Unfolded Magazine were invited to speak to RDB and Nindy Kaur about
their forthcoming albums, music and experiences which have seen
them explode onto the Bollywood scene with their blend of western
genres with traditional Punjabi beats and vocals.
You have said in the past that your father was your first
Ustad or music teacher, but tell us about when you first started
experimenting with sound?
Kully: We all grew up playing instruments and we were all into
gadgets back in those days: computers, audio equipment and the
like. Sampling stuff and experimenting.
Surj: We've always had a love for music, right from day one I'd
say, especially when our dad bought us an Amiga 500.
Kully: The Amiga came with boxes of software which included music
editing software, so probably 400 games and 10 music software
programs. It was around that time the Sony Walkman came out.
We sampled (music) from the Walkman, transferred it into the
Amiga and started messing around with sounds.
Manj: That bring backs some fond memories.
How did you develop from that into DJ-ing in
clubs?
Kully: When we first started we sampled everything: Michael
Jackson, Safri; we didn't make music, we just dropped beats and
vocals together. The keyboard and computer helped us develop our
sound and from there we went onto making our own samples, kicks,
snares, high hats, record vocals and so on.
Surj: It was around then we got into the culture of DJ-ing and
performing to an audience to see the reaction.
Kully: It was a playground to us and, early on, that’s where our
love of music and DJ-ing really grew from and became strong. Over
time we did small gigs, bought more DJ equipment and production
suites, which allowed us to make remixes and then go and DJ
those new sounds.
Manj: We always listen to criticisms and praise so we also improve
our tracks and music through feedback and response.
What has been your most memorable gig to
date?
Kully: It has to be Lahore for me, it was unbelievable and I never
expected to get the reaction we received. People were singing
the songs even before the vocals were laid down for the first
verse. I don't
do as many shows as these guys, but they had 60ft billboards and
the love that was felt for your music was interplanetary.
Surj: For me, the same.
Manj: Dubai.
Nindy: Delhi.
How did the experience of working with Akshay Kumar and
Snoop Dogg differ?
Surj: We were heavily involved in that collaboration. We flew over
to LA to speak to Snoop and get his ideas and then flew over to
Mumbai, trying to merge two different industries which are so
different.
Kully: It was difficult to put together, but we can all agree that
the end result was phenomenal: musically, visually and from an
entertainment perspective.
Will Bollywood play a big part in your music over the
coming years?
Manj: Absolutely, without a doubt.
Kully: The way I see it, being a producer, Bollywood music,
especially the more commercial, easily digestible, upmarket and
young club type music is blowing up, bringing a new found
freshness and quality to Indian music. I said this in a previous
interview, but UK Bhangra needs to take a leaf out of the wide
range of instruments used in Bollywood music: the orchestra,
amazing percussionists and different melodies. UK Bhangra is
constricted in terms of melodies and that may be where it is going
wrong. The importance of sound needs to be channelled into UK
Bhangra.
Drawing my attention to Nindy now, how have you found
working with the guys?
Nindy: Horrible, they torture me (haha). No, it's been brilliant
working with my husband and my brother-in-laws.
How do you manage your time?
Nindy: Constantly on the go, juggling, juggling all the time.
Manj: She came from the circus (laughs)
Nindy: Yep, juggling, it's been a lot of hard work and my nickname
is Go Go Go…
Manj: Nindy Non Stop (laughs)
Could you tell us a bit about the Akhian
video?
Nindy: It's in a film style, not a club style, very film-like with
a twist in the storyline. It was shot in Canada, very tiring, but
well worth the effort.
How did you find the directing of Umar Syed?
Nindy: Excellent.
Surj: He's a visionary and we've shot a lot with him.
Kully: yeah, Umer has got a very good eye.
Manj: And very easy to work with.
Could you tell us a bit about the Nindypendent
album?
Nindy: Number one, there are not going to be any slow songs. I'm
not into sad songs; I don't want to put anyone to sleep
(laughs). It's more like hard dance, trance and house with a lot of
Punjabi and Hindi lyrics. It should hopefully be released at the
end of April.
How is the Worldwide album coming along?
Kully: It's actually almost finished.
Manj: What happened is we had about 45 songs for the album and
narrowing down the tracks is tough.
Kully: It doesn't help when the direction of the album keeps
changing, the more we speak to other people and travel. Constantly
revisiting the music, the branding and tweaking of it. It's an
ongoing process. Because it has been so long in the making, we
would rather give people a finished article, than something
half-baked.
Nindy: So in a nutshell, it has been
narrowed down from 45 to 45 (laughs)
Kully: We will be releasing some singles in March, so not long
after that.
Have you guys thought about a double CD?
Kully: It was going to be, then a CD with DVD and CD with USB
(laughs)
Could you tell us about your clothing line?
Kully: The whole clothing line is created by a company called
DesiWear and they were originally based in Canada, but distribute
all over the world. The idea behind it is that each one of us has
our own characters and each would have our own line of clothing,
Nindy included, for example my line is very
bright and very loud.
Surj: My designs are a bit more chilled out and relaxed.
Manj: With me, I've gone more urban and mystic - very gothic,
eagles, old handwriting and so on.
Lastly, one sentence from all of you, what one piece of
advice do you have for someone or a group starting
out?
Kully: Don’t do it (laughs), no, really it would have to be do
everything properly, be that the music, branding, website,
manager... don't cut corners basically.
Surj: I would say get to know the business and liaise with media
and contacts who will help get you to that next level.
Nindy: Know your basics, be it singing or playing an
instrument.
Manj: Make sure you look the part and make sure you have fun.
See latest music videos:
www.rdbmusic.com
You can view this article in Unfolded Magazine Issue 2