After 2012 and 2013, Robert returned to MBF this year. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Robert Randolf, a pedal steel guitarist at Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF), Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF), will be remembered for his performance in the 2012 and 2013 versions of the festival. For the first time, he came with the Blues Legend Buddy Gai on the track ‘long distance call’, and the next year, his performance with the family band received a review. Robert returns to MBF this year with another line-up-Robert Randolf band.

The annual two -day festival to be held at Mehobobe Studio, Bandra on 8 and 9 February, Australian Acts Tesky Brothers and Prodigi Taj Fares, American singer Rooty Foster and Indian artist Kanchan Daniel and Megan Magan Magan will also be facilitated. John Blue Ensembal, the winner of the Talent Hunt competition, will play in the garden area.

“I am happy to be a part of this collective of blues musicians to perform on this festival,” says Robert. He says that his earlier tours have inspired him to listen to a lot of Indian music and even see how Indian slide guitar or sitar is used in collaboration with other styles. “It’s interesting how it is all connected together. All these skills help us learn new things. ,

Robert performed for music in the church. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Robert’s performance for music came through the church. He shares, “My church is a very blouse, Rock n ‘roll-like organization is based on the east coast of America and midwests. We had three-four hours of services, 90 percent of which were music. Mother’s family grew up on Fank artists like George Clinton and Parliament-Fankdelic, so I also joined it.

The pedal steel guitar was used prominently in his church and Robert was designed for it. However, when he heard the guitarist Stewi Ray Von around 1997, he wanted to use that approach in his game. “It was just kickstart to things, and I became more attracted to a variety of blues,” they say.

Stevy inspired Robert to try new techniques, with Jazz Guitarist Norman Brown. “Depending on their style, I changed my sound, tried new combinations and introduced new mechanics to create an innovative style,” they say.

Robert is ready for his new album Preacher childWhich will be released in May. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Robert considers himself lucky that he has worked with mythological artists such as big guy and Eric Clapton. “Just sit with them in the studio, you inspect their mentality, how they write, make and record. Both of them have been inspired by blues as soon as possible. He has also made songs and rifs who stand outside. A bus wants to follow them and make something that people will remember after years. ,

An interesting project was when Robert joined the ‘Trinity’ guitarist Carlos Santana and Metallica’s Kirk Hammet, a 2005 instrument tune that made Pakistani Sufi veteran Nusrat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to track ‘Terre bin Nahin Lagd’ Payed tribute. He recalls, “We recorded a studio in San Francisco with a 10-Tukra band. This was a great experience. “

Robert is now waiting for his new album Preacher childDue to release in May. He says. “From rock and blues to odor, it has got a lot of styles, and there are songs that people can dance. It is produced by a highly talented shooter Jennings. “He is also happy that many young musicians have picked up pedal steel or lap steel guitar.

Growing presence of MBF

While Robert Randolf will be the main draw in this year’s MBF, it is also interesting to see two Australian acts Tesky Brothers and Taj Farent as part of the line-up. VG Jeram of Hyperlink brand Solutions says, who manages the festival, “We always want to include acts from other parts of the world, not only America. Teski Brothers attract giant audiences in their shows and the Taj Farant is to look out for someone. ,

According to Zairam, MBF has become overwhelming since the launch in 2011, both in scale and influence. “Blues in India have been started as a niche festival for enthusiastic people, now also became popular in Chicago and New York, attracts a diverse audience that appreciates blues and rich history and storytelling that Comes with it. MBF has become a platform for Indian blues musicians, allowing them to share the stage with a global icon. ,

Jeram explains that while the blues have traditionally been a niche style in India, there is a growing hunger for it, especially among the young audiences who are searching it through modern interpretations, collaborations and digital platforms. “The festival has constant curated artists who push the boundaries of blues while being right for their roots. Blues acts at the grassroots level across the country have also increased noticeable, which is a great sign for the future of style, ”they say.