'I don’t know if going by trends is such a great idea'
10 Oct 2013 3:46 AM IST
Raghu Dixit makes happy music’ says his website. We would gladly agree. After having played in over 20 countries and clocked over 750 shows over the last 12 years, Dixit has had quite a remarkable career. He’s in the Capital to perform live at Blue Frog tonight. Don’t miss it!
And while you decide to cancel other events to make place for this one - here are excerpts from the interview...
Tell us a bit about where you started from and your initial years in the industry?
I started making my music from my early 20s in Mysore. The story of how I got into music is widely read now, but long story short, I discovered music, loved it so much that I thought it was worth it to quit my job as a scientist and jump into this full time! That was 15 years ago, and in 2011, I got the best New Comer award by Songlines magazine, so I think I am still in my early years in this industry.
What is ‘your kind of music’? Is there any music that you just don’t like listening to?
I’ve always maintained that I think there are 2 genres of music, good music, and bad music. I strive to make as much good music as I can - there is no type of music I don’t like listening to, as long as it’s good. I don’t have any genre based dislikes, though my preference is for folk and world music.
How do you think the music scene in India has changed over the last decade?
Immensely! from being mostly a hobby for everyone involved, today, we have a festival almost every weekend in India and bands that are of such varied genres and musical styles. I think we have come a long way in the last decade and the next decade will make Indie music huge in India.
Are there trends that are coming up now that you can foresee as the next best thing in music?
I don’t know if going by trends is such a great idea. I know that a whole lot of people are experimenting with music and technology, and there will be a lot of hits and misses.
Do you have a dream project in mind?
I am working on a couple of dream projects at the moment and they will be announced soon.
Who are the best artistes you have worked with?
Everyone I have worked with has been special in their own way, and it will be very hard for me to single people out for this.
What songs are on your playlist right now?
A lot of world music, the new John Mayer album, all my essentials, right from Dave Matthews to Michael Jackson!
What next for the Raghu Dixit Project?
Our album comes out next month, and we should start making a lot of noise very soon about it, that is something we have been looking forward to for the last 5 years almost!
How has Delhi been for you? How have the Delhi audience been for you?
I love playing in Delhi and we have had some amazing shows there. A lot of people know our music inside out when they come for a gig and there is a lot of singing along and the atmosphere is brilliant! I don’t expect any less this time.
Tell us five things you like and dislike about Delhi.
I love Delhi, its food and people, and particularly dislike it’s traffic at times and at some points in the year, its weather!
And while you decide to cancel other events to make place for this one - here are excerpts from the interview...
Tell us a bit about where you started from and your initial years in the industry?
I started making my music from my early 20s in Mysore. The story of how I got into music is widely read now, but long story short, I discovered music, loved it so much that I thought it was worth it to quit my job as a scientist and jump into this full time! That was 15 years ago, and in 2011, I got the best New Comer award by Songlines magazine, so I think I am still in my early years in this industry.
What is ‘your kind of music’? Is there any music that you just don’t like listening to?
I’ve always maintained that I think there are 2 genres of music, good music, and bad music. I strive to make as much good music as I can - there is no type of music I don’t like listening to, as long as it’s good. I don’t have any genre based dislikes, though my preference is for folk and world music.
How do you think the music scene in India has changed over the last decade?
Immensely! from being mostly a hobby for everyone involved, today, we have a festival almost every weekend in India and bands that are of such varied genres and musical styles. I think we have come a long way in the last decade and the next decade will make Indie music huge in India.
Are there trends that are coming up now that you can foresee as the next best thing in music?
I don’t know if going by trends is such a great idea. I know that a whole lot of people are experimenting with music and technology, and there will be a lot of hits and misses.
Do you have a dream project in mind?
I am working on a couple of dream projects at the moment and they will be announced soon.
Who are the best artistes you have worked with?
Everyone I have worked with has been special in their own way, and it will be very hard for me to single people out for this.
What songs are on your playlist right now?
A lot of world music, the new John Mayer album, all my essentials, right from Dave Matthews to Michael Jackson!
What next for the Raghu Dixit Project?
Our album comes out next month, and we should start making a lot of noise very soon about it, that is something we have been looking forward to for the last 5 years almost!
How has Delhi been for you? How have the Delhi audience been for you?
I love playing in Delhi and we have had some amazing shows there. A lot of people know our music inside out when they come for a gig and there is a lot of singing along and the atmosphere is brilliant! I don’t expect any less this time.
Tell us five things you like and dislike about Delhi.
I love Delhi, its food and people, and particularly dislike it’s traffic at times and at some points in the year, its weather!
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