Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo Shoots played their first show at Pianos in New York City in 2004, however most of the members were friends prior to being in the band. Avir and Karl met as young children through the Zoroastrian community in Southern New Jersey (Karl’s parents and Avir’s mother are of Parsi heritage). When Avir was 12, he got a guitar and within two years Karl got a guitar and the two began playing music together. They began writing songs together soon after.{{cite web|author=Ranjit Souri |url=http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=78936d115417ba324dfd57967b99de1a&this_category_id= |title=A Quintet that Rocks |publisher=India Currents |date=September 16, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120527/http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=78936d115417ba324dfd57967b99de1a |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}

Avir met Shiv while spending the night at a mutual friend’s dorm in New York University. Shiv, a student in the Stern School of Business, had already heard some songs Avir had made and the two became friends. Avir, Karl and Shiv began playing house parties and writing informally under the moniker Bojangles. Ankur’s brother was a friend of Avir and introduced Ankur to the group at an early practice. Ankur reportedly began playing a dhol over their songs and became a band member that day.{{cite web |last=Arneja |first=Pauleen |url=http://www.desiclub.com/desimusic/desimusic_features/music_article.cfm?id=147 |title=Bamboo Shoots – Passion Through Sound |publisher=Desiclub.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930102907/http://www.desiclub.com/desimusic/desimusic_features/music_article.cfm?id=147 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ugrooveonline.com/?page=articles&count=2 |title=www.ugrooveonline.com |publisher=ugrooveonline.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007014517/http://www.ugrooveonline.com/?page=articles&count=2 |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

In late 2006 Bamboo Shoots casually signed up for the mtvU Best Music on Campus contest. They soon forgot about it. In March 2007 they were informed that they had made it to the top 50 out of a pool of thousands of bands. Within a few months they were voted into the top 15, then the top 5. Friends and fans from all over the world helped propel the band forward with their votes. The band were surprised when an MTVu camera crew ambushed them at their friend’s apartment in Crown Heights Brooklyn and informed them that they had indeed won the contest. They were informed that they would be playing live on Late Night with Conan O’Brien within a few days.{{cite web|url=http://www.bestfilmoncampus.com/updates/ |title=mtvU's Best Film on Campus – News |publisher=Bestfilmoncampus.com |date=December 13, 2005 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

Bamboo Shoots signed to Epic Records in the summer of 2007.{{cite web|url=http://clubjam.jammag.com/profile/BambooShoots |title=Bamboo Shoots's Page – ClubJAM |publisher=Clubjam.jammag.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006223720/http://clubjam.jammag.com/profile/BambooShoots |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}

In October 2007 Bamboo Shoots left New York for Sausalito, CA where they began working with producer Jerry Harrison from Talking Heads on their Epic Records debut. ET Thorngren and Matt Cohen engineered. Recording was completed in March 2008. The album was mixed from May–June at Chalice Studios in Los Angeles by Mark "Spike" Stent{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.jammag.com/rock/show_rock.php?article_id=129 |title=JAM :: The Complete Youth Career n Fun Site |publisher=Jammag.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928050254/http://www.jammag.com/rock/show_rock.php?article_id=129 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }} and mastered by Brian Gardner. The album, titled Armour, was released September, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://concretejungleclothing.com/blog/?p=285 |title=Bamboo Shoots | The Official Blog of Concrete Jungle |publisher=Concretejungleclothing.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222124148/http://concretejungleclothing.com/blog/?p=285 |archive-date=February 22, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://dancejam.com/videos/1054590135-bamboo-shoots-studio-footage |title="Bamboo Shoots Studio Footage" video at |publisher=Dancejam.com |date=August 19, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006223720/http://dancejam.com/videos/1054590135-bamboo-shoots-studio-footage |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}

On March 24, 2009, Bamboo Shoots announced their first tour of India with stops in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Bangalore.{{cite web|author=wh |url=http://www.yellowbuzz.org/2009/03/bamboo-shoots-going-on-india-tour.html |title=asian american music blog: Bamboo Shoots Going on India Tour |publisher=YellowBuzz |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

