Retro rocket takes off from Hill Road today

Mocha Mojo, a Bandra watering hole goes retro every Thursday, with requests, informal chats about the artiste paid tribute to, and a trip down memory lane

'Well, my friends are gone and my hair is grey; I ache in the places where I used to play.' Not the kind of lyrics one usually associates with Bandra's Mocha Mojo. And yet, it's precisely what you're going to hear if you decide to step in on September 10 night of the first Leonard Cohen tribute.

It's not an exceptional idea, of course, the Tribute Band night. What makes this one different though, is its choice of artistes. "We knew we wanted tribute bands," says Sameer Malhotra, a.k.a. Daddy the guy behind, um, Daddy's Retro Rocket night at the suburban watering hole. "That music goes with our ambience, and makes for easy listening because customers know the lyrics. At the same time, we wanted singer-songwriters who needed to be heard. My first choice was Cohen, because I love his work."

Garreth D'mello, voice of Dischordian the band actually playing the covers is as big a fan of the Canadian singer-poet. "I prefer doing original material," he says, "but I have nothing against covers. I agreed to this primarily because I love Cohen too, and we get a chance to reinterpret the songs rather than merely replicate the original arrangements."

So, here's what you get: Retro Rocket night every Thursday, with requests, informal chats about the artiste paid tribute to, and a fairly interesting trip down memory lane guaranteed. Will the regulars bite? Jasbir Bolar, Director, Four Plus Advertising, intends to. "I like the idea," he says. "I'm always happy to support a tribute band, because doing a cover is a lot harder than most people think it is. And if these musicians can reinterpret a classic well, I'm definitely going back."

As for the singer in the spotlight, Garreth D'mello doesn't mind being invited to another performance in future, assuming this one goes off as planned. "Most tribute nights can't think beyond bands like Deep Purple," he points out, "but I'd love to take a crack at Bob Dylan." He just might too, if Daddy has his way. "We intend to follow our Cohen tribute with bands covering Janis Joplin and The Eagles," he says. "Entry is free, because we're simply hoping to create a more democratic space."

D'mello is excited about a few covers that are, apparently, "coming off very well." He rattles off the tracks Avalanche, Suzanne and Dance Me To The End of Love. Quite possibly a brave man, he also intends to pull off Cohen's Hallelujah only the Jeff Buckley version. Now, if none of these titles sound familiar, you know where they'll soon be played.

On: Every Thursday starting today
At: Mocha Mojo, Classic Corner Building, next to Holy Family Hospital, Hill Road, Bandra (W). From 9 pm to 12 am
Call: 26421484

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels