Tell us about your background, how did you start
out?
It started from a young age, when I used to go Gurdwara and learn
tabla. During summer holidays, I used to stay in Birmingham
and learn at local Gurdwara's there as there were none in Derby at
the time. I started off on the tabla and progressed onto the
Harmonium.
How did the DJ'ing start?
I used my pocket money as a kid to buy CDs from the record shop.
Over several years I built up a record collection and when I
was 13 I bought my first 1210s.
Is your first love being a DJ, or do find the music
producing, music directing and album work more
interesting?
I think both, when I was a DJ, I thought I could use my skills on
the Tabla to Turntabalism, when juggling beats, its all about
beat-matching - the same skills are needed when playing Tabla. I
remember as a DJ when Hass Ho Gaya came out and we used to love
scratching that.
Since 2008s amplified album, what have you been up to...
working on Aaja Nachle and other singles, tracks?
I took a break from the music, recording mostly and being a judge
on Brit Asia Superstar, a show that was trying to find talent
in the UK. Juggling everything and finding time was hard. At
the beginning of this year, I focused more on the studio and laying
tracks down.
What was the experience like of being a
judge?
With the panel we had, we tried to get people aware of the pitfalls
in the music industry. What we learned from experience, we
wanted to instil in other up and coming artists. We had a whole
spectrum of contestants from age 16 to 40 who had a passion for
singing. One piece of advice I would give is that nowadays
you definitely need a team, for example this year, Nisha
Sahdev has helped a lot with PR, TS Designs for album cover,
mastering and distribution with ABC. Having
said that, the whole internet phenomenon has changed
the business, opening up more channels
and opportunities.
Is the single you released, part of an album that
is coming out soon on your new label?
Its part of Laidback records, the single was an EP to launch
the label. It has done really well on iTunes.
You have collaborated with several artists, The Sahotas, B21,
Ranjit Mani, Surinder Shinda, Maninder Bajwa, Jay Sean to name but
a few... do you have any other collaborations you are looking to
do?
It all depends on what's available, at the moment I am really
concentrating on stuff I have already got as over the last six
years have worked with several artists and there is a hip-hop album
with an artist called P-Lim, who used to link with MC Light back in
the day. We do the Desi Folk stuff, but also have a passion for
R&B and Hip Hop. In the future, I would love to work with
Gurdas Mann.
What can we expect of you over the coming
months?
With the launch of the label, it has given us a platform to put out
new material so I guess it will be watch this
space.
Interview and portraits: Nardip Singh
As featured in Unfolded Magazine Issue 05