Bamboo Shoots performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on May 14, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.paulkorda.com/news/2007/05/mtvu-epic-records-college-students.html |title=International Entertainment News: mtvU, Epic records & College Students Crown Bamboo Shoots 2007 College 'Artist of the Year' |publisher=Paulkorda.com |date=May 15, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929112724/http://www.paulkorda.com/news/2007/05/mtvu-epic-records-college-students.html |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }} They have since toured with Plain White T’s, All Time Low, 3OH!3, Secondhand Serenade, and Tyga through MTVu’s summer concert series.{{cite web|url=http://www.sixflags.com/national/footerNav/news_2008mtvU.aspx |access-date=March 24, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204011923/http://www.sixflags.com/national/footerNav/news_2008mtvU.aspx |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |title=MtvU Video Music Awards Tour: Six Flags }}[http://atlsource.net/2008/07/04/mtvu-video-music-awards-tour-at-six-flags/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105232624/http://atlsource.net/2008/07/04/mtvu-video-music-awards-tour-at-six-flags/ |date=January 5, 2009 }} Bamboo Shoots has also performed with acts such as The Donnas, The Fashion, Soulja Boy, Gift of Gab, The White Tie Affair, Ordinary Boys, 22-20s, Hail Social, Illinois, Karsh Kale and Chamillionaire.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Grant |url=http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/10/virgin-americas-los-angeles-seattle-launch-party/ |title=Virgin America's Los Angeles – Seattle launch party |publisher=Gadling.com |date=April 10, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.virginamerica.com/va/press/2008/Apr/KicksOff-Service-SFO-SEA.html |title=Press Releases |publisher=Virgin America |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.huntington-news.com/2.6297/1.1252083-1.1252083 |access-date=March 24, 2009 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208195922/http://www.huntington-news.com/2.6297/1.1252083-1.1252083 |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |title=The Huntington News - NU students flock to Hynes for Boston's annual CollegeFest }}{{cite web|url=http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2152397/bamboo_shoots_karsh_kale_and_more_support_project_ahimsa/ |title=Bamboo Shoots, Karsh Kale and More Support Project Ahimsa – Video |publisher=Metacafe.com |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/phillygrooves/message/6679 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711210558/http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/phillygrooves/message/6679 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |title=Yahoo! Groups |publisher=Launch.groups.yahoo.com |access-date=October 19, 2011}} Prior to signing, Bamboo Shoots toured with Jimmie’s Chicken Shack.[http://www.youtube.com/PatternTheory ]{{dead link|date=August 2014}}

In early 2008 Avir was selected to appear in Virgin America's "This is How to Fly" ad campaign. An image of him playing guitar on a Virgin plane surrounded by flight attendants appeared in billboards, magazines and posters in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington DC and San Francisco.{{cite web|url=http://spin-cdnsrc.texterity.com/spin/200805/?pg=14 |title=The document you are looking for cannot be found |publisher=Spin-cdnsrc.texterity.com |access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/75886/ |title=MediaPost Publications Virgin America Campaign Sets The Mood For Flying 02/06/2008 |publisher=Mediapost.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927233459/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/index.cfm?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=75886 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }} On April 8, 2008, Bamboo Shoots played live in the air on Virgin America’s inaugural flight to Seattle.{{cite web|author=with Ben Mutzabaugh |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?&type=photo&photo_id=08eG9Ub7Vd6Fl&pn=3&tid=000000000 |title=Usatoday.Com |work=USA Today |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

On October 14, 2008, Bamboo Shoots was a Featured Artist on Myspace Music.

On February 6, 2009 Avir and Ahmed interviewed Tricky as part of MTV Iggy’s Artists interviewing artists series.[http://www.mtviggy.com/global/iggy-music-tricky-interview-part-one ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508165949/http://www.mtviggy.com/global/iggy-music-tricky-interview-part-one |date=May 8, 2009 }}

In January 2007 a demo version of "Hey Girl" produced by Britt Myers{{cite web|url=http://www.greatcityprod.com/?page_id=1482 |title=Great City Productions » News Archive |publisher=Greatcityprod.com |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006220139/http://www.greatcityprod.com/?page_id=1482 |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }} was used in a promo for the MTV’s The Real World: Denver.{{cite web|url=http://www.getrealdenver.com/2006/10/09/the-real-world-denver-official-promo/ |title="The Real World" Denver official promo |publisher=Get Real Denver |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006061657/http://www.getrealdenver.com/2006/10/09/the-real-world-denver-official-promo/ |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}

A demo version of "If You Should Die" was featured in the launch promo of MTV’s Virtual Laguna Beach.{{cite web|url=http://niralimagazine.com/2006/12/bamboo-shoots-sprout-forth-rhythm-and-solid-beats/print/ |title=Bamboo Shoots Sprout Forth Rhythm and Solid Beats |publisher=Nirali Magazine |access-date=October 19, 2011}}

"Interstate 95" was used in the film Finding Preet.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432288/soundtrack|title=Finding Preet (2006) : Soundtracks|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=2014-08-06}}

"Talking to Death" was used in the independent Alaskan documentary Nome Golovin Snowmachine Race.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbaby.com/films/449 |title=Independent Movies Delivered to Your Doorstep |publisher=Film Baby |date=August 31, 2005 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929040550/http://www.filmbaby.com/films/449 |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }}

Four members of Bamboo Shoots are of Indian descent. Shiv Puri is Punjabi, Karl Sukhia is Parsi, Ankur Patel is Gujarati, and Avir Mitra is half Bengali and half Parsi. All members were born and raised in the US except Karl, who was born in the UK and spent his early years in India.

