How these Kolkata jam pads have become second homes for musicians

There was a time when rock bands had to turn down the volume while practising at their homes in the city. It was challenging to chase a sound at reduced dynamics with the drummer unable to chop in full blast at a residential neighbourhood.

Then, jam pads have stepped in with air-conditioned rooms, good gear and microphones to solve the problem. The surge happened in the mid-2000s, when music director Souvik ‘Savvy’ Gupta (who was associated with Insomnia and Crystal Grass) had Octaves in Salimpur, Sudipto Banerjee (former member of Insomnia and Cactus) started Loudhouse at Hazra Road, guitarist Nilanjan Mukherjee (former member of Lakkhichhara) set up the Verve Studio in Kasba, among others. The Garia area had Musebox, a popular pad during those days. However, they all shut shop in a few years, and there was a lull in between.

New players entered the market in the next decade, while pads like Soundcheck Productions, which started in 2009, continued their operations at a throwaway rate of Rs 100 per hour.

Cut to 2023, the jam-pad business is thriving in Kolkata with the cultural deluge post-pandemic. There are more concerts and live music at almost every pub, which in turn are bringing more musicians to the pads. The owners are brave enough to upgrade their equipment and plan newer outlets.

Caleidoscope in Rashbehari

The bigger room at Caleidoscope

Rashbehari More is now known for three things: apart from the landmark Kalighat Metro and Bachan’s Dhaba, Dulu da’s jam pad is a pinned location on Google Maps. Dipten Das, alias Dulu, the owner of the place, is a music lover, but could not pursue it. It pushed him to start Caleidoscope in 2012, so he stays connected to musicians.

The location is convenient for bands travelling across the city, as it is adjacent to the metro station. The property stands out from the rest as it offers two rooms where two bands can play simultaneously without disturbing each other due to the solid soundproofing. The musicians often bump into their colleagues from different bands and break into a conversation over a cigarette. They have even jammed to break the monotony of their routine rehearsals. “I wanted to set up a freethinking space for musicians. I was aware of the challenges musicians face in the city when the Rashbehari pad came up. Now, I have a new place in the Kasba area," Das tells My Kolkata.

Das is preparing to take the Kasba pad to greater heights by trying to set up a video corner for musicians. “If I can do a few shoots with musicians, it will be my way of supporting them,” says Das, who used to work in a private firm earlier. “I always wanted to listen to music or play the guitar, so my mind was always elsewhere while I was doing a regular job,” he adds.

Another reason behind the footfall at Dulu da’s pad is due to the availability of tea and snacks. He has an induction stove in his little glass room at the entrance, where he makes Maggi, chicken nuggets, omelettes, bread-butter, toast, tea and coffee. “If five or more musicians play for three hours, they need refreshments. And if they have to go looking for food, they may lose 20-odd minutes. I thought I could save their time,” says Das, whose pad is open till midnight.

For the love of his son

Soundcheck Productions in Bagha Jatin is turning fully digital

Tapan Chatterjee started Soundcheck in Bagha Jatin in 2009 to help his son practice drums. “My son, Sourav, is a drummer. I wanted him to practice and focus on his music as I always believed he would have a bright future if he stays connected to music. I still have kept the rate at Rs 100 per hour. I may incur losses since all the competitors in the market are charging more. But I don't see it that way at all. I want to help kids make good music,” says Chatterjee, who is on the verge of introducing PA's, a digital mixer, and in-ears for musicians to create a better rehearsal experience.

Digital pads usually charge between Rs 250-350, but Chatterjee will keep the new price within Rs 150. “I don’t want anyone to feel they can’t afford it. They will remember me as someone who helped. If musicians can adjust their mix to the digital mixer, their sound will stay balanced forever,” he adds.

The upgraded pad will offer recording facilities as well. One can record the session in a pen drive and play it back later. “It will be easier for bands to rectify their mistakes,” he says.

Chatterjee also acts as peacemaker among musicians. “There can be differences or fights in a team. They come to me for solutions. Many times, I have solved their problems and saved the band from breaking up," he says.

The digital system will come into action later in September, but people can also choose the earlier plan if they don’t feel comfortable with the new gadgets.

Opposite Purna Das Baul’s house

The Bunker Jam Studio in Dhakuria

Reportedly, Bob Dylan attended the wedding of Purna Das Baul's son, Dibyendu, at Dhakuria. If he was here now, he would have been all ears listening to bands playing his songs from the opposite building, where The Bunker Jam Studio occupies the ground floor.

The pad, owned by drummer Chirantan Ray, opened in 2015. “Many legendary musicians like Amyt Datta and Kartik Das Baul keep coming here. Many years ago, Delhi band The Superfuzz was here,” says Ray, who has been in this game for almost a decade.

Ray has made a solid contribution to the scene here by starting operations at a prime location. He keeps getting requests from musicians to operate beyond 10pm, but he is not after money. “I could have done it by charging more, as a night charge. It has crossed my mind, but it will not be possible for me to stay active and provide the service the bands would expect; like helping them balance the sound. It is important to take care of our health too,” he adds.

Among all the pads in south Kolkata, Soundcheck, Five Strings and Eyes and Mind Studio Studio stand out for their terrace. "A terrace is important. A lot of musicians have done live sessions from my terrace. There is a shade, one can sit down and relax," says Sarthok Bhattacharjee, who started Five Strings Studio at Naktala in 2021.

Orange Production in Santoshpur has a common sitting area, while Stalin’s Jampad in Bijoygarh offers a duplex building experience. Most of the pads, which are silently strengthening the rock music scene in the city, charge between Rs 125-200 per hour and one can contact them via their Google business page.