Khiyo ( bn, ক্ষ) are an English fusion band of British and Bengali descent formed in London, England in 2007. The three core members of Khiyo are

Sohini Alam Sohini Alam ( bn, সোহিনী আলম) is a British singer of Bangladeshi descent who sings in the bands Khiyo, Lokkhi Terra, and GRRRL. She has performed internationally on stage, radio, and television and worked on music for dance, ...

on vocals,

Oliver Weeks Oliver Weeks (born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire) is an English composer, arranger, and guitarist. Education Weeks grew up in Frome, Somerset, and developed an early interest in classical music and '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll. He attended Frome ...

on guitar and piano, and Ben Heartland on bass.

History

Khiyo is named after a letter of the

Bengali alphabet The Bengali script or Bangla alphabet ( bn, বাংলা বর্ণমালা, ''Bangla bôrṇômala'') is the alphabet used to write the Bengali language based on the Bengali-Assamese script, and has historically been used to w ...

, the 'Khiyo'. It is a unique letter that, whilst being a combination of two letters, has an identity of its own. The name reflects the band's members drawing on different musical backgrounds, amalgamating into a singularly identifiable sound. Alam met Weeks in 2007 when she was understudy for the Bengali singer

Mousumi Bhowmik Moushumi Bhowmik (born 29 December 1964) is an Indian singer-songwriter, writer and researcher based in Kolkata, she is known to perform Bengali folk songs, as well as her own compositions. She has released four albums― ''Tumio Chil Hao'' (19 ...

, with whom Weeks was working in the band Parapar. They later brought in Weeks' friend Heartland, who he knew from studying together at

Cambridge University , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

Style

The band combines and mixes interpretations of traditional Bangladeshi songs with original modern arrangements. They draw influence from classical, rock, jazz, blues,

Nazrul Sangeet Nazrul Sangeet ( bn, নজরুল সঙ্গীত), also Nazrul Geeti ( bn, নজরুল গীতি; ), refers to the songs written and composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh. Nazrul Geeti incorporate revolut ...

Rabindra Sangeet ''Rabindra Sangeet'' ( bn, রবীন্দ্র সঙ্গীত; ), also known as Tagore Songs, are songs from the Indian subcontinent written and composed by the Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the 1913 Nobel Prize in Li ...

, Bengali folk and

Indian classical Indian classical music is the classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It has two major traditions: the North Indian classical music known as '' Hindustani'' and the South Indian expression known as '' Carnatic''. These traditions were not ...

Recording and performances

In December 2012, Khiyo released the music video for its version of

Rabindranath Tagore Rabindranath Tagore (; bn, রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He resh ...

's song " Amar Sonar Bangla". In September 2013, they headlined at the Purcell Room as part of the

Southbank Centre Southbank Centre is a complex of artistic venues in London, England, on the South Bank of the River Thames (between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Bridge). It comprises three main performance venues (the Royal Festival Hall including the Nat ...

's Alchemy festival. In August 2014, the band self-released their

Khiyo Khiyo ( bn, ক্ষ) are an English fusion band of British and Bengali descent formed in London, England in 2007. The three core members of Khiyo are Sohini Alam on vocals, Oliver Weeks on guitar and piano, and Ben Heartland on bass. Histor ...

, self-titled debut album with a launch at the Forge in

Camden Town Camden Town (), often shortened to Camden, is a district of northwest London, England, north of Charing Cross. Historically in Middlesex, it is the administrative centre of the London Borough of Camden, and identified in the London Plan as o ...

, London. The album (which was recorded over seven years) combines grungy rhythm-section and acoustic guitars to classic Bangladeshi melodies. In September of the same year, they performed songs from their album live on BBC Asian Network, hosted by Nadia Ali. In August 2015, the album was re-launched by ARC Music.

Discography

Albums

References

External links

* * * * * Musical groups established in 2007 2007 establishments in England Living people English people of Bangladeshi descent English folk musical groups Musical groups from London Year of birth missing (living people) {{England-band-stub bn:ক্ষ