After a hiatus of five years, Kolkata’s own Pelican Shuffles is back with a new single, Catch A Cab, adding fresh energy to the indie rock scene in the city. Formed in 2017, the alternative rock band, known for their catchy guitar riffs and genre-blending style, has amassed over 90,000 streams and electrified audiences at top venues across Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, and Kolkata. With members Prashant Gujadhur, Subhomoy Mitra, Varun Gujadhur, Sougata Hari and Rohan Ganguli, the band is out with two EPs, a single, and a YouTube channel featuring award-winning videos.
With Catch A Cab, which was released at the end of June, the band continues to showcase their unique sound and unwavering creativity, solidifying their place as a rising star in the indie rock genre.
My Kolkata spoke to Pelican Shuffles lead vocalist Varun Gujadhur, about their latest release. Edited excerpts follow…
My Kolkata: What inspired the lyrics and overall theme of Catch a Cab?
Varun Gujadhur: It’s one of those normal conversations that would have otherwise been ordinary, but at the moment sparked an idea, and now it is a song. Catch a Cab came about when I was waiting for my girlfriend and she sent a message saying that she was catching a cab and coming to pick me up. It is all about that anticipation — just sitting and waiting for the person you love to arrive, and that feeling you get when you know they’re on their way.
How would you describe the musical style and production elements of Catch a Cab?
It Is a guitar rock ballad duet, with clean production, and an atmospheric sound wrapped with catchy melodies. It has a feel-good vibe that you can sing along with while driving.
What emotions or experiences are you trying to convey with the song?
This song is the kind you’ll look back on fondly years from now — [think about] those seemingly ordinary moments that become cherished memories. It is a tender, charming piece about life and its emotions, and I hope the bittersweet tones offer comfort and solace.
Why did the band decide to focus on releasing singles rather than albums?
It’s a proven and effective strategy for musicians and bands to regularly offer new music to their listeners and fans. So, we decided to give it a try and release a song every month.
Can you explain the significance of the musical contributions of each band member on the single?
Catch a Cab showcases the unique contributions of each band member. I handled the lead vocals, songwriting, lyrics and composition, along with the acoustic and electric guitars with effects and organs. Subhomoy Mitra provided dynamic bass grooves and backing vocals, while Prashant Gujadhur added atmospheric delay guitar sounds. Ellerene Lyngdoh Nongbri contributed additional vocals, adding a surprising duet element. Sougata Hari kept the steady groove on drums and percussion, and Rohan Ganguli is responsible for guitar, backing vocals, and production, including a standout solo. Tirthankar Ray oversaw the mixing, mastering, and synths, while the recording was done at Blue Monk Studios.
What are some future projects Pelican Shuffles is working on?
With our new drummer, Sounak Roy (post the release of Catch a Cab), on board, we’re planning to release several more songs throughout the year. Our regular live-show attendees will recognise some familiar tracks. Expect a series of exciting new releases, and stay tuned for our upcoming Delhi and Mumbai tours.
