Siennor Trio’s Ninaivu Maaligai Honors the Past and Looks to Move On

The journey of musical duo Siennor and their latest album, Ninaivu Maaligai (translated as “Castle of Memories”), embodies a reflective homage to the past while simultaneously embracing the future. Siennor Trio, comprised of Siennor on vocals, guitar, and keys; Aravind Murali on bass; and Vinay Ramakrishnan on drums, has artfully crafted an album that encapsulates themes of love, politics, and existential musings, blending various genres seamlessly.

Background

Reflecting on his early experiences, Siennor recalls his emotional connection with the song Innum Enna, a single he released in 2021. “That song still flashes memories of a good night, a promise of a beautiful future,” he says. This sentiment resonates deeply throughout Ninaivu Maaligai, a work born out of a desire to respect past influences while navigating the complexities of modern life. “When I look back at the theme and the time during which these songs were born, it seems obvious to me that Ninaivu Maaligai is a tribute to things from the past. It wasn’t planned really though,” Siennor adds, emphasizing the organic nature of the album’s creation.

Key Developments

As producer of the album, Aravind is excited about its rich musical diversity. He describes the project as containing “a lot of different types of movements,” noting its innovative lyrical depth compared to mainstream pop music. “It’s not like your regular average thoughts expressed in Top 40 pop; it ends up having more depth,” he asserts.

Siennor explains that his previous songwriting was structured and straightforward, likening it to “absolute poetry with all the writing schemes.” Over time, however, he began to break this structure. In contrast to his last introspective album, Ninaivu Maaligai reaches outward, exploring interactions with others and societal themes rather than focusing solely on internal conflicts. “This one is like a madman exploring,” he says of the transition in his songwriting style.

The album is characterized by a unique mix of rock, Sufi, pop, jazz, and more, defying conventional musical structures. Siennor humorously points out that some tracks feature extended outros, interludes, or even lack traditional choruses altogether. He specifically highlights the song Sambalam Mattum, which incorporates a folk style with Sufi influences, resembling a qawwali where the final line is repeated for communal singing.

Extended Tracks and Artistic Freedom

Among the standout tracks from the album, Aravind points to both Vaa and Iru Vizhigalile. Originally intended to last seven minutes, the latter now stretches to an impressive ten minutes due to the band’s improvisational spirit, as Vinay playfully shares: “I just refused to stop playing. That’s all.” This persistence paid off, resulting in a longer, richer musical experience than initially envisioned.

Embracing Artistic Challenges

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where social media dominates and attention spans dwindle, Aravind describes the release of Ninaivu Maaligai as a “leap of faith.” He expresses hope that the album’s depth and authenticity will stand out against the backdrop of often transient music trends. “This is the way we grew up listening to music,” he remarks, signaling a desire to foster deeper listening experiences.

Siennor, in looking at the broader picture, recognizes the album’s potential for exploration within their sound. “We have experimented with something,” he explains, suggesting that this artistic freedom opens doors for future projects. He likens their quest for renewal to shedding skin, hinting at fresh beginnings to come.

Recording Choices

To capture the true essence of their music, the trio chose to record the album live, allowing all members to play together in the same room, as opposed to using metronomic technology common in modern recording practices. “We don’t stay stiff like a computer,” Siennor notes, emphasizing that recording in such a manner allows for natural variations in rhythm and expression. “We want people to feel things,” he insists, positioning their method as a statement against overly polished recordings.

Despite the challenges faced by independent artists, including stagnant pay for live musicians, Siennor remains optimistic. He acknowledges good news in the form of an ever-growing audience for independent music, even as mainstream styles continue to dominate popular playlists. He lamented the ambiguity of the term “indie,” suggesting that many artists labeled as such are merely low-budget productions rather than truly independent endeavors. “Once everything sits under one umbrella, the weight is going to fall on our shoulders,” he cautions, advocating for greater recognition of genuine independent artistry.

Conclusion

Their new album articulates a poignant blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking creativity, as highlighted by a telling lyric from Sambalam Mattum: “En sambalam mattum yeralaye, yenna nyayam ma?” (Why has only my salary not gone up? What kind of justice is this?). This thought-provoking inquiry encapsulates the struggles many face today. For those curious to explore Siennor Trio’s innovative sound, they will be performing live at Museum Theatre on October 17, with tickets available through outworld.fanpit.live.