Grab any guy with an Artcell t-shirt on the street for an interview and they're likely to exclaim with pride, "Rock is still thriving here; we know how to savor good music!" And, for fear of drawing the zealous fervor of genre devotees (and perhaps because I count myself among them), I'd readily nod in agreement.
But let's not be mistaken rock isn't some monolithic entity. It's not just a cluster of long-haired guys with electric guitars belting out fiery tunes much to the disappointment of prudish desi parents. Rock, in all its glory, is a rich tapestry of subgenres, each with its own distinct roots and unique sounds. To lump them all together as one would be nothing short of a musical sin.
In the increasingly innovative musical landscape in Dhaka, there exists a hidden gem that embodies this diversity: Gonje Fereshta, a blues rock band hailing from Dhaka. They, much like the genre they champion, are unjustly underrated and hidden in plain sight.
With a repertory reminiscent of 60s acts such as The Doors, Gonje Fereshta’s songs are refreshingly creative and groovy. What this article will focus on however, is “Durotoro Dwip”, a deliciously bluesy rock song with intelligent lyrics to match.
“Durotoro Dwip” is very Eric Clapton-esque in the composition of its guitars yet somehow, it fuses trace elements of Bengali rock that would probably go over all but the keenest listeners’ heads.
The improvised chords, fills and solos makes the The Doors loving fanboy inside me jump up and down with joy. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into metal, hard rock, emo or soft rock, “Durotoro Dwip” is the best example of rock at its best - simple, groovy yet intelligent.
However, I do feel like the band missed the opportunity to play around with more instruments. A smooth jazz organ or even some clean pianos would probably keep the listener excited for the ‘heavier’ parts of the song.
It is a 5 minute song after all, an agonizingly long duration in this age of TikToks and Instagram reels. A little more spice wouldn’t hurt listener retention.
