Sunshine on the mic: Joel and Desiree to introduce their original song at a gig tonight

Desiree Saldanha and Joel Padikkal at an outdoor jam session

When a boy and girl are regularly spotted together at cafés, parties or perhaps walking down any of the city's sea-facing promenades, it is assumed that they are a couple. But the word, couple, has many connotations -- they can be the best of friends or in this case, musicians who share a common dream. Taking a cue out of the Joan Baez-Bob Dylan catalogue, Joel Padikkal (22) and Desiree Saldanha (21) -- former colleagues in an event management firm -- decided to make music as Joel & Desiree. No, not Folk or Country, their eyes are set on Jazz and RnB. Besides renditions of old classics, the duo will also introduce their original song, Sunshine, at a gig tonight.

Joel Padikkal

"We have been friends for long. Though we are different, we have similar interests in music. We help each other with individual energies," says Saldanha, who accepts that her influences are all over the place. "But that is a good thing, I can blend many genres. I have grown up to Amy Winehouse, Frank Sinatra and Janis Joplin. I also listen to a lot of Hip-Hop," she adds.

Joel, who is also the lead vocalist of the Blues Rock group, The Tripp, is kicked to hear the feedback of their rearranged covers and the new original. "Sunshine is a song about friendship," he smiles, adding, "But we have an interesting cover list ranging from Sinatra to Rihanna." He had to alter chords and redesign the songs to ensure parity with their core sound.

Desiree Saldanha

The sudden singer-songwriter boom in the metropolis is one of the reasons for their alliance. "It probably brings out the best out of everyone. Keeping competition apart, I think everybody has their own style," they reason.

Nowadays, an EP or an album acts as a catalyst in bagging gigs but the duo, still new on the scene, have a different take. "When we did our first gig, we never had an original. It is true that having more original content is always better but that shouldn't be the sole criteria for recognising talent in the industry. Even a cover can sound cool," says Joel. Keegan Moraes, the guitarist of The Tripp, will join the duo for a few songs at tonight's gig.

Keegan Moraes

On Tonight, 10 pm
At Tuning Fork, 1st floor, Hotel Uncontinental, 3rd Road, Khar (W).
Call 9833358490
Cost Rs550