Monday, June 16, 2008

Hindu Kush signs with Flower Records

Flower Records is proud to announce the signing of rock band Hindu Kush with the release of their new single and music video “Blood For Oil”, produced by renowned producer Greg Penny(Elton John, k.d. lang).


The slow strum of Pablo Esquer’s guitar mirrors the melodically uncanny voice of lead singer Eli Behar to introduce Hindu Kush’s new release, “Blood for Oil”, a politically charged melancholic elegy to the war in Iraq. After rating above Wyclef Jean and The Eagles to garner a second place spot in The Huffington Post’s review of the “Top Five Buzzworthy Green Musicians”, the band, now less than two years running, feels ready to make their world debut. “Blood For Oil” sets the group up for its first step into the spotlight, but not its most definitive one says Behar.


The eighteen-year-old lead singer thinks that the band is finally discovering its sound which he says looks very different than the new single. Still, despite what the group sees as a departure in this new track, “Blood for Oil” shows a musical maturity that’s rare to find in bands this young.



This will probably be Hindu Kush’s only political song says Behar, but who can blame them. The song in a little more than five minutes sums up the fears and sorrows of life under the guise of a deceptive administration and a horrifying six-year war.


The predominantly black and white music video, released with the “Blood for Oil” single, portrays the band members recording the song in the studio. Sporadic crimson splotches interrupt the mute atmosphere of the recording session and prepare the viewer for a thought provoking experience.


As Eli Behar’s voice sways to the steady drum and acoustic guitar, the video confronts the viewer’s conscience with images of an angry Uncle Sam, guilt ridden government officials, and the bloody “collateral” reality of war. Behar and his group never look at the camera, but still manage to point a heavy convicting finger at the viewer. The passionate lyrics challenge listeners to make a change and become more proactive citizens. This first and only political song for Hindu Kush captures the timeliness of its era in simple lyrics with powerful implications.


The song ends with a physical manifestation of the band’s message spelled out in big red lettering. The final caption “Vote” confronts the viewer with a new moral imperative and gives him/her a tangible way to create change.


Following the release of the music video and single, Hindu Kush now turns its attention toward producing its first LP. After a lot of experimentation the band senses that it is finally starting to synthesize its different musical styles. The independent contributions of the band’s four members now weave more fluidly into one another.


Lead singer and guitarist Behar sees himself as the experimental element, and likens his riffs to bands like Black Sabbath with their darker heavier style. Bassist Nathaniel Woods becomes the counterweight Behar’s weighty sound with his pop-like bass lines, similar to those of sixties classic rock bands. The third member, Pablo Esquer, brings a unique accoutrement to the band with his violin, but makes an even greater impact with his classical music training. Behar believes Pablo has improved the band’s melodic sound and made them a little more musically organized. The final member, drummer Logan Hugueny Clark with his exploratory drum style adds the last touch to the band’s genius.


Behar explains that this album will take the group in a new direction that will be different than before and better than anything Hindu Kush has done to date.


http://www.myspace.com/hindukushojai

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