The Indian indie music scene is inundated with a wide variety of tracks brought forth by the ever-increasing number of artists and bands seizing the opportunity to contribute and evolve the quality of music for the audience. Such an expedited expansion and recognition of the community and the various artists has made it difficult for newcomers to break through the traffic and make a name of themselves unless they have something truly exciting to offer. Clearly, Gaurav Chintamani had this concept ingrained in his mind when he set out to compose and deliver music through his solo instrumental project The Dirt Machine whose tracks remind us of the exciting and experimental content that brought about the diversification of the indie music community.
The 4-track debut EP titled “It’s About Time” explores Chintamani’s exquisite musicianship and beautiful production capabilities. The EP showcases a very unique sort of experimental music which could be pegged as a digressive yet inspired take on the blues genre. From the very first song, it doesn’t take an experienced critic to notice that Chintamani has opted out of traditional and soothing guitar tones to deliver something that carries a sort of gritty and abrasive nature. This quality extends beyond just the guitar tones as the production and the arrangement is designed to exude a sense of unpredictability and uncertainness, spattering across the tracks in a dirt-like fashion thereby coinciding with the name “The Dirt Machine”.
“It’s About Time” sees the creative input of eminent guest drummers, namely Shantanu Sudarshan, Adhiraj Mustafi and Aman Singh Rathore. Their experience and expertise ensures that the drum layout in each track works in tandem with the rest of the instruments to elevate and polish the overall feel and sound. The tracks’ unique sound can be associated with Chintamani’s predilection towards experimental and fusion music that is showcased in Advaita’s releases where he plays the bass. The Dirt Machine’s EP follows a thematic exploration, experimenting with complex arrangements and off time signatures while garnishing them with Chintamani’s exemplary personal touches that make the finished product well worth a listen. Speaking about the origin of the name of his project, Gaurav reminisces his son’s fondness of drawing which he was allowed to do wherever he wanted in the house as long as he explained his art to his parents. The project’s name is inspired by his son’s first painting of the same name which also is the EP’s album art.
In conclusion, The Dirt Machine champions the wide range and variety that the indie music community has to offer. Gaurav Chintamani makes a conscious effort to divulge from the mainstream forms of music to bring us something that is an acquired taste of sorts, but one can’t argue with the fact that the sheer depth and grittiness of the music gives it its unique nature; dark and edgy on the surface with a rich and beautiful aura around it that keeps the listener hooked from the beginning to the end of the album.
