Talent-wise
24 Feb 2014 3:42 AM IST
This week we won't be boring you with more places to pig out at. We can always go back to that later. The India Lit Fest kicks off this weekend so head over to Pragati Maidan for some great sessions. check their Facebook page for updates.
We spoke to some awesome people - singer Jonita Gandhi and Madhav Mehta from Epic Shit Entertainment and here are the excerpts from some crazy-fun interviews.
First up is Jonita Gandhi. Gandhi is now making a striking entry in the Bollywood music scene with two featured tracks in the upcoming film Highway directed by Imtiaz Ali starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda.
The music which has been composed by the musical maestro AR Rahman. The tracks sung by Gandhi in the film Highway are Kahan Hoon Main and Implosive Silence. The music from the movie has already made quite an impression on the people and Gandhi clearly has a lot coming her way post those incredible tracks. Read on as the singer gets talking about how it all started, the good, the bad and the ugly of the music world...
Tell us about yourself.
I'm a singer from Canada, now residing in India. I studied at the University of Western Ontario where I obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and Honors Business Administration degree. I love singing and dancing, and I love animals.
What was the first big break for you?
My first break was when I got to tour with Sonu Nigam in the summer of 2012. This gave me a lot of credibility, and it was the push I needed to take my singing further in the Bollywood industry.
How would you define your musical philosophy?
My musical philosophy would be to keep experimenting. Don't worry so much about what people will like, until you're satisfied with your work yourself.
In our country, how easy (or difficult) is it to make a mark in the music scene? What do you think about the main issues are?
It really depends. Due to the amount of competition that exists in the industry, it is not an easy task to get noticed. With the help of social media and the Internet in general however, it has become much easier to get your voice out there if you're willing to push it. Although I firmly believe that great talent and work speaks for itself, you need to believe in yourself enough to really make a mark.
How easy or difficult was it to make a break into Bollywood. How did that happen?
I had done a lot of preparation before delving into the film music scene. I had been performing and singing for several years, and putting up a lot of material online before I actually got on a flight to India to try to meet people within the industry. With my success on the 88keystoeuphoria YouTube channel, I had built a presence online, and credibility amongst professionals within the industry. Our videos were getting a lot of views and were being circulated worldwide. This was a great start for me, as it gave me a solid portfolio of work to showcase to music directors as a sample of my voice. Ultimately this led to my success breaking into the film music industry.
Tell us a bit about your music, what do you think defines you?
My music, from what I feel, is a fresh blend of different sounds. In terms of Hindi music, I sing songs with both an Indian and Western flair. I am versatile, and I experiment with different genres. My unique background has shaped my voice and personality into what it is today, and I shall continue to discover more things about what defines me as I progress in my career.
What/Who inspires you?
I am inspired by people who follow their dreams and persistently chase their goals. It takes a lot to make it in this industry, and in fact most people here inspire me in a different way. There is something to learn from everyone.
Tell us about your best tracks
My current favourite is Kahaan Hoon Main which is one of the songs I've sung for the new film Highway. It was an incredible experience to work with Mr AR Rahman and I adore the song because it is a beautiful blend of western and Indian elements. It is an international-sounding ballad which I feel I can relate to.
What songs top your playlist right now?
This might sound funny, but I don't have one! I remember people would always find it strange that I've never owned an iPod or mp3 player. Even today when all our music is on our phones, I only listen to tracks for work purposes. However I love hearing different kinds of songs and when people recommend music to me, I'm excited to hear it.
What suggestions/advice would you have for newbies in music?
Be patient! Understand the industry. Know that when things don't work out, that there is a lot involved which is out of our control. Continue to work hard, be persistent, and most importantly, be sincere. Your efforts will pay off.
What other projects are you working on?
I'm continuing to do covers with my YouTube collaborator Aakash Gandhi, and will have some other special songs to share which I've lent my voice to. Stay tuned!
Funny man
We also spoke to Madhav Mehta, founder and artistic director of Epic Shit Entertainment. His directorial debut under this banner, Kasturba Panda ki Pantie, was highly appreciated and ran to full houses in Delhi. He is back with his next production, Birdie NumNum. A pupil of the very epic Papa CJ, Madhav is now known as The Khullah Saand in the stand-up circuit.
Tell us about the concept behind Birdie NumNum. How did it come to be?
Well, I started adapting a script in early october. By january I was done with the 5th draft and it was completely different from the original. After a point, it sort of wrote itself. The collaborators on this project felt the vision, and all contributed to give it it's unique taste.
What sort of 'epic shit' inspired you to come up with Birdie NumNum?
Well, I once went to Pandara Road and ate seven tandoori chickens in a go. That was the sort of epic shit that inspired me to come up, erm no, shit out Birdie NumNum.
How did Epic Shit Entertainment come about?
I had to do something with my life. So I said to myself, why not?
What's next in the pipeline for you guys?
A tragedy. A thrilling,truthful and a very tragic tragedy. Which most people don't understand, but is the genesis of all comedy.
What sort of reaction are you expecting from the Delhi audience?
Ask them! I hope they like it!
Do you guys plan to take the show to other places yet?
Give us money. We'll take it to wherever you want.
