We at Kochivibe were lucky enough to spend an evening with Avial and to capture some amazing footage of their fun filled practice / jamming sessions. Here is an interview with the Avial and down below you will

So Avial could you just give us a brief history of the band and each band member?

Tony:  Avial was formed in 2003, our first song was nada nada, sort of like an experimental song, We shot a video and released it on SS music. The feedback that we received was so good that we continue with it, but our first album took 4 years to come out. And in 2008 along with PhatPhish records we released out first album. And after that we started doing concerts and keep doing them!

So how did you guys come together and form Avial.?

Tony: We knew each other before we formed the  band. We were in different bands. I was in a band called Charisma, Rex was with Motherjane and Mithun was with a band called Rage while Benny was freelancer session artist.

How did the name ‘Avial’ come about?

Rex: One morning we just woke up and said lets call the band, avial

Tony:  And later when we thought about it, avial was a mixed vegetable and our style of music is like a mix of different style sof music

We heard that each of you had different music backgrounds and when you came into the band you all brought in your unique styles, can u explain that?

Tony: We all were from different bands that played different styles. we took this as a challenge and wanted to do it in Malayalam and that is how it came into being.

Kerala is a tough market for rock bands, what is your oomph factor for your success?

Tony: Basically it is because we did it all in Malayalam. that would be the reason for our success.

So you guys were featured in the Rolling Stones magazine. Tell us more about that.

Tony: we had a write up in the magazine, it was a review on the album and the band members.

The tracks that your play, are these original tracks or do they have a mix of old malayalam folk songs?

Tony: Two of our songs in the album has folk songs. We have specialists to write the folk songs so we give them the theme and sometimes pictures too and they make folk songs

Can you give us the track record of the awards Avial has received?

Tony: For the Jack Daniels Rock Awards 08 – 09 we won 6 awards, band of the year, song of the year,  album of the year in 2 categories,  critics category and popular choice. We are also being awarded the Footprint Award from symbiosis and we are being awarded along with Sashi Tharoor.

Can you give us some information on the new album you are releasing in 2010?

Tony: Well we cant say a thing about it cos we still haven’t laid a foundation to how it should be. We have no idea on how it will be. This was how our first album was also created.

Your first album released in 2007 and second is releasing in 2010. Whats with the 3 years gap?

Tony: Our first one took 4 years to release so this one is taking 3 years, something similar.

You have attended countless concerts and shows. What is Avial’s best experience so far?

Tony: Every moment was an experience. It all went good. We had attended a concert in reunion islands, it had 42 bands from all over the world attend it and we were the only ones to represent India. It was a good experience. And more than that we got an exposed to the world’s various varieties and styles.

We heard that you guys collaborated with a Italian band. Tell us more about it?

Tony: Yes,we had done a single with an Italian band. Rex had played a sitar guitar in it and it was released all over Europe. Now we are working on making music with a Chinese touch and we are going to film it next month in China.

What does Avial want to achieve and what are Avials dreams.?

Tony: One of the songs from our first album Ettam Paatu is going for a worldwide release, a company called converse is doing the compilation. We are all excited about that. And our dream would be to release five albums.

Which are your favorite song? Each one of you.

Mithun: I like them all but if I have to specify a favorite, it has to be ettam pattu and chekkinilla.

Tony: well i sand ettam pattu too and i also like that the best ettam pattu

Rex: I like to listen to ettam pattu but playing to play live, i prefer other songs like aadu paambe, karu kara….

Benny: i like all the songs! But i prefer playing Adu Pambu live.!

What does Avial like listening to? What bands have inspired you guys?

Tony:  Well, inspiration has come from many sources. To name a few Reflection, Police, Led zepplin, Pink Floyd and anything to new to Incubus. Basically everything that we have heard, sort of an avial of bands. From since we have been growing up a lot of other bands have influenced us.

Here is a question from a fan, Vishnu Viswanath. Avial draws a lot of influence from folk songs. Can you explain why so.?

Tony: Hi Vishnu. Folk songs have a raw element to it and when you look at rock music, it is also raw, loud and aggressive and dynamic.

Rex: For malayalis the only rock and roll we can associate to is folk songs. Current day movie songs are too crude. Whereas folk songs are original and authentic. What people from abroad call rock and roll , for us malayalis, we associate it as folk music.

How about a message for new and upcoming bands?

Tony: Try and sing in your mother tongue. It makes sense and people can relate to it.

The Avial Crew From Left: Rex, Grace, Hippo, Tony, Binny, Mithun & Jithu.

Photograph Credit – Indu Antony & Tarun