by ASJAD NAZIR
SINGING STAR NEHA BHASIN ON BALANCING POP WITH PLAYBACK AND HER FUTURE HOPES
VERSATILE singer Neha Bhasin’s effortless ability to balance pop music with playback singing has resulted in an impressive array of hit songs.
The sultry-voiced siren has gone from being a part of India’s first all-girl band Viva to showing off her skills as an award-winning solo artist, with popular film songs like Kuch Khaas Hai, Jag Ghoomeya, Dhunki and Swag Se Swagat.
She has also had pop hits like Chitta Kukkad, Laung Gawacha, Nai Jaana and a recent collaboration with British artist Raxstar titled Shudai.
With more big songs on the way and an amazing ability to perform, the music star look like she will continue to shine for a long time to come. Eastern Eye caught up with Neha to talk about music, inspirations, future hopes and more...
What first connected you to music?
My connection to music is definitely my mother. She herself is a singer and used to sing around the house all the time. My musical connection grew in school because that was actually the first time I discovered I had the voice and can actually sing.
Do you remember the first time you sang in front of a live audience?
I was in third grade and sang a song in a choir called The Owl And The Pussy Cat. I still remem-ber that very sweet experience, and within a year I became a solo singer when I was nine.
So for me, being on stage and singing in front of a live audience is always very thrilling. It is something that always gives me a rush.
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
I was born in the 1980s and grew up in the 1990s, so at that time the biggest pop star was Michael Jackson. His was the first album I ever bought and his song was the first I ever sang as a solo singer. So he was definitely one of the first musical influences and one of the best. After that, of course there were many different artists of varying genres, but I definitely have to give Jackson the maximum credit for having the love for music.
How did you feel recording your first song?
Actually my song was before Viva and it was really nice as I even got paid for that recording. I recorded with this producer called Gaurav who wanted me to write a song for him. It was just something we were trying out. At that time, the electronic genre was very new and he was already doing it.
My first professional recording was with Shan-kar Ehsaan Loy for the song Humne Geet Sunaya with Viva. That was really bad because I was so nervous that I didn’t have a voice in the recording. (Laughs) So yes, I don’t have any fond memories of that recording.
You have recorded a number of hits, but which is closest to your heart?
That’s really very difficult to answer. I have done so much work so it would be unfair to just pick one, but if I had to choose I would say Dil Diyan Gallan because generally I am very drawn to the song. There is something very beautiful about it, but that’s not the only one.
In every language I have ever sung, I do have a couple of favourites. But if I had to select one, it would definitely be Dil Diyan Gallan.
Which of your awards has been the most special?
Definitely the Filmfare! Maybe because there’s so much of conditioning attached to that award. It’s basically considered as the Oscars or the Grammy’s of India. I don’t really have many friends in the industry or any influences, and I know that award was genuine and hence it means a lot.
My husband won that same night as well, and that’s when it became extra special because we had just got married a few months before and we both won our first Filmfare. So I think that definitely was the most special.
You are a very versatile singer, but which style of music do you most enjoy?
I have no idea anymore. I have done so many different things. When I started singing, I used to sing in English. I used to sing western music. Then I had to completely change my style and start singing more earthy stuff. I also trained in Indian music.
Today, I have no idea what my style is anymore. I just enjoy what I sing. But with regards to the genre, I really enjoy the unplugged style of music as a singer and vocalist. Any genre, whether it is folk, Sufi, pop or rock-pop, when I sing it in the unplugged manner, I enjoy it. I think I shine the most then!
Where do you get all that amazing power in your voice from?
From practicing and lots of Riyaz.
How much does live performance mean to you and what has been the most memorable?
Like I said, the dream for me in music is to perform live in front of an audience. That’s what I enjoy the most. I have many memorable moments! I think one would be recently when I performed in Vadodara and put up the kind of concert I always dreamt of.
Also, even Viva’s first concert was memorable. That was the first time I was ever in front of 50,000 people with a band. Recently I performed in Goafest for the advertising industry, that was very memorable. I have performed a lot in the Tamil industry. I did this beautiful unplugged concert that was really memorable. Performing in front of the president of Singapore was very memorable too. So there are many.
What would be your karaoke song of choice?
I don’t really like karaoke. But if I had to choose, it would be Another Day In Paradise by Phil Collins. I just love the lyrics, and the song brings back a lot of childhood memories. My dad and a lot of us used to enjoy listening to that song.
Who would you love to sing a duet with?
There are three singers. I have already sung with Mohit, but I would love to sing with him once more as I think my voice matches with his. KK, because I am his fan. Arijit, because I think my voice would really blend well with his. I usually end up singing solos, but it’s always fun to experiment.
What music dominates your own playlist?
Very mixed! I always love listening to current music and am not somebody who just listens to retro, though I love it. I always like knowing who the new artists are on the international circuit.
Usually I am listening to music when I am packing my bags or when I get ready in the morning. On a day when I am feeling really tired, I love listening to Billie Holiday, which is retro. From the new artists, I love Arianna Grande and Charlie Puth. Sometimes I go back listening to Michael Jackson or George Michael.
What are your biggest passions away from music and singing?
I love dancing. Unfortunately, I have been so passionate about what I do that I don’t really have any other passion. But yes, I do love swimming and being in the water. One thing that does gives me joy is being near the beach, in the water or doing water sports.
What is your greatest unfulfilled ambition?
One is definitely an English album that’s released worldwide and not just in India. Second would be to put up a concert at a production level, exactly how I would like it to be without any compromises. I have been living with this dream in my head from so long that now I want to actually experience it. Concerts like J-Lo or Michael Jackson have done is the level of performance that I want to experience.
You have encountered and worked with some amazingly creative people. Who has been the most inspirational?
I love the passion that Vishal-Shekhar have for their music and how consistently great they have been at it in an industry where people come and go. I just love the kind of songs that Ali Abbas Asghar sings.
I am very influenced by my husband, music director and producer Sameer, as I have hardly seen him not wanting to make music. This is something I learnt from him because I am definitely not like that, so when I see this quality in him it really inspires me. I even get inspired by my dancers or my choreographer for the kind of commitment they give. There is so much to learn from so many people every day.
If you could learn an instrument, which one would it be?
I am very bad at playing instruments. I have tried both the guitar and piano. But I really think I am much better at dancing and singing than playing an instrument.
If you could ask an artist alive or dead a question, who would it be and what would you ask?
I would like to ask Michael Jackson if he was ever really happy and if he understood the magnitude or the kind of impact he had on mankind, including me, since I am a big fan of his.
What is the best advice you ever got?
Don’t be a mother to your husband. Be his lover, be his girlfriend, be sexy.
What inspires you?
I think I have a disease called perfection. What inspires me is my obstinacy. I don’t stop until I achieve what I want. It’s some fire burning inside me that inspires me. What also inspires me is a lot of meditation and listening to audio books by Deepak Chopra, Louis Sachar, etc. I essentially start my day with my morning meditation.
Why do you love music?
I have no idea why it turns my world upside down. I think it is cosmic. It cannot be anything else. I have loved music since the time I was a child. It is as if I am married to music.