All members went to high school in New Jersey. Avir and Karl are from South Jersey (Voorhees and Cherry Hill respectively), Ankur is from New Brunswick and Shiv is from North Jersey (Parsippany).

Avir Mitra attended Brown University where he received a degree in Biology. He was a few months away from commencing medical school when Bamboo Shoots won the MTVu contest. He decided to forgo medical school. Karl Sukhia received a degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Shiv Puri received a finance degree from NYU Stern School of Business and quit a job on Wall Street to be in the band full-time. Ankur postponed his college degree in civil engineering at Middlesex County College.{{cite web|author=Ranjit Souri |url=http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=78936d115417ba324dfd57967b99de1a |title=A Quintet that Rocks |publisher=India Currents |date=September 16, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120527/http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=78936d115417ba324dfd57967b99de1a |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.jasonnark.com/2008/03/band-hopes-to-shoot-to-stardom.html |title=Band hopes to shoot to stardom |publisher=Jason Nark |date=February 26, 2004 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006221019/http://www.jasonnark.com/2008/03/band-hopes-to-shoot-to-stardom.html |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}

Following his recording career, Avir attended medical school and now works as an emergency medicine physician in New York City.

For drummer Shiv Puri, who was the "band chef" and cooked for everyone while touring and rehearsing, he founded {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120430151505/http://www.bombaysandwichco.com/ Bombay Sandwich Co]}}. in 2012 at the Brooklyn Flea's food festival, Smorgasburg,{{Cite web|url=https://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/12/bombay-sandwich-indian-vegetarian-lunch-chelsea.html|title = Dining Out}} and in 2014 opened his first brick and mortar cafe of the same name,{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131023/flatiron/smorgasburgs-bombay-sandwich-co-open-cafe-flatiron |title=Smorgasburg's Bombay Sandwich Co. To Open Cafe in Flatiron - Flatiron - New York - DNAinfo |access-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331040058/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131023/flatiron/smorgasburgs-bombay-sandwich-co-open-cafe-flatiron |archive-date=March 31, 2018 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all }} at 48 W. 27th Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The cafe has become renowned{{Cite web|url=http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/01/new-breed-of-health-food.html|title=Hippie No More: Meet the New Breed of Health-Conscious Food|date=January 12, 2014 }} for its use of Ayurvedic herbs and spices to create unique vegan dishes.{{Cite web|url=https://ny.eater.com/maps/13-vegetarian-sandwiches-even-carnivores-will-dig|title=12 Vegetarian Sandwiches Even Carnivores Will Dig|date=August 5, 2014}}

• [http://www.rockworms.com/old/the-bamboo-shoots/ The Bamboo Shoots, by The Beav in Rockworms, May 2007]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081216092513/http://weareiggy.com/music/?p=281 Bamboo Shoots Meet Their Maker, MTV Iggy Blog, November 2008]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111006221019/http://www.jasonnark.com/2008/03/band-hopes-to-shoot-to-stardom.html Band Hopes to Shoot to Stardom, by Jason Nark, undated]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090326072716/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indian-zing-to-mtv-campus-contest/42564-8.html Indian Zing to MTV Contest, by Anirudh Bhattacharyya, CNN-IBN, June 2007]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110930102907/http://www.desiclub.com/desimusic/desimusic_features/music_article.cfm?id=147 Passion Through Sound, interview by Pauleen Arneja, desiclub.com, 2004]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120527/http://www.indiacurrents.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=78936d115417ba324dfd57967b99de1a A Quintet That Rocks, interview by Ranjit Souri in India Currents magazine, September 2008]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928050254/http://www.jammag.com/rock/show_rock.php?article_id=129 Shooting High, from Just Another Magazine, undated]
• [http://blog.nj.com/ledgerentertainment/2007/05/sudden_fame_a_wild_ride_for_co.html Sudden Fame a Wild Ride For College Band, by Jay Lustig, The (New Jersey) Star-Ledger, May 2007]
• [http://www.eastwestmagazine.com/content/view/256/40/ The Ten to Watch: 2008, by Sonu Munshi, East West magazine, December 2007]

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071224042415/http://www.bambooshoots.com/ Official Website]
• [http://www.myspace.com/bambooshoots Bamboo Shoots Myspace]
• [https://www.youtube.com/bambooshootsband Bamboo Shoots Youtube]
• [http://www.vimeo.com/user1178078 Bamboo Shoots on Vimeo]
• [http://www.bambooshootsband.blogspot.com Bamboo Shoots Blog]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090914130610/http://www.epicrecords.com/artists Epic Records]
• [http://www.bestmusiconcampus.com/band/default.aspx?bandID=86 mtvU BMOC Page]

Category:Alternative rock groups from New York (state)

Category:American dance music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2004