Though it is a distant memory, innovation and experimentation in indie-pop are making a come-back.
Viva K, the West Coast's latest musical offering, has made it possible to hear computerized beats behind Middle Eastern style sitar or serene femme vocals alongside distorted, punk-influenced guitar.
A relatively young band, Viva K formed in 2003.
"It all started over a drink and a discussion about the late George Harrison," lead singer Wene Calas said. "On Friday nights, we would just hang out and play. These jams kind of morphed into what we are playing now."
Now, Viva K is concentrating on fusing many, and often very diverse, influences to create its unique sound - one that embraces a traditional rock line up as well as more intricate musical technology.
Seeing how the potential of this technology could be used to accentuate its style, the band creates a catchy, repetitive and hypnotic sound using a laptop loop of drum beats and keyboard synthesizers.
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"We kind of experimented around with different stuff," guitarist Ravi Dhar said. "We all were hanging out, and between the four of us, we have very diverse interests and we started spinning a bunch of different things. We weren't doing a garage revival or anything and that is why we kept going and moving. We are a little more punked-out Primal Scream with a little bit of Eastern influence. George Harrison's philosophy and experimentation is also an influence in spirit."
Ideas and creativity are often inspired, played and eventually recorded in the band's in-house studio in California. In Viva K's studio, the creative process is prodded with meticulous musical ingenuity and a bottle of wine, Dhar said.
"It's pretty freeform. We let the day take us and find many different ways of expression," he said.
A definite shot outside the mainstream, Viva K's lack of an actual drummer would seem to impair the energy of live shows, but members say nothing could be further from the truth.
"There is something about not having a drummer that makes you approach your own instrument in a different way," Dhar said. "With the laptop, we have so much flexibility with different tones that it doesn't make sense to put a drummer over the sound. I've been pretty interested in technology in music and it has made me approach playing the guitar a lot differently."
For a band that has been together for only a year, Viva K has hit the scene with undeniable intensity, which heightens its potential for further musical exploration. Sitar, laptop and synth player Evan Haros said he has no idea where the band's sound will progress in the future.
"We have a lot of ideas and are excited to about exploring them all," he said. "Music is music, but it is also interconnected with the people playing it. The music tells you where to go. The music gives you direction."
Who: Viva K
When: Monday
Where: Burt's Tiki Lounge
Info: 243-2878
