Mirror Magazine
 

Singing many a tune
Natasha Fernandopulle checks out Warren with RMC, a relatively new band on Colombo’s music scene
Warren with RMC... you would wonder at such a name. Well, it’s all to do with the initials of the band members. The members of the band are Warren Nugara, Rozette Telling, Cherri Dias and Kaushalya Fonseka, who are long-time friends who decided to form a band.

Husband and wife, Warren and Rozette have been performing together for 12 years. Cherri was in Dubai for eight years and was a member of Dream Team for 10 years and was also with the band Revelations. Kaushalya, who is the newest member of the band, started off her performing career with the band. She fits into the place of ‘M’ because the first ‘M’ had to leave the band because she chose motherhood over music. (Incidentally the first ‘M’ was Molly.)

One must have figured out by now that the band consists of three female singers and one male. This is what is unique about the band. As a result, “We target songs which suit the structure of the band,” says Warren.

At The Mix, where they perform, they start off with a quiet atmosphere and transform into a dance atmosphere. They target the chart hits and perform a wide variety of music, which range from pop music, R’n’B, slow and light rock, jazz funk and oldies. The oldies are performed mainly for the dance audience.

Some of the artistes they do covers of are Robbie Williams, Britney Spears, Madonna, CCR, the Eagles, Destiny’s Child and Neil Diamond to name a few. The best performance they say “depends on the reaction of the audience”. The band tries to cater to a mixed audience. “We have a regular following,” Warren added.

“Yes we have the idea of doing originals”, they said. But they have not been able to work much at it because of their busy schedule. “Harmony is one of the main aspects we concentrate on,” said Rozette. So they look into songs with harmony where the main emphasis is on the voices. “We feel that our audience is concerned about the vocal aspect,” thus the emphasis on the voices, said Rozette.

The group tours abroad as well. Three weeks ago they performed at the Shangri La Hotel, China, on behalf of Sri Lankan Airlines. In October they hope to perform for the opening of a seven star hotel in Abu Dhabi.

As far as the music industry in Sri Lanka is concerned Warren had this to say, “There is good scope in Sri Lanka, but it is a business that one has to work very hard at. You have to keep up with the changing environment as it is integral to the career.” Warren with RMC perform four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9.15 p.m. onwards at The Mix, Taj Samudra.

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