Blackstratblues

Blackstratblues
Warren Mendonsa playing an electric guitar onstage, in front of a microphone
Mendonsa performing in 2012
Background information
Birth nameWarren Mendonsa
Born (1979-09-12) 12 September 1979 (age 45)
Mumbai, India
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
Years active1998–present
LabelsUnsigned
Formerly ofZero
Websitemusic.blackstratblues.com

Blackstratblues is a musical project of Warren Mendonsa, an Indian guitarist and composer based out of Auckland, New Zealand. Earlier Blackstratblues albums were solo efforts, and more recent releases have been group collaborations—all self-released by Mendonsa.[1] The project has published six studio albums and two live albums as of 2025.

Mendonsa previously played lead guitar in the Indian rock band Zero.[2] He is the nephew of Bollywood composer Loy Mendonsa of Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy fame.[3]

Career

In 1998, Mendonsa formed the rock band Zero, together with Rajeev Talwar, Sidd Coutto, and Girish Talwar, releasing three studio albums between 2000 and 2005.[4]

In late 2004, Mendonsa moved to Auckland, New Zealand, thereby quitting Zero.[5] He began releasing songs online as a solo artist, and in April 2007, he issued his debut album, Nights in Shining Karma, under the moniker Blackstratblues.[6][7][8]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Nights in Shining Karma (2007)
  • The New Album (2009)[9][10]
  • The Universe Has a Strange Sense of Humour (2015)
  • The Last Analog Generation (2017)
  • When It's Time (2019)
  • Hindsight Is 2020 (2021)

Live albums

  • L.I/O.V.E. Vol. I (2022)
  • L.I/O.V.E. Vol. II (2023)

References

  1. ^ "All You Need to Know About Blackstratblues' New Album 'The Last Analog Generation'". Rolling Stone India. 23 August 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  2. ^ "The Crisis in Indian rock". Rolling Stone India. 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  3. ^ "In the Studio: Blackstratblues", Rollingstoneindia.com, 10 July 2012
  4. ^ "Warren Mendonsa". hypnos-reviews.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Warren Mendonsa – The Interview – Part I". chordvine.com. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  6. ^ Harmony Central Acapella Forum, 20 April 2007[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Petrucci Forum, 21 April 2007, archived from the original on 17 October 2010, retrieved 9 January 2008
  8. ^ Larry (20 April 2007), Harmony Central Acapella Forum[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "The New Album by Blackstratblues". jammag.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  10. ^ "The New Album – BlackStratBlues". meteorikonline.com. 29 December 2009. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2023.