INDI Sits Down With The Renowned Artist To Talk Music

You are considered the top Indian/ mainstream crossover act in Canada. Can you tell us about your evolution and progression as an artist?

It’s been an interesting ride. From playing top 40 songs in clubs, to writing and producing my first cd, having my first show opening up at the Orpheum to a sold out audience with Johnny Z ( now known as Taz of Stereo Nation). It’s been great. I have played in almost every main live venue you can think of throughout Canada. I’ve toured in England, India and the U.S. My main audience has been non Indians and Indians who were born outside of India. Being born in Canada, I did not get in touch with my Indian roots until I got into the music. I hope I’ve been able to bring other people like myself into the culture.

I always have been focused on bringing music from my background to people who may not be familiar with it. I do this be singing mostly in English. Because of this, I am fortunate and proud to say that I was able to lead the way and hopefully was able to break some ground for others to follow. Some of my firsts include:
The first Indian music video on Much Music, first Indian to perform live on Much Music, first Indo-Canadian to have a music video in heavy rotation on MTV Asia. My songs were the first Indian songs to be heard on C-Fox Radio as well as Z.95 and other radio stations across Canada. My band Dal-Dil-Vog was the first Indian band to win the Pacific Music Industry (B.C.) Battle of the Bands, and the National Battle of the Bands, and also to be picked as one of the top 10 unsigned artists in North America (according to U.S. Musician Magazine).

I’ve played at over 400 schools across B.C. It’s been a great trip so far.
Indians are getting a bad name and are all being painted with the same brush ( ie gangs, wife killers, etc).To show and highlight a more positive aspect of our community through music will hopefully help our reputation somewhat.

You have quite a unique sound. How would you describe your music?

English lyrical, pop, Bhangra. My music is a fusion of Indian meets North American. It’s who I am as a person and it reflects my personal music tastes, which I hope appeal to others as well.

What are some influences and motivations behind your music?

Taz and Apache Indian are what got me interested in Indian music. I was fortunate to be able to meet them and perform with them early in my career, this gave me the insight to carry on and go for it. If they could do it, l could do it. They inspired me to get into the South Asian Music Scene.

I’m inspired everyday by people around me. If something moves me, I’ll translate it into lyrics and music. Each cd I’ve written has come from whatever was going on with me at that time of my life and the people in my life.

On your website, it says: “Music has the ability to bring cultures, races, and religions together.” How is your music working towards this goal?

An Indian artist playing Indian music and singing in Punjabi, winning a big rock music competition—who would have thought this could happen? How many people did it encourage and educate? It’s amazing the amount of people that got to hear something cultural that would never have if we did not win the C-Fox competition.

Also, a few years back, I was on a tour of the B.C. schools. I remember receiving a letter from a principle from a northern school, saying that his school suffered from racial tension between, the First Nation, Indo-Canadian and other students. He wrote that after our band visited his school and demonstrated how working together regardless of race, religion or color could be more beneficial then not, helped to change a lot of students out look and attitude towards each other.
This was reflected in our music and in our talk. He went on to say the tension was gone .When I hear stories like this, it means what I am doing is working. I have had parents stop me on the streets and tell me that it was because of my music that their children are getting more interested in their heritage and language.

Who are some of your musical influences?

I am influenced by every thing I hear on the radio, on the dance floors, on TV, from my peers, my family and pretty much everyone and everything around me, it all influences me. When I am writing for a new cd I try not to listen to too much other music because I don’t want to be known as the artist who sounds like…. so and so. Sometimes songs just come to me. I could be anywhere, even sleeping. I’ll get up and start working on some lyrics or music.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I would love to work with Prince, he is so diverse and incredibly talented; others of course would include Bono from U2, Rabbi from India, and of course the man himself Quincy Jones.

How do you think South Asian music in North America and Europe has changed over the past ten years?

It’s kind of weird how the South Asian Music has changed. It’s gone from very traditional to fusion then back to traditional and now I think it’s kind of in limbo.

In which direction do you see it going?

There is so much talent in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, not to mention Asia, that I think there will be different genres with in the South Asian music scene. There already is, but I think we will begin to see more of It– just look at the charts in India, there is fusion, there is Hinglish, filmy, Bhangra, Indie Pop, Suffi, etc. There is just so much going on that there is room for everyone. In North America, Indian artists tend to either follow the hip hop format or the traditional folk format and some are mixing it up. Formats like Indie Pop and others are not so dominate here, but they will be.

Some anti-racism activists in Canada have argued that when “white” artists use South Asian influences in their music, it is fashionable; when “brown” artists do, it’s just ethnic and unmarketable to mainstream consumers. Do you think this is the case, and if so, what are the implications?

I don’t think this is the case at all. Mainstream consumers are just that, mainstream. They are used to hearing things in a certain way. If a great South Asian artist tastefully arranged a song that included elements from his/her culture into the music and lyrics, anything is possible. Look at the Colonial Cousins, they played live at the Grammy’s and Live at the MTV music awards in Las Vegas; they were on stage with Madonna. Unfortunately, they opted not to play their hit song that got them there; instead they played a new song– bad move.

Someone who is not used to eating spicy food is not going to enjoy a very spicy meal for the first time, however, if they try mild for a few times and get used to the taste soon they will enjoy something very spicy. It’s the same with bringing South Asian music to the mainstream; we have to do it in small doses.

Can you tell us about your fifth album, Indian Groove?

Indian Groove, is me giving the mainstream a little dose of spice, getting them ready for more. It’s also a collection of songs that I enjoy listing to and playing.
It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone, from pop, to traditional Bhangra to love songs to rap and a little bit of Beasty Boys flavour. Each song is different from the next.