There is so much to talk about Monojit 'Kochoo' Datta, between and beyond all four of us, that it is best to express what we feel in an instrumental.
A visionary genius to the world, Kochoo Da saw a bunch of teenagers who were really keen on playing music, and did it their own way. Sometimes, it worked; often, it, didn't. In 1997, Easy Riders stepped into the legendary Studio Vibrations, run by none other than Usha Uthup, and recorded a four-song demo that was produced by Kochoo Da, recorded by another legend, Ephraim Isaacs. That moment marked a turning point for the band -- we quickly realised how hard we had to work at our collective craft. Over the next year, the band played some memorable gigs, won the IIT Kharagpur Spring Fest band competition, Wildfire, and was poised for better times. And then, we split up. Kochoo Da went on to form the first, founding line-up of Orient Express with Sumit, Dwai and Mainak in the fray.
Kochoo Da was not just our guru or mentor. He was a guiding force who always embraced all of us with that wide smile, spent hours listening to music with us, taught us life. His influence remains deep and eternal. His loss is a feeling we still have to cope with, and again, our only way is through music.
You Will Always Be With Me, for Kochoo Da. Because in 1994, the D For Brother album had a track I Will Always Be With You. It is our homage to the incredible man whose presence is felt every day in our music. For Kochoo Da, because we miss him so.
Sumit Bhattacharya: Guitars, composition
Mainak Nag Chowdhury: Fretless five-string bass
Arka Das: Drums
Dwaipayan Saha: Percussion
Rishiraj Basu: Videography
Shot live at rehearsals at Do Re Mi Fusion Studio and Jam Pad
@summitattempt
@bassbumpy
@arka.easyriders
@funkydwai
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