It started with a handful of freshmen with a knack for the absurd and a box of cupcakes. In history class, these aspiring musicians forged their band, Best Crème, using talent, and their cell phones.
A band born from a playful project has become the rock keeping this peculiar group grounded. The core trio involved the ambitious instrumentalists, Anthony Russo and Dinesh Thakurdyal, and the star singer, Ella Wahl. All three of them write the lyrics that encapsulate their comical friendship. Their work is so silly, that it makes more sense to address them as familiars: Anthony or “Tony”, Dinesh or “Nesh”, and Ella.
Even their band name is anything but serious! Best Crème, pronounced “Best Cream,” was born from a sticker. Specifically, a sticker label describing the type of frosting on birthday cupcakes. According to band lore, Dinesh stuck the sticker on his forehead, before turning to smile at his fellow instrumental genius. Poof! A band name was born.
“Write this down!” Dinesh had proclaimed, with Tony furiously scribbling in his notepad. Hannaford may never understand the profound impact it had on these impressionable kids.
How they all met up is about as organic as the treat they are named after. Ella and Tony had been best friends since middle school. She had been visiting a mutual friend after school to play Minecraft. The friend had been on the phone with Tony when Ella “took the mic to see who she was talking to.” After all, what’s the harm in striking up a conversation with a stranger?
The stranger, who she now knows as Anthony Thomas Russo, responded amicably despite the oddity of the situation. This interaction became the building blocks for their camaraderie.
Anthony and Dinesh started their friendship in an endearingly (un)conventional way. “He [Dinesh] walked up to me in chemistry,” said Anthony. Awkward little Nesh couldn’t help but unceremoniously ask, “Do you want to be my friend?” The young boys shook their hands, symbolizing the now unshakable bond they share.
Dabbling in creating music pre-COVID, both boys brought their experience to the band. Tony had uploaded a song onto Soundcloud under a different name before messaging it to Dinesh, hoping to humor the latter. He approached Tony the next day, saying “Dude, that song you sent me is really cool.”
That was when a revelation struck the duo.
“We should make an album together!” Were the words uttered that set their fate in stone. Ella eavesdropped on the boys discussing their ambitious plans in Pre-IB Global History, and waltzed up to them, announcing her desire to join in. The rest was history — a band was born!
Four years later, the band is still able to unite each year to produce authentic music representing their strong friendship, with a mix of nerds and busy bees working in tandem.
June 5th is their special day, a day they commemorate the release of their first album by publishing a second album.
Around 10 other individuals have contributed to this passion project, uniting people who would never dream of collaborating together, with Tony, Dinesh and Ella at the center of it all.
Shoutout to Chelsea Sukhnandan, who was unable to be interviewed, but was a primary contributor to Best Crème since freshman year. She plays a big role in their final album, and is featured in some songs.
The best way to describe how they create their songs is to say the trio has bursts of inspiration! The lightbulb materializes above their heads, excitedly rushing to convey ideas to each other. This spontaneity is evident in the quirky music and lyrics of the songs they create. The only consistent part about their process is the lunacy of their music!
The open mindedness of the trio can be seen in their music, working with people of every background, from adults to their juniors, these daring experimentalists adore producing songs in all kinds of genres.
Despite their uncanny ability to bring people together, Tony is the glue that holds the trio together. Though they never quarrel, only giggling in each other’s company, Anthony maintains his role as the modern Hermes, delivering verbal messages between Ella and Dinesh.
Anthony and Dinesh are students part of the International Baccalaureate Program at Schenectady High School, as well as members of National Honors Society. Ella participates in softball and maintains a job balancing school work. The trio finds it difficult to schedule times to find opportunities to goof off and create the music they love, hence why Tony serves as the main communicator.
Ultimately, Ella believes their “love for music is why their band has lasted so long,” even with how infrequently she and Dinesh can meet up and collaborate. Distance means nothing to these three, as, in Dinesh’s words, “Best Crème is number one priority.”
These three are far from shy about their work. They have even contacted teachers to promote their music, displaying each album as if it’s their pride and joy.
Ella fondly remembers the release of one of their songs, Sunscreen. She carpooled Dinesh and Tony in her car, rolling the windows down and cruising around town with the song on full blast.
During their junior year, Dinesh and Anthony paraded around the building and infiltrated many IB English classes, showcasing their loony tunes to their peers. Their teacher had even helped them campaign, watching them hand out trinkets and raising money and buy actual equipment. Bye, bye, cell phone mic! Hello fancy microphone!
“I’m proud of it,” Tony sheepishly admitted, “When I look back, I’m happy with what we’ve done.”
This hobby for the group is more than that, it’s something they’re all proud to put their hearts into. It’s not just fun, it keeps them together. It nurtured the goofiness that their peers adore.
Many of the songs from the beginning of their career are… things they weren’t too proud of. Freshman especially make mistakes… it’s that age, you know? Anthony expresses how there’s a lot of stuff he wishes they could have done better.
“A lot of the stuff we do is rehashes of older stuff,” Tony explains.
Expanding on funny ideas they wanted to explore became their brand. Some songs they first created were not very palatable. Their past actions are something the entire group expresses remorse for and have learned from since.
This special experience, where they managed to grow together while still being their ridiculous selves, is exactly why the core of Best Crème have decided to create an autobiography. Come on, who wouldn’t want to have these fellas memorialized? It’s the best way to express the pride they feel about this band, and really differentiates them as the cream of the crop!
The long awaited release of their final album, The Expiration Date, will be found on streaming platforms on June 5th, 2025, being the cherry on top ending high school musical careers. Tony has hinted at some premium content for the summer (a deluxe, but you didn’t hear it from me), but they’re unsure if it will truly happen.
The trio hopes to create songs in the future together if they still have time. Perhaps the next time they meet after graduating, they’ll create a one-hit wonder and link arms, frolicking in the field of their success.
Dinesh holds the band in his heart dearly. As silly as they are, he “feels like it’s something special we share. It’s our thing, y’know?”
Despite their busy, conflicting schedules, their unity shone through. “If we wanted to quit,” said Dinesh, “we would have quit in freshman year,” when times were simpler.
They may not pursue music, but they’ll definitely miss Best Crème and their adoring fans. The infamous band will hold a special place in their hearts, and be a memory sweeter than those cupcakes the name came from.
Peace out senior year, Best Crème’s signing off.
Viewer discretion is advised if you want to see their extravagant content (don’t worry, nothing is wildly inappropriate despite how some names suggest!), you can find them at the following streaming platforms:
Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube and Tiktok.
