Although Bengaluru-based Brandon Colaco has been playing the didgeridoo since 2011, his journey took a significant turn when he decided to stop performing around 2019. “I decided to stop performing and start learning music, working closely with friends and other musicians,” Colaco shares over a phone call. This decision was the genesis of a new musical identity, the didgeridoo dance music act Two Eyed Wizard.
The act had its debut show in 2022 at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined in Koramangala, a testimony to Colaco’s evolving craft. “We saw almost 350-400 people there, which was a super turnout,” he recalls, expressing his satisfaction at this impressive audience. This debut, however, was not without its challenges, including personal upheavals and family losses, which prompted Colaco to rethink and reshape Two Eyed Wizard.
These experiences led to a transformation in how Colaco presented the droning, mysterious boom of the didgeridoo, making it more “interactive and relatable” for audiences in a variety of settings such as bars, festivals, and restaurants. This evolution allowed Colaco to breathe new life into his performances, creating a fresh and engaging experience for his listeners.
Over the years, Two Eyed Wizard has played across India, recently completing nearly 80 shows in Goa. However, the journey doesn’t end here. Colaco is now set to take his act international, with solo performances scheduled at the Tribal Elek Festival in Andilly-les-Marais, France, on August 10, followed by another set at the Fatt Festival in Odemira, Portugal, from August 29 to September 1.
These international performances come on the heels of the release of Two Eyed Wizard’s album, Tuwakituwa, in 2023, which has garnered significant global attention. “The album’s success has been instrumental in putting us on the global map,” Colaco remarks.
Two Eyed Wizard’s music is a fusion of various styles, incorporating the didgeridoo into trance, psychedelic, ambient, and Indian classical music across five songs. A unique element of Colaco’s performances is his use of konnakol — the art of performing percussion syllables vocally in South Indian Carnatic music. This integration has likely never been heard before on the global stage and adds a distinctive edge to his craft.
“I have my own style of playing the didgeridoo which I’ve developed over the years, primarily because I craft the instruments myself,” Colaco explains. “Creating different types of instruments requires you to have the versatility to play all of them. Then there is konnakol, which just came to me naturally. Applying it to the didgeridoo brings complex rhythmic compositions in a new sound,” he adds.
Colaco’s mentor, the late Mukesh Dhiman, a renowned didgeridoo maker and teacher in Rishikesh, deeply influenced his artistic journey. Dhiman’s DIY workshops since the 1970s have attracted musicians from around the world. “He used to say, ‘Just close your eyes, think of God, and play,'” Colaco recalls, emphasizing the spiritual connection he feels with the instrument.
As Colaco embarks on his European tour, he plans to lean more into Indian classical sounds, incorporating the tanpura along with konnakol. “I’m thinking of using more Indian influences in my set. I’ve been practicing to be more interactive with my audience and involve them in my konnakol to truly bring this Indian didgeridoo flavor into the mix. My purpose is to put this Indian didgeridoo sound on the map,” he asserts.
Colaco’s European journey is expected to keep him engaged throughout his 35-day trip, with more shows likely to be confirmed. In addition to being a musician, Colaco is also an engineer, farmer, and visual artist — a testament to his multifaceted talents and interests.
Upon his return from Europe, Colaco plans to release another single that follows the Tuwakituwa collection of songs later this year. He is also committed to building a more structured community for didgeridoo artists and fans within India.
“I realized this community is going to support me tomorrow. We have a community set up in Goa with about 40-50 didgeridoo players. I recently conducted a workshop in Pondicherry, creating another community there with around 20 players. Bangalore also has a very strong community, and we plan to hold gatherings next month. This year, our goal is to establish this community and hold a didgeridoo makers-player’s festival,” Colaco shares with optimism.
As he continues to expand his horizons while staying deeply rooted in his cultural heritage, Brandon Colaco and his didgeridoo are poised to resonate with audiences globally, creating a unique blend of traditional and contemporary music that transcends borders.
