Better indie music arrives in threes
Indie musician Hitesh Rikki Madan’s sixth single, “Tu Bataa”, matches his familiar voice and lyrics of love introspection with a polished pop production. As with his prior efforts, Hitesh’s vocals remain a vital aspect of “Tu Bataa”, mostly because they are so identifiable but, this time around in welcoming his sons Arriv (bass) and Advay (drums) into the world of music professionalism, Hitesh provides equal weightage to their vocals, who were last heard in 2021’s other joint effort, “Aao Naa”, but with a new found maturity that goes with age. Otherwise, without them, the song may have belonged to anyone, but the distinctive bassline from Arriv holds the song firmly together, supported by welcoming harmonies from the trio. Hitesh’s catchy track is much like his songs from the past in that “Tu Bataa” is all pleasant and comforting, and ultimately goes to show just how Hitesh appears to have found just the right elixir for energized pop that is both addictive and empowers singalongs.
For those yet not familiar with him, New Delhi-based indie musician Hitesh Rikki Madan has completed over 25 years as a professional musician, having started his career as the lead guitarist for Euphoria aged 17 in 1996, being part of the band when “Dhoom” was released in 1998, and remained an integral member of the band all the way to 2010.
(L-R) Arriv, Advay, Hitesh
Whereas Ariv and Advay started out in their music careers performing as a duo, since then, they have also collaborated with father Hitesh on many of his original compositions, with both youngsters receiving formal training in music since childhood. But the real turning point in their lives occurred when the concerts that they staged from their balcony (the so-called Balcony Concerts) during the lockdown in March 2020 when father Hitesh started performing with them, receiving expected acclaim. Ariv and Advay have also played at DCAC college, Lost Lemons (Gurgaon), Hard Rock Cafe, and on multiple online events organised by corporates, colleges, and schools.
While the music of “Tu Bataa” is composed, arranged, and produced by Hitesh, the lyrics are co-written with Manish Dhawan, and has been recorded at Aria: The Studio (earlier known as Rikki’s Workstation), and mixed and mastered by Anindo Bose at Plug N Play Studios.
As part of the family’s promotions for “Tu Bataa”, Hitesh and sons performed at the Clef Music Awards held in Mumbai on June 28 – the official day for the song’s release – and will follow up on the performance on July 29, 2023 at New Delhi’s ICCR Auditorium.
While Hitesh Rikki Madan usually tends to keep his cards closed, one thing that is a certain is that there are several songs “in the pipeline”, which is welcome news if it maintains the sounds of pure pop that was initially linked only with Hitesh, but has now extended to family members Ariv and Advay too!
Tu Bataa – album cover
