Peter Cat Recording Co., the alternative rock band from Delhi, is making waves with the release of their latest album, BETA. The album is a tapestry of diverse themes stitched together into a unified musical expression. Dhruv Bhola, the band’s bassist, elaborates on this phenomenon, saying, “Somehow diverse ideas found a single expression in the songs. Through the making of the album, as songs were being written and tuned, themes kept popping up.”
The themes explored in BETA cover a broad range, from the deeper philosophies of life to heartfelt love stories. Childhood memories and the experience of parenting also make their way into the album’s narrative. This wide array of subjects showcases the band’s ability to weave various life experiences into their music. Interestingly, even the title of the album was the result of a whimsical process. The band members wrote several potential titles on pieces of paper, placed them in a hat, and had drummer Karan Singh’s six-month-old son pick one out. This impromptu method led to the serendipitous emergence of BETA as the album’s title.
‘People Never Change’, the album’s first single, exemplifies the band’s commitment to blending different cultural and musical influences. The track opens with over half a minute of vibrant bhangra beats before transitioning into a mellower sound accentuated by Suryakant Sawhney’s silky vocals. Ironically, despite its title, ‘People Never Change’ underwent the most changes before its final version. The song went through several iterations and was recorded over a span of five years across three different continents, reflecting the band’s overarching commitment to their art.
This is not the first time Peter Cat Recording Co. has taken time to perfect their work. Their sophomore album, Bismillah (2019), similarly evolved over an extended period. Born from transient thoughts and emotions, Bismillah’s tracks underwent numerous changes as they were being written, mirroring the evolving lives of the band members. Ultimately, the album came together cohesively, with songs that seemed to converse with one another. The music radiated a celebratory mood, influenced in part by frontman Suryakant’s marriage.
Since their inception in 2009, Peter Cat Recording Co.
. has been known for their eclectic sound, blending elements of psychedelic, jazz, alt-rock, and more. Dhruv Bhola encapsulates the band’s approach to music-making: “Years of listening to music and imbibing it, subconsciously pinpointing elements that make certain music tick, experimenting with our own method, simultaneously paying homage to older sounds and forms, trusting our instincts but also doubting them.” This balance of innovation and reverence for musical tradition is at the heart of the band’s creative process.
The release of BETA is accompanied by an ambitious tour schedule. The 77-concert ‘Good Luck Beta 24’ tour is set to be one of the largest undertaken by an Indian band. Beginning in August, the tour will take Peter Cat Recording Co. across North America, Europe, the U.K., and India, with the Indian leg of the tour scheduled for December. This tour marks a significant milestone for the band, as they will be performing new music after a hiatus of approximately five years.
In India, the tour will kick off at the Drome Arena in Pune on December 14, moving to the W Hotel in Goa on December 15. Mumbai fans can look forward to a show at JVPD Ground on December 20. The band will then perform in Delhi NCR, their home base, on December 22 at DLF Cyber Hub in Gurugram. The final phase of the Indian tour includes a performance at Bengaluru’s Jayamahal Palace on December 28, and a concluding show at Roots in Kolkata on December 29.
The release of BETA is not just a musical milestone; it also coincides with the birth of the drummer Karan Singh’s baby, adding a layer of personal significance to the album. This conjunction of personal and professional milestones underscores the band’s unique journey and the thematic depth of their music.
As Peter Cat Recording Co. gears up for their extensive tour, the anticipation among fans is palpable. The band’s ability to combine diverse musical influences with personal storytelling promises an electrifying experience for audiences across the globe. With BETA, Peter Cat Recording Co. continues to push the boundaries of their artistry, bridging past inspirations with contemporary sounds to create something truly extraordinary.
