Young and Ambitious Hades
Delving into the world of Bangladesh’s music culture, we tend to find many musicians pursuing their passion from an early age. Hades, a youthful band of 6, is a prime example of the emergence of such musicians. Samin Ahmed was one of the founding members and backing vocalists. Now continuing with Pragata Naoha, Rayhan Hassan, Quazi Farhan Ahmed, Ishmam Ahmed, Oisho Tamam and Zarif Alam, this group of 6 and Akhlaq Siddiqi, their companion/occasional co-player, share their thoughts and stories with Colors’ Tunajina Islam.
Having been only a band since the beginning of the year, they had their first debut in Scholastica at the Rock Invasion 2019 concert among the likes of Nemesis and Arbovirus. Playing their original “Lone Wolf”, the band swears it to be their best performance yet as the crowd went wild singing along as the second chorus came in. Rock being the root of the band’s style, they play different variations of the sort. But the group of 5 have started exploring different genres that range from punk rock to pop music and anything in between. “We’re still young and finding our sound,” Ishmam says. Dedicating time and money to practice against all odds and desperately seeking any feasible music pad, they came a long way. Their love for music started even before they knew the idea of bands. Singing came naturally and the music was their safe haven. Numerous artists have sparked the motivation in them and you can see the inspiration projected through each unique sound they create.
But with so much talent, is our music industry providing enough for these hopeful hearts to reach their full potential? “Bangladesh is very afraid of change,” observes Akhlaq, “and that prevents people from investing in something that’s so different.” Hades, along with many others like them, lack the exposure they deserve due to the mainstream media being congested with the same prodigies year and year again, leaving behind the contemporary talents of today. So as far as appreciation goes, the chance to be appreciated may not be much, but the admiration given by the niche audience is momentous. That being said, Hades emphasizes the importance of digital presence for young bands, stating “It’s a great chance to reach out to the masses on a huge platform.” There’s no space for rivalry in this industry because music is not about who comes out on top. Our musicians are incredibly supportive of one another and that’s the kind of environment cultivated by those who are true to their love for music. “We love to see other bands succeed, as it benefits the industry as a whole,” one of them says, as others echo the same sentiment.
It’s only a few months old and the gigs keep coming in non-stop. Hades aren’t shaken one bit by the inevitable adversities. In fact, they hope to make mistakes so they learn and do better. The only minor regret they have is not recording sooner. When asked about their 5-year goal, they confidently replied that having an album or two. “The sky is the limit when you’re talking about 5 years,” adds Ishmam. Their dedication and passion towards music is something we all can learn from. They believe there are very little excuses when you’re doing something you’re passionate about. Their fervor seizes the room as they get on stage playing their heart out. “We own the stage. We feel on top of the world!” One thing they agree on is that the adrenaline when playing is like no other. That’s truly what motivates these young souls – simply their own love for what they do.
