Hiya DonnyJ, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I don’t know. You would have to ask my mother. I was in her womb.
What’s the weirdest place or situation you’ve found yourself in that inspired a song?
While sitting in a meeting with my manager as she broke the news of my layoff.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
I’m not that active on social media, besides X, which I specifically use to exercise my writing skills. I only post on other platforms when I’m inspired to post. So, I’ve stopped playing that game of “you’ve got to be active on social media or else you cannot exist as a musician.”
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I don’t care about any engagement.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
It’s just like any other industry. A rat race preserving the façade of something touted as grandiose. As an artist you can choose to participate in that race (which probably 99% do), or you can opt out of it. But there’s no compulsion do either.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I don’t think I’m in it.
What’s the biggest thing you have learnt recently as you progress with your music?
That what excites me is not the applause of others but simply the successful culmination of a music project.
What was your best experience on stage?
When I was in India, I had the privilege of performing at the Kut Festival, which is one of the biggest cultural festivals of Northeast India. I got to perform as a solo act, in front of 25k-30k people who are crazy for music and arts. That reception and atmosphere was unforgettable.
What was your worst experience on stage?
I think it was during the auditions of The Voice in Boston. I had the expectation of that event being my only ticket to fame, to salvage my plummeting music career (my derivation at the time). I was trembling and shuddering while anticipating my turn to sing, measuring other competitors around, in my head. When I got to the actual audition, I was distraught, sweating profusely, completely lost my shape and voice control, and bombed the entire performance. It was embarrassing because I used to champion myself for being an apex performer and having 0 stage fear.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I’m a mechanical and automation engineer. Although if you’re Indian you would’ve probably expected that (haha).
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes, I’m releasing my new single “$hill”. This has been a long-time coming project. I had written this song about a year ago and was tightening up the production since. The lyrics and composition excite me. When I was done with the demo, I felt this song was just too good to release discreetly (like I typically do). I pitched this project to a few industry professionals and luckily, I was able to get Grammy winning engineers Carl Glanville and James Auwarter to work on this record with me.
What was the recording process like?
Nothing special. Recorded the vocals in a jiffy over 3-4 days like I do with all my records, starting with the lead and then moving down to the harmonies and adlibs. I enjoyed capturing the vocal performance for this record.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
The topics that intrigue me and how I write about them is far removed from what used to pique my interest only a few years ago.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No, I’m onto the next one.
What’s one thing people would never guess about how you make your music?
There’s no systemized method in which I create music. However it comes, it gets created. Could be a lyric or a chord or some melody or a particular sound. Doesn’t matter. It can germinate from anywhere, I never restrict its inception.
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