Today we would like to share with you, an amazing and extraordinary Dire Straits cover. Namely, Luke Jordan and Sumith Ramachandran made an absolutely pleasure with collaboration from Barnard Castle, UK, albeit 5000 miles away.
This cover version of the song “Romeo and Juliet” it’s been shot by two amazing musicians 5000 miles apart. Video is uploaded on YouTube on May 31, 2020. It’s a full acoustic and electric version of the song in a length of around 6-minutes.
The good thing is that we have asked some questions Luke and Sumith and they gave us interesting answers. For all Dire Straits fans, they were happy to share some thoughts. Read the full interview below and listen to their cover version.
Questions & Answers with Luke and Sumith
How old are you, where do you live and where are you from?
Sumith: “I’m from a town called Palakkad in Kerala, India. After university, I moved East to Kolkata which has been my home for 28 years now. I celebrated my 50th birthday during the lockdown!”
Tell us more about your professional music career. How everything has started?
Sumith: “I’ve been a professional musician since I was 9 years old. I started out playing local gigs in my village and it’s surroundings. I played right through school and university and then arrived in Kolkata to perform with a host of bands. So, yes, music was always a natural career choice for me.”
“I got my first guitar at eight. Even though my brother was my first teacher, I figured out the rest on my own. It wasn’t easy – where I was from. No one spoke English or even listened to English music. There was no internet, no music schools. A few friends and relatives returning from the West were kind enough to bring me ‘international’ releases – that was my lifeline. I’m completely self-taught.”
How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Sumith: “That’s easy. I’m a full-time professional musician – have been since I was 9 years old! We’re musical family, so no complaints there. It’s all worked out brilliantly.”
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Sumith: “Allan Holdsworth, Kraftwerk, Mark Knofler, Tal Farlow, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker.”
About Dire Straits, when was the first time when you listened to a song from them, which song was that, and when was the first cover version that you have made from them?
Sumith: “It was 1986/87, I think. ‘Sultans of Swing’. I was in school in Kerala, but performed gigs with university bands. We covered this track for one of our early gigs.”
Which are your favourite classic songs from Dire Straits?
Sumith: “There are too many. ‘Telegraph Road,’ ‘Your Latest Trick,’ ‘The Man’s Too Strong,’ ‘Down to The Waterline,’ ‘Lions,’ ‘Wild West End,’ are some of those songs.”
Do you enjoy listening to music from Dire Straits?
Sumith: “Always, or else I’d hardly spend time covering so so so many of them. I made too many covers from them. But if I must choose one song from Dire Straits, that would be “Ride Across the River.”
What motivates you to continue with good vibes and positive energy in life? What is your motto?
Sumith: “Play great music. Write meaningful music. Perform good karma. Think happy thoughts. The rest is bound to follow.”
Any advice to share with the musicians who are beginners?
Sumith: “Focus on yourself. Imagine that you’re at home. Alone. Just you and your instrument. Easier said than done, I know, but with a little effort, it actually works.”
And for the end can you tell something to all fans who read the Dire Straits Blog?
Sumith: “I’ll forever be thankful to Dire Straits, along with a whole host of others I greatly admire. For shaping my style of playing over the years. The result of the amalgamation of these varied forms has helped me find my own voice. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”
Facebook Comments