Raaga and blues..
Here's the new king of R&B, Ash King, who'll be in India in August for his
album with A R Rahman.. interviewed by Abishai Fernandez Terry loves Hindi film
music and tries to use it as often as he can. We like to call Sexy girl a
Bollywood Calypso style song
How did you get into music? I was only knee-high then. My dad, Shankar Ganguly,
is a semi classical and folk composer. I began singing months after I learnt to
talk. I also learnt to play the dholki.
I was never an academic. College was not for me, I got involved with the
‘wrong' crowd and I decided to take the musical route to sort myself out. Then
I teamed up with Terry Mardi and he has been my true academic guru. But your
music is not too influenced by Indian sounds? I make music for the moment. I
take all my influences from Indian classical to soul and make it work for the
song I am making. How did you join the Terry Mardi camp? I was introduced to
Mardi via a friend in the gym. We both clicked and decided to be each other's
musical extensions. Wherever he goes, I am there and vice versa like two
musical peas in a pod. At the same time, we both have different skills.We make
a good team. How do you define your brand of R&B? For me, R&B is Raaga and
Blues since I want to add an Indian touch to our music. Have you played the
dholki on your new album too?
Actually, Terry wanted to use the dholki on the album. Sometimes, we start the
production with a dholki rhythm and then take it out later to get a different
western spin on a track. I'm working on playing the dholki live.We've used
dholki in our album.
What's your first memory of singing on stage? I sang on stage to a western
Black gospel audience. I used to go to ‘open mic nights' with mostly Black soul
singers , who had big voices.
It was nerve-wracking to climb up on stage at first, but I did well. I grew up
listening to great singers such as K-Ci and Jojo, Jodeci, Brian McKnight, R
Kelly, Joe, Charlie Wilson, who have greatly influenced me. Tell me about your
debut album? We want to keep the name a secret for now. Suggestions are
welcome. The album is nearing completion. First, we'll finish the album, then
name it. It's like having a baby. You have to see it first, or in this case,
hear it. The album is quirky, fun and about looking at the brighter side of
life. How did your collaboration with R Kelly happen? Terry produced the track
with R Kelly and then I was asked to add a second verse in Hindi. They all
liked it. The rest is history. What was it like to debut with a seasoned
professional? It was exciting. When we got this opportunity, we were flat tered
and grateful for it.
Perhaps Kelly's fans will want to hear our music now! We want to work together
again.
Your tracks Take it easy and Sexy girl are a chip off the Brit Asian music
block… Terry Mardi and I want to break our sound (South Asian sound) into the
mainstream. We make all sorts of music, not just Asian. We don't want to jump
on the bandwagon and I'm not into this profession for a short term. How has
your music been accepted? Myspace has opened many doors for us, and websites
like Desihits.com have given artistes like me a huge platform. Such platforms
allow music to do the talking. How many tracks are there on your album? Enough
to make it value for money! We're even considering doing a double album - one
in Hindi and one in English. How did the musical score of Maine Pyar Kiya get
on the track Sexy girl? Terry loves Hindi film music and tries to use it as
often as he can. We like to call it a Bollywood Calypso style song. When are
you performing in India? Well, we are working with A R Rahman right now. So I
expect to come to India soon.. maybe
next month. The exact schedule isn't finalised. What's this project with A R
Rahman? I can't talk much the Rahman project right now.. it's too early. All I
can say is that it's western and it's big.
Hindustan Times 24 Jul, 2007
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