That's slang for jazz

Manu as in Manuel. That''s the name he goes by -- when he''s in Belgium or in India. Quite a coincidence for someone who is deeply influenced by desi culture. Take one look at his eating habits and you''ll know.
"It''s dal-rice for me. Always," smiles Manu Hermia of the band Slang. That''s when you realise his white kurta shirt isn''t an effort to fit in."I''ve been to India four times. For these guys, it''s their first visit," he says pointing to band members Francois Garny and Michel Seba.
Their music is a mix of jazz, rock and fusion. There''s the sax, flute, electric bass and djembe -- quite an unusual combination you''ll realise when you listen to the deep ethnic rhythms. The trio played at the Karnataka Golf Association and Guru Nanak Bhavan in an event organised by Essentially Metal.
"It was quite different from our other performances. Here, the audience was constantly moving around. We enjoyed it," says Manu, who is still raving about his Goa experience. "It''s like a mini Brazil. Of course, minus the football. The music education of people in India is very high. People applaud at certain moments, which others miss. They catch the finer notes."
Slang has been together for four years now. However, the trio have performed with others before they got together. Why the name Slang? "It''s the language of the street, it''s not very pure and that''s a little like our music. It means the living language and takes influences from the moment," adds Manu.
Back home in Belgium there are no fixed rehearsal dates, for they jam when they want. "World music is where we come from really. We have always seen each other in different musical contexts," says Francois. When they aren''t jamming, they''re at home making compositions, "because your own music is so close to you."
After Bangalore it''s Delhi and then Varanasi. "I want to take them there," says Manu, adding, "That''s authentic India."