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Bamboo Shoots
Middlesex County College [Genre:Rock]
Members
Ankur
Percussion
Avir
vocals and guitar
Karl
bass and synths
Shiv
Drummer
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Welcome to the Bamboo Shoots BMOC page!
Winners of mtvU's Artist of the Year Award for Best Music on Campus, Bamboo Shoots performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and signed with Epic Records in 2007.
Be on the lookout later this summer when the band releases their new album, ARMOUR - in stores nationwide and on iTunes!
For more news & updates check www.myspace.com/bambooshoots
Bio
There’s something odd about Bamboo Shoots. Certainly a band of five brown-skinned boys whose collective faces look equally at home on a terrorist watchlist as any promotional poster is, well, unique. That four members are of Indian descent at a time when Indian culture is exploding globally is surely… noteworthy. “We gave up on fitting in a long time ago,” states singer/guitarist Avir Mitra with a shrug.
Mix innovative hooks and lean guitars with urban inspired beats and subtle world flavor, add a dash of Brooklyn cred but temper it with a lyrical openness – now you begin to get at the sound of Armour, their Epic Records debut. It’s future-feeling and it’s retro and it almost didn’t happen.
As the story goes, Avir was only days away from joining medical school when the band got a life-changing phone call: they had won MTVu’s Best Music on Campus contest and would be signing with Epic. They would perform on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in a few days. Welcome to Bamboo Shoots’ world.
Avir and bassist/vocalist Karl Sukhia began playing music together after bumping heads as kids in the Zoroastrian community to which their parents belonged. They recorded songs on an old PC with a pencil mic. It was several years before they met drummer Shiv Puri, a brilliant finance student who needed something more to crunch than numbers – Shiv soon found his salvation in drumming with the duo. At their first practice, friend of a friend Ankur Patel showed up with what was to become a key ingredient – an Indian folk drum called the dhol. They covered Hall and Oates. Ankur, an up-and-coming DJ, wove 808s and percussion into the mix and was in the band by day’s end. Finally, a chance meeting with guitarist Ahmed Mahmoud, son of an Egyptian violin virtuoso, sealed the lineup.
Fast-forward through the time spent lugging gear, sleeping on floors and scrounging cash for studio time. It’s 2008 and the band is signed and ready to record. They’ve toured with Plain White T’s, rocked shows with Soulja Boy, locked in a Gibson sponsorship and just finished a national ad campaign with Virgin. Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads and Modern Lovers) was the first to see Bamboo Shoots’ potential and signed on as producer.
“Talking Heads’ style stemmed from rhythm – we saw a common thread there,” explains Avir. “Jerry dusted off old Heads’ synths and guitars that hadn’t been touched in years,” adds Karl. “Avir played most of the album on the same Strat that was used on Stop Making Sense.”
The band proceeded to cold call their favorite mixer, UK-based Mark “Spike” Stent. His familiarity with both pop (Madonna, Beyonce, U2) and indie (MIA, Arcade Fire, CSS) matched perfectly with the band’s vision. Despite more lucrative offers, Spike heard something in the tracks and eagerly signed on to mix. "Everyone in the studio was curious to see who this baby band was that Spike had chosen to work with," notes Shiv.
The result, Armour, is a debut that effortlessly sounds unlike any of its peers. “Hey Girl,” a throwback to Prince’s “Controversy,” sets the tone with a sing-along verse and a bassline that stabs you over and over. From there, the band never loses their laser-like focus on hooks, beats and vibe. “Where the Ocean Meets the Road” feels like it should have been on the Days of Thunder Soundtrack. You would focus on the retro cool, but you are too busy humming it in your head. Ballads like “Whenever You’re Around” conjure up comparisons to Justin Timberlake’s solo work, until of course a shrieking guitar comes in and throws off the entire comparison. Tracks like “Milk, Satin & Silk” get the hipsters blogging, while “Wrong All Along” cuts to the angsty chase and gets the teens bopping. Bamboo Shoots is equal parts Brooklyn and suburban New Jersey, and Armour reflects it.
Still, it’s hard to describe the reaction Bamboo Shoots gets at their live shows, where sets become excuses for all-night dance parties. Things just connect. A recent media-frenzied tour of India only fuels suspicion that the appeal of Bamboo Shoots could be exceptionally broad. Indeed, there is something unpredictably odd going on here. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Discography
Armour (Epic Records / late Summer 2009)
Music for Cotillions (self-released mixtape / March 2009)
Hey Girl (7inch vinyl / self-released / November 2006)
Blue EP (self-released / May 2006)
Research and Development EP (self-released / April 2004)
Influences
Talking Heads, Michael Jackson, INXS, Jay-Z, Rage Against the Machine
Sounds Like
Daft Punk meets Alice in Chains.
Graceland in Space.
The Police produced by Timbaland.
LeVar Burton.
Our mtvU.com Playlists
Best Music on Campus
Artists we like
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Artists We Like
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Been a while..
Shiv - 5/21/09 3:46 PM
Hello BMOC!
t's certainly been a while since we updated this page! For more regular updates check out our blog at http://bambooshootsband.blogspot.com/.
Right now we're gearing up for a nationwide summer tour and plan on releasing our debut album with Epic Records at the end of the summer. The 11-track CD is called ARMOUR and was recorded and produced in California by Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads.
We also just got back from our first international tour which included stops in 5 cities across India....spent a lot of time getting there and around the country in an assortment of planes, trains and automobiles. We can't wait to go back...ooooh the food...the food!!!
For all you graduating this year, CONGRATULATIONS! And those of you coming back to college in the fall - be sure to pick up a copy of our album, ARMOUR, which will be out by then - everywhere.
See you on tour this summer!
Studio Updates
Ankur - 12/6/07 4:07 PM
It's been a while but just wanted to let everyone know were having a great and productive time here in the bay area of CA...recording our first studio album! jerry harrison (live, no doubt, violent femmes, o.a.r) is producing. we will probably be out here until the end of dec. hopefully we'll have some more time to fill you in and post some pics. til then...Check out this short clip from the mtvU show, The Freshman! Kim interviewed us about our time here in the studio in Sausalito, Ca.
The filming is by Kurt Nishimura, a fellow mtvU winner from the Best Film on Campus site. Here's to mtvU connections!
http://www.mtvu.com/video/?id=1575079&vid=191471
May 14...
Ankur - 5/16/07 2:41 PM
I'm writing this on Friday - 3 days before Monday, so if you're reading this, that means we actually played Conan and didn't go down in flames. A thought that, right now, seems beyond ridiculous. Last Monday we played a cafeteria serving pasta with alfredo sauce.
Don't get me wrong, we've been a band for a long time, played a million shows and made friends all over the place. But we're still just everyday dudes, we don't have a publicist, we don't have a stylist, or even a manager. No one can believe this is happening.
So hi - if you're into our music, we're psyched to have you on board. Spread the word. If you want to get an idea of where we were at about a year ago, you can buy the Blue EP (www.cdbaby.com/bambooshoots2). If you want to get an idea of where we were in 2004, you can get the Research and Development EP (www.cdbaby.com/bambooshoots). As for where we are now... you can get the 7" for a taste (if you have a record player), but mostly you're going to have to wait till our album is ready.
Hopefully we'll be visiting your town soon, so keep in touch and come say hi when we get there.
like OMG,
Bamboo Shoots
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Message Board
Leave a Comment:
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Brandon
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Posted: 3/2 10:22 PM
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You's guys got an interesting style. i dig the last part of hey girl, that's hot.
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Angela
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Posted: 3/28 4:40 PM
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This is my favorite band! You have to listen to thier song, "Hey Girl." It's so good.
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mark
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Posted: 3/30 8:9 PM
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This is my favorite band ever, I signed up just to say that! Go shoots!!
