I knew I couldn’t sing over them, so I decided to sing under them. The more noise they made the more softly I sang. When they discovered they couldn’t hear me, they began to look at me. Then they began to listen. As I sang, I kept thinking, ‘softly with feeling.’ The noise dropped to a hum; the hum gave way to silence. I had learned how to reach and hold my audience – softly, with feeling.
– Peggy Lee
Haiku is a form of poetry from Japan that is short yet deeply expressive. Theirs is such a perfect name for a band. The songs are just as short and sharp as a pretty haiku.
The band mixes multiple genres to achieve an astonishingly meditative effect. The time signatures are so odd and complex. The vocals are soft but bleeding.
The Bengaluru based project formed as a student – teacher collab. It emerged organically from the music program at Mallya Aditi International School – evolving into a vibrant musical project rooted in creativity, connection and mentorship.
With three music students and three music teachers – Haiku brings a refreshing take on songwriting with a sound best described as mellow prog jazz.
Featuring Om Iyer on drums, Paro Mukherjee and Suki Kurpad on vocals, Tanvi Rao on keys, Daniel Sundaram on bass, and Mihir Rajeev on violin – the collective is shaped by a deep love for contemporary jazz, neo-soul and complex time signatures rooted with Indian influences.
‘Surfacing’ explores themes of self-discovery, creating a sonic space where introspection meets clarity — offering listeners a fresh perspective on life’s intricacies and the journey within the center of the soul.
They’re playing with multiple genres – jazz, soul, funk, rock, Indian and Western Classical – blending them all into a fruitful mix that satisfies the sonic palette.
Morning Come is a beautiful composition during the course of which the listener is both in a jazz bar and a pop concert.
The sounds are highly comforting. Cycle Breaker is my favorite. The melodies hush over the drums and keys. The vocals enter.
Can I get to the bottom of this cycle
Want to wake up with clarity and faith
The instrumentation makes the listener melt. Jazz drumming, piano and violin blend together to create a supremely touching effect.
Lone Empire is a ballad sung beautifully. Seven is a song delivered entirely through the mix of vocalizations and instrumental.
‘Surfacing’ is a performance that deserves to shine on and get coverage. The vocals are sung under the instruments and not over.
As I sang, I kept thinking, ‘softly with feeling.’ The noise dropped to a hum; the hum gave way to silence. I had learned how to reach and hold my audience – softly, with feeling. The vocals are delivered in such a quiet yet striking manner – a Peggy Lee style.
The drumming is some of the best I have come across in recent times. It makes the song start, pause and shift. The instruments weave themselves around each other in a supremely progressive way. There’s an almost post-rock sensibility at play.
Haiku is an oddly interesting jazzpop band. The album is a mix of genres rolled together into a ball of an EP. ‘Surfacing’ is a deeply moving experience and a reminder that if done right then fusion can be the most moving genre on planet.
