Svend Lerche loves to play in India

Drummer of The Daylights, Svend Lerche, who was in India to attend Katy Perry’s wedding, tells TOI that he has learnt tabla and would love to be back to travel around the country
It’s been just six years, but The Daylights boasts of a tremendous fan following in LA, has already opened big acts, cut an album and toured with OneRepublic and Katy Perry. How does it feel?
Music is everything to me.It feels amazing to be able to create and perform something so meaningful everyday. We are currently on tour throughout the US, playing live shows every night in some of the most beautiful theatres there.
While brothers Ricky and Ran Jackson provided the group’s foundation, you joined the lineup several months later to replace the departing Adam Farley. Wasn’t it difficult coping with the music or was it your liking for The Daylights’ brand of music that made you join the group?
I joined The Daylights four years ago after hearing some of the already recorded material. I loved the songs and to me, it’s all about the songs so it was easy to join forces and play together. It is so great to be in a band that writes and creates together. It allows me not only to lay down the beat but also be creative and passionate about everything we do musically.
Your self-titled album, “The Daylights”, features the first single “Rogue Machine”, which has already made its way into the Hot AC Top 50 charts. Securing a Top 50 record on Hot AC without a label must have been a difficult format to crack?
As much as we are an indie band in a sense, we still have a team behind us that works just as hard as we do. Including both management, agent and a placement company for film and TV. Our music is alternative and meaningful but with very singable melodies and I think the Hot AC as well the alternative radio format is great for The Daylights. It’s amazing to have songs on the radio and the more people that hears about our music, the better.
Why do you call yourself an indie rock band?
We are only indie because of the fact that we have our own label. Nothing else is indie about us. We do get to create freely, write and record the songs we want to. It is The Daylights all the way.
Your music is often compared to that of U2. How different is The Daylights?
Our music is inspired by both European and American influences but, I think, when people say U2, it’s just a big complement in many ways. We sound very different and like to create without any boundaries. The song never has to sound a certain way. We let it take us where it needs to go, work on it until it’s right.
You were a direct support for Katy Perry’s sold-out American tour, after she was quoted as “wanting to bring one of her favorite bands on her first-ever headlining tour.” How has the association with Katy Perry been?
I think Katy wanted to add a rock element to her tour. It was a great tour for us to be on. She was the newest thing around, just exploding all over the world and it was both fun and a great way to meet new fans.
You recently made it to India to witness Katy’s wedding. How was the experience?
I can’t divulge details of the wedding.
What was the best part of your stay in India?
I have always wanted to go to India and was really excited to have the opportunity. I wanted to experience as much of the culture as I could in the short time I was there. I travelled everyday. Saw villages, city markets, temples and talked to as many people as I could. It was great and I would love to come back and travel more around India.
Ever thought of coming to India on a tour?
Absolutely, I would love to play in India
Did you like Indian food? What is that you enjoyed the most?
I love Indian food. I even cook Indian food at home all the time. I bought a lot of spices, so I am all set to cook some very spicy curry dishes for a while.
You must have experienced a bit of Rajasthani music. But beyond that have you heard of Indian music or musicians?
I have heard Indian music and even studied tabla drum technique a bit. I find it very interesting and inspiring. I would love to collaborate or at least incorporate that element someday.
You are dubbed as the coolest Danish ever...
Ha ha, well, I would have to say there is far too many other cool Danes to even
mention.
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