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Emily
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Posted: 4/2 3:44 PM
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I love Bamboo Shoots!!!You guys deserve to make the Top 15...and the grand prize. duH!
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Suzanne
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Posted: 4/2 3:46 PM
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I heart Bamboo Shoots.
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Heather
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Posted: 4/2 3:48 PM
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Saw your message to vote, so of course I wanted to drop some support. These guys rock.
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steve
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Posted: 4/6 12:2 PM
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bamboo shoots
i love
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Jezeu
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Posted: 4/6 12:13 PM
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Hey guys.. goodluck with the contest..
SiGH (Striving in Greater Hopes.
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Steph
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Posted: 4/9 2:47 PM
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When a multitude of genuine emotion rocks my ears that equals talent…
BAMBOO SHOOTS ROCK MY WORLD!!!
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Amanda
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Posted: 4/9 11:9 PM
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Hey Girl! Didn't I hear that on a RealWorld commercial? LOVE IT.
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Deena
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Posted: 4/10 2:36 PM
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This band is effin' sweet and everyone should check out their music!
Love you guys.
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Lauren
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Posted: 4/10 3:55 PM
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You know how to take it to 11...and i dig it!
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Rupal
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Posted: 4/13 3:48 PM
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Good luck in the contest Bamboo Shoots! You guys deserve to go all the way, win the whole thing! Plus you're HAWT.
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Mario
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Posted: 4/21 12:52 PM
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hey,
I saw yous guys at M.C.C. last nite yous guys were really good! Good luck = ]
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Chris
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Posted: 5/2 12:5 PM
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hell yeah! win that s**t, the 'Shoots!
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John
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Posted: 5/2 9:14 PM
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good luck fellas - congrats on top 5
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Chris
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Posted: 5/3 1:27 PM
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DUDES! you NEED to get on Conan!! That would be the shiz!
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I=mc2
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Posted: 5/15 1:24 AM
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Whats up fella's congrats on your achievement for artist of the year!! I=mc2 wishes you the best, good luck
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Bega
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Posted: 5/17 10:59 AM
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Just wanted to say "Congrats" to you guys. I heard only one song on Conan and loved it! I only predict good for you.
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I=mc2
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Posted: 5/22 1:8 PM
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Yeah man a show would be great, we are both signed artists under Sony now so that could be feasable in the future sometime. I am really feelin your song "The World is Beautiful" right now, I was wondering if you fellas would be open to do some sort of remix, Bamboo Shoots featuring I=mc2, we would just put a flow in there somewheres basically not take any of your lyrics out, I feel it would be a fantastic collaboration and something to build a positive relationship between us. Feelin the music fellas get at me, illusion3rdeye@yahoo.com
illu
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Ivan
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Posted: 6/1 10:48 AM
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MAD PROUD Shiv! Y'all boyz ROCKED THE GALAPAGOS last night! Loved the incredible energy, sound & showmanship!
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Andrew
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Posted: 6/5 5:44 PM
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Hey congrats on your success guys. You definitely have a unique sound. Can't wait to hear what you do with major label cash!
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Brian
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Posted: 7/3 9:35 AM
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Awesome sound, never heard of you all before now. Hope you tour in Kansas sometime in the future, I need to feel the real vibe! Best of luck!
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Dan
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Posted: 9/19 6:44 PM
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Whats up fellas?! hows everything going, havent seen you since the 6 flags show! you guys rocked! hope all is well, ttysoon
-Dan
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I=mc2
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Posted: 12/29 11:27 AM
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guys take the last video clip out, the first thing it shows is people walking away,, NO ONE WALKS OUT ON THE SHOOTS!!
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Eric
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Posted: 1/28 6:0 PM
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you guys still rock. keep it coming.
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Scott
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Posted: 2/4 6:38 PM
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Great songs! Great vocals! Great production! Great band! We'd love to gig with you in LA or San Diego, if you guys get out to Cali!!!
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noe
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Posted: 1/23 9:24 PM
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say hello to goodbye
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