Quiet Storm is the latest to joion the list of winners of the Mahindra Blues Hunt. 3 bands were shortlisted for the finale that took place a week before the Mahindra Blues Festival at Mehboob Studios, Bandra. The event was held at the True School of Music in Lower Parel. The band hunt was judged by Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendosa and got the winners a chance to perform at the Garden Stage of Mahindra Blues Festival 2020, which took take place at Mehboob Studios on 8^th & 9^th of February. This is the 10^th anniversary edition of the festival.

Fueled by ardent passion for the Blues, the four members of Quiet Storm got together back in 2018 and everything just clicked on day one. The band is on a mission to keep the Blues, not just alive, but thriving. They also dabble in the sonic realms of R'N'B, Soul, Funk and Blues Rock.

The bandleader Starly Chullai has been a guitarist and vocalist for over 20 years and has been an integral part of a plethora of bands.  What makes Quiet Storm an even more special endeavor is the fact that Starly’s son Ian is also part of the band. While Starly & Ian are on the guitar and vocals, Dami plays the bass and Dam plays the drums. However, all 4 are vocalists, each bringing their own unique style to the table.

Quiet Storm hail from the beautiful hills of Jowai in Meghalaya and their musical influences range from Buddy Guy and BB King to Janis Joplin. In the past, they’ve also shared the stage with incredible musicians such as Ehsaan Noorani, Rudy Wallang, Lou Majaw, and have also recorded sessions with Ribor Mb and 4th Element.

Their music speaks for itself and they also have a series of originals that will be released this year.

Verus Ferreira met up with the band to know more about their music.

So how did the band come together and why the name Quiet Storm?

Quiet Storm was formed in 2018, when Starly saw the unique talent of Dami and Ian. Fueled by mutual interest in Blues the three began to work out as time goes on they decided to call Sam for he has the ability with his talent as a drummer, the four began to work out on original materials in Starly's Jam room. It became clear right away that they had something worthwhile after these first few songs Starly, Dami, Ian and Sam just clicked and they knew the time was right to bring back the blues, RnB, Soul, Funk and Blues Rock alive.

Have there been any line-up changes down the years?

No line up has been changed yet.

Do all share the love for the Blues or do you also have other influences?

We play blues, RnB, Soul, Funk and Blues Rock.

Do you also shift to pop and other genres to provide a variety?

Yes sometimes we do shift to pop for a change.

Do you play covers of Blues artists or are you into original compositions?

Yes we cover blues artist and the same time we play originals too.

Have you also released any albums, EPs, music videos to date?

No we haven't yet release any album, EPs, or music videos.

Starly, you have been a guitarist and vocalist for over 20 years. Were you in any other band before you formed Quiet Storm in 2018?

Yes I've been a session guitarist for a decades before forming Quiet Storm.

Starly, one of the band members is your son Ian. As the oldest member in the band, what tips do you give to the other band members, including your son?

Tips what I would like to give to all the band members including my son are: Do what you love and love what you do. Work hard, have patience, be truthful, maintain discipline because music teaches everyone how to maintain good attitude.

Ian, do you look up to your father as a role model in moulding your career? Is there some kind of bond that binds both of you together in a certain way that goes way back to your early childhood days.

Yes I do look up to him as my role model in my moulding career because he's the one who introduced me to play the blues and I've seen he's a hardworking man. Yes since my childhood he taught me how to play the guitar and he's the only person that I can rely on.

You were selected as winners at the Mahindra Blues Festival this year. Can you tell us a little bit about the competition you faced?

While we're in the Mahindra blues band hunt competition we were a bit nervous and at the same time were curious to know about the result.

Do you think there were other bands that also had a chance to win?

Yes from our point of view the other two bands like Varun Singh Trio and BlueStackface who compete with us on that day might also have a chance to win the competition.

What do you think made you the ultimate winner?

Music is not all about competition, it's only about love, being together and sharing the stage with these two bands like brothers and also we all know that music is an endless process.

According to you, what is the Blues?

According to us Blues is the roots of all types of music and every player can express his own feels with his own uniqueness.

Who have been your influences?

Our Influencers have been Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Albert King, Freddie King, Roy Buchanan, Robben Ford, Johnny Lang, Coco Montoya, Koko Taylor, Luther Allison etc.

What do you think about the current Blues scene in India?

Blues in India is expanding day by day. 

Who is your inspiration in India to play the Blues?

Rudy wallang, Ehsaan Noorani, Blackstrat blues and Rohan Ganguly, they really inspired many more artist in India.

Do you guys have regular jobs besides playing in the band?

Ian and Dami they are still students. Starly and Sam they are self-employees.

What is the music / blues scene back home in Meghalaya?

People in Meghalaya love the Blues and the Blues in Meghalaya is growing day by day.

What are your future plans?

Our future plans is to make and produce more of our originals and at the same time planning to be as a travelling band.