Making waves

Behold! Here comes Behold the Locus (BLT). The four-member band, Behold the Locus is a collective of Dubai-based musicians dabbling with acoustic and an alternative rock sound. The band, however, does not subscribe to a particular genre and label.

Like most upcoming musicians in this part of the world, Members of ‘Locus’ (Latin for Place) spend the day as ‘average Joes’ with day jobs and turn into mean guitar sensations at night. The current line-up includes Ricardo Gordon (Vocals) Alistair Terry (Bass Guitar) Clifford Siqueira (Drums) and Martin. But what sets the band apart is that they claim to be the first English-singing band to produce and release a music video titled ‘Shepherd’ in Dubai. Shepherd is the main song in the band’s second album called Amplifier which features eight new tracks, including two remixes.

“The song Shepherd, the background score to our music video, was written and produced in memory of a dear friend of ours who passed away in a tragic diving accident in Dubai,” said Martin. “I didn’t plan to write a song for him, but the core of the song is the guitar intro.

When I began working on the song, this guy came into my mind. The song is written in his memory and as a comfort to his wife. It’s a complicated sort of song and it is for anyone who has lost a loved one in Dubai,” added Martin.

BTL started with guitarist and songwriter Fabian Martin playing solo at the Central Perk Acoustic jams organised by Dubai Lime. With the progress of the music scene, venues got bigger and the need to form a band was felt. Fabian was introduced to The Beatles as a kid and formed his first band at the age of 13 playing Punk versions of classic Beatles tunes; he started BTL as a solo project in 2006 after many failed attempts to form a band in Dubai.

Alistair’s musical journey began when he picked up the guitar at the age of 15. His influence includes Jaco Pastorius, Sting, Billy Sheehan and Abraham Laboriel and prefers playing a five string over a four-string bass.

Adding an eccelctic sound to the band is South African national Ricardo Gordon. After doing his fair share of cover band gigs his passion lies in writing, arranging and performing original music. He cites Brian McKnight, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as some of his main influences. Martin added: “Our drummer Clifford cherishes the memory of playing in a band that opened for Deep Purple in his hometown of Goa, India.

He used to help out BTL at sound checks when their drummer could not make it and impressed the band so much that they asked him to join the ranks. He also doubles as a sound engineer when needed.”

The song will officially be featured on Dubai One TV on Friday, October 5 on the show called ‘That’s Entertainment’. Also, check out BLT on facebook.com/Behold.The.Locus

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE