This week we reached out to one of the long standing bands in Sri Lanka, ‘Daddy’. Comprising Nimantha Kaluarachchi, Shamila Siriwardana, Viresh Cooray (Chikka), Ayesh Jayawardhana, Nalina Kasmira and Shane Joachim, Daddy has dazzled the music industry for over 18 years now.
They keep refreshing their music and producing originals for their fans constantly.
Speaking to guitarist and singer Viresh Cooray (chikka) on their experience with Daddy and the exciting things they are up to, here’s what we found out;
Q: What is Daddy up to this year?
A: We have kept ourselves rather busy. We actually have three new songs coming out in the next three months. ‘Handawe’ with Raini, ‘Dasamane’ pop and Eastern music and ‘Heena’ a groovy happy song. ‘Handawe’ is a song featuring Raini. ‘Dasamane’ is going to be a pop and Eastern mix. ‘Heena’ on the other hand will be a groovy happy song.
We are realsing these songs leading up to our signature concert ‘Ale’, which will happen in February-March of 2024. We are very excited about this.
Q:Tell us about ‘Ale’?
A: Ale is a series of concerts we have done with all our original songs. Ale has an orchestral set up. And we have rearranged all our original songs to fit this. We are planning to so an ‘Ale 2.0’ in February and March 2024.
Q: How did the post Covid phase affect your music and your work?
A: Right after Covid, there was an influx of concerts. Especially with everyone not having the chance to have concerts and enjoy them. As far as daddy goes, we utilized the time we spent in lock down to actually create a lot of music. Most of us are privileged enough to have home studios. So we communicated through Whatsapp to bounce off ideas and produce music.
So right after Covid, we wanted to get all the songs out as soon as possible.
Q: How do you think Daddy has evolved as a group?
A: We have had two founding members leaving the group, Gayan and Dila. We have hand lineup changes and even changes in style.
I believe the evolution has been very organic. We have always wanted to create music that we want to hear on the radio. So we have tried to stick to any trends, I believe this has helped us.
I strongly believe that when it comes to music you should be unique, have your own voice. In fact we have always created, and played music that feels like Daddy. But what feels like Daddy has changed over the years. Because we have also evolved together. Some of us are fathers now so we have a whole new range of emotions on us. I think our music reflects this.
Q: What inspires you to create music?
A: It’s never one thing. We are inspired by social events, people we meet, nature, relationships, our experiences and many more. All members of daddy make music and we all sing so we come together with various creative layers that we are inspired by. For instance, one of the members wrote a song about a girl on the dance floor in one of the concerts. Despite where we draw our inspiration from, we always have fun in the process.
Q: As a veteran band in the Sri Lanka music scene, have you received any advice from any one that has resonated with you?
A: We have received a lot of very helpful advice and we have tried to incorporate them into our work as much as possible. One of the most prominent figures in our life was Sunil Perera. He has given us so much advice. Back in the day when we would go into his studio and come it feels like we got out of University. One of the biggest lessons we learnt from it is to be authentic. He would say “I know I am not the best singer but I know what I am good at, to make a song of mine”.
Q: Tell us about your artistic process?
A: Usually one person will bring in the melody. It could be a few codes or something half baked or an entire song and then we would just experiment with it. We would try different codes, try dummy vocals etc. we would try one song in different ways and then see what we vibe with the most. Sometimes we would like any version and just start from scratch again.
Q: What are the challenges in being in the Sri Lankan music industry?
A: One of the biggest challenges that we have faced over the years is not having new audiences to play in.
In countries like the US, artists can tour and play for fresh audiences in different states.
Here there are only so many places you can play at and the same people will come. Then the concert gets stale and there won’t be any magic to it.
Q: What is your favourite Daddy song?
A: That’s a tough question. I don’t think I can pick one. When it comes to singing it will be ‘’Chandrayan Pidu’.
And ‘Aradana’, I really enjoy saying it. ‘Raaka’ is one of my personal favorites. Our favorite songs are not going to be the fan favorites, because some songs we don’t get to play as much so we really enjoy when we get a chance to play them.
Q: What has been your experience in being a part of Daddy in one word?
A: I cannot sum it up in one word. I’d say it’s been exciting, heart-wrenching, crazy and heartwarming experiences ever. It has given us almost every emotion in the world.
It has made us incredibly happy and emotional and proud and in moments it felt like it was getting difficult we were devastated. But it’s been our life and neither of us would do anything else but this.
If I had to use a word it would be ‘life’.