Give us 5 reasons as to why NO one in Delhi should miss Birdie NumNum
1. It's an ESE play.
2. It's an ESE play.
3. It's an ESE play.
4. It's an ESE play.
5. It's an ESE play.
We spoke to some awesome people - singer Jonita Gandhi and Madhav Mehta from Epic Shit Entertainment and here are the excerpts from some crazy-fun interviews.
First up is Jonita Gandhi. Gandhi is now making a striking entry in the Bollywood music scene with two featured tracks in the upcoming film Highway directed by Imtiaz Ali starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda.
The music which has been composed by the musical maestro AR Rahman. The tracks sung by Gandhi in the film Highway are Kahan Hoon Main and Implosive Silence. The music from the movie has already made quite an impression on the people and Gandhi clearly has a lot coming her way post those incredible tracks. Read on as the singer gets talking about how it all started, the good, the bad and the ugly of the music world...
Tell us about yourself.
I'm a singer from Canada, now residing in India. I studied at the University of Western Ontario where I obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and Honors Business Administration degree. I love singing and dancing, and I love animals.
What was the first big break for you?
My first break was when I got to tour with Sonu Nigam in the summer of 2012. This gave me a lot of credibility, and it was the push I needed to take my singing further in the Bollywood industry.
How would you define your musical philosophy?
My musical philosophy would be to keep experimenting. Don't worry so much about what people will like, until you're satisfied with your work yourself.
In our country, how easy (or difficult) is it to make a mark in the music scene? What do you think about the main issues are?
It really depends. Due to the amount of competition that exists in the industry, it is not an easy task to get noticed. With the help of social media and the Internet in general however, it has become much easier to get your voice out there if you're willing to push it. Although I firmly believe that great talent and work speaks for itself, you need to believe in yourself enough to really make a mark.
How easy or difficult was it to make a break into Bollywood. How did that happen?
I had done a lot of preparation before delving into the film music scene. I had been performing and singing for several years, and putting up a lot of material online before I actually got on a flight to India to try to meet people within the industry. With my success on the 88keystoeuphoria YouTube channel, I had built a presence online, and credibility amongst professionals within the industry. Our videos were getting a lot of views and were being circulated worldwide. This was a great start for me, as it gave me a solid portfolio of work to showcase to music directors as a sample of my voice. Ultimately this led to my success breaking into the film music industry.
Tell us a bit about your music, what do you think defines you?
My music, from what I feel, is a fresh blend of different sounds. In terms of Hindi music, I sing songs with both an Indian and Western flair. I am versatile, and I experiment with different genres. My unique background has shaped my voice and personality into what it is today, and I shall continue to discover more things about what defines me as I progress in my career.
What/Who inspires you?
I am inspired by people who follow their dreams and persistently chase their goals. It takes a lot to make it in this industry, and in fact most people here inspire me in a different way. There is something to learn from everyone.
Tell us about your best tracks
My current favourite is Kahaan Hoon Main which is one of the songs I've sung for the new film Highway. It was an incredible experience to work with Mr AR Rahman and I adore the song because it is a beautiful blend of western and Indian elements. It is an international-sounding ballad which I feel I can relate to.
What songs top your playlist right now?
This might sound funny, but I don't have one! I remember people would always find it strange that I've never owned an iPod or mp3 player. Even today when all our music is on our phones, I only listen to tracks for work purposes. However I love hearing different kinds of songs and when people recommend music to me, I'm excited to hear it.
What suggestions/advice would you have for newbies in music?
Be patient! Understand the industry. Know that when things don't work out, that there is a lot involved which is out of our control. Continue to work hard, be persistent, and most importantly, be sincere. Your efforts will pay off.
What other projects are you working on?
I'm continuing to do covers with my YouTube collaborator Aakash Gandhi, and will have some other special songs to share which I've lent my voice to. Stay tuned!
Funny man
We also spoke to Madhav Mehta, founder and artistic director of Epic Shit Entertainment. His directorial debut under this banner, Kasturba Panda ki Pantie, was highly appreciated and ran to full houses in Delhi. He is back with his next production, Birdie NumNum. A pupil of the very epic Papa CJ, Madhav is now known as The Khullah Saand in the stand-up circuit.
Tell us about the concept behind Birdie NumNum. How did it come to be?
Well, I started adapting a script in early october. By january I was done with the 5th draft and it was completely different from the original. After a point, it sort of wrote itself. The collaborators on this project felt the vision, and all contributed to give it it's unique taste.
What sort of 'epic shit' inspired you to come up with Birdie NumNum?
Well, I once went to Pandara Road and ate seven tandoori chickens in a go. That was the sort of epic shit that inspired me to come up, erm no, shit out Birdie NumNum.
How did Epic Shit Entertainment come about?
I had to do something with my life. So I said to myself, why not?
What's next in the pipeline for you guys?
A tragedy. A thrilling,truthful and a very tragic tragedy. Which most people don't understand, but is the genesis of all comedy.
What sort of reaction are you expecting from the Delhi audience?
Ask them! I hope they like it!
Do you guys plan to take the show to other places yet?
Give us money. We'll take it to wherever you want.
Give us 5 reasons as to why NO one in Delhi should miss Birdie NumNum
1. It's an ESE play.
2. It's an ESE play.
3. It's an ESE play.
4. It's an ESE play.
5. It's an ESE play.
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