best seat in the house.

By Reihan Stephen