New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Between jazz saxophone transcriptions and chemical engineering problem sets, Siddhu Anandalingam decided that the only way he had time to explore his musical interests would be to combine his varied musical tastes - thus Semaphore was born. Drawing from the musicality and social commentary of artists like Pink Floyd, Tycho, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Smashing Pumpkins, M83, and Tigran Hamasyan, Semaphore's music is intricate, lush, and hard to pin down to any one genre. Check it out and you will hear a combination of all the best parts of 90s grunge with floaty shoe-gaze vocals, delayed guitar effects, glued together with subtle jazz chord voicings and great production.
After graduating from Columbia University in 2015 with a minor in music, Siddhu moved back home to the suburbs of DC, where he spent the year focusing on writing music, and getting involved in the DC music scene. Upon returning to Brooklyn in mid-2016, Siddhu quickly found the correct musicians for the task of bringing Semaphore's music to life. At a 2016 Dillinger Escape Plan show, Siddhu recognized Emmett Ceglia while Emmett was crowdsurfing, and remembered him as a friend of a friend who was a fantastic drummer. After connecting with Emmett, he recommended Jay Kohler as a virtuosic math-core guitarist/composer who brought sensitivity and musicality to all projects he was associated with. A couple of months later, Siddhu and Jay met Niko Hasapopoulos while waiting in line to hear Ben Weinman (from Dillinger) give a talk about the music industry. While Niko was just a college student at the time, his excitement and energy was infectious, and he soon signed on as Semaphore's permanent bassist.
Sometimes sweet, sometimes bombastic, but always entertaining, Semaphore excels at creating an enveloping experience, whether live or through headphones!
WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING...
"Semaphore winds up on tight Bloc Party-esque rhythms as Anandalingam's vocal and driving guitars push the action towards a delightful pre-outro bridge where dreamy sounds contrast with the whirring pace." - Speak Into My Good Eye
"...flirts between alt-rock and indie pop, with the guitars churning out great melody and the vocals remaining catchy and listenable throughout." - The AU Review
"...the 90s slacker pop approach that Semaphore employees to heavy extents that achieve a kind of effect that feels like falling face first into the What's Up Matador compilations that were the audio bible for many a bedroom pop believer." - Impose Magazine
