Listen Up!

What's going on... Jay Sean, Bollywood, new discoveries...

2009-10-27T00:10:01-05:00

So for this week's update, I figured I'd take a different route to inform you of some good music I've been listening to and the latest on the music scene...

Starting out with an update for Jay Sean fans, if you missed his exclusive interview on this blog, now's a good time as any to catch up. The man of the moment was live on the Ellen DeGeneres show Monday afternoon. For those of us who were not among the lucky few who knew ahead of time, or just happened to find him while flipping channels, you can watch the video below...
And for those who haven't quite caught on, Jay Sean's single has been topping popular charts all across the U.S. It's a pretty popular tune, judging by the amount of airplay it's receiving and iTunes downloads (among the top downloaded tracks)... All of these are great achievements and I'm sure Jay Sean and his team are ecstatic with the response... But more than anything, it breaks stereotypes about South Asian musicians and artists... so this definitely is a good start!

On the Bollywood front, there are lots of different movies out right now. Earlier this month, I watched Wake up Sid and I enjoyed it immensely. A great cast consisting of Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen among some reliable names makes this a laidback, fun movie to watch. The songs have impressed me and I'd highly recommend checking them out...

Then there's Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani. Again, a film featuring Ranbir Kapoor, the songs will be popular. Leading the way from this album is the track Tera Hone Laga Hoon sung by Atif Aslam and Alisha Chinoy. Slated for a release soon, this one should be an interesting one to follow...

Wanna get Chiggy Wiggy with someone? Nopes, haven't lost my mind. Just leading into a song from the film Blue that was released earlier this month. I haven't seen the film yet but have heard not-so-great things in terms of storyline. On the flip side, I hear the cinematography and photography in the underwater scenes is remarkable. The songs? I wouldn't say they're outstanding but it's not terrible either. Fairly average and one of those soundtracks that will be on your playlist for a while and then make a gradual disappearance. I don't see this one really making into any history books but take it at face value, and it doesn't disappoint.

Moving onto other stuff, I was recently introduced to Alexi Murdoch and am loving every moment of this discovery. There's nothing like finding good music and I quite like Mr. Murdoch's style... very laidback and mellow. The lyrics are deceptively simple and the guitar... *sigh* Also, I've been listening to The Stills and am impressed with what I've heard so far... So that was my rock update...

This weekend sees Jay-Z playing live at the ACC and I'm jealous of all those who are going... The new album, the third installment of a trilogy, Blueprint 3 is out right now as is the chart-climbing single, Run this Town, featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. A few weeks back, a popular TV channel broadcasted a live concert from New York to commemorate 9/11 and if that show was anything to go by, I think the concert on Saturday will be worth every cent spent.

So that's it for now... till next week, Listen Up! :)

In conversation with Kailash Kher

2009-10-21T21:41:04-05:00

He wears his many hats with equal ease. And makes it all seem so effortless. The wonderfully talented KAILASH KHER is set to perform live in Toronto next month and took some time out of his busy schedule for a nice, long chat...

Multi-lingual singer, musician, lyricist, TV music show judge, artist on tour - how do you do it all?

Ha ha..I am not sure. By the grace of God, I have been blessed with these many opportunities. It requires a lot of sacrifice, but more on the part of my family than myself. I ultimately really enjoy it all. It’s fun. The key is to enjoy those moments to yourself and with your loved ones. I try to cut myself off and spend time with them as much as I can. They bring me back to earth. When I spend sometime away, it recharges my batteries.

You've come a long way in the last few years and people finally acknowledge your talent. How do you feel about your success so far?

I don’t take what you call “success” or myself very seriously. I don’t believe “the hype”. There is so much more to achieve, so much more to do. I think that is why I keep working and why I stay motivated. I never take for granted that one day all this attention and success could be gone.

What do you enjoy most about being a known name now? Do you think your life has changed?

There are many perks to being famous but the most rewarding is being able to present your art and have people pay attention and enjoy to it. I don’t have to struggle to have people or the press pay attention. But to be very honest, being a known name has many burdens, burdens I didn’t realize when I first entered this business. As soon as you become a known name, people have expectations and your time becomes increasingly scarce. I have very little free time nowadays.

You struggled for a while before the industry took notice of your unique talents. Have people changed how they relate to you?

Most of my close friends and colleagues treat me the same. In fact they are proud of me for coming from nothing and to have achieved the little bit of success that I have. It’s a huge blessing because most artists they struggle for a long time. I never take that for granted. I was very lucky and I owe a lot to many many people who gave me an opportunity… whether in the film world or ad world or even the recording industry. I am very blessed.

Your band has a sound that's very unique and immensely likeable. What do you think has made it so popular?

Thank you for the compliment! It comes down to the music and the message. It’s very universal, danceable. The lyrics are positive and sometimes thought provoking. It incorporates the lyrics and message that we often found in the poetry our parents would recite to each other on the dinner table and the music that we hear when we turn on the radio or watch music television channels.

Tell us about your latest album.

The latest album is titled “Yatra (Nomadic Souls)” and it is on the American label Cumbancha Records. It was recorded and produced alongside my co-producers Paresh Kamath and Naresh Kamath. They are my creative partners in this project. It is arranged and recorded differently with an eye towards my international audiences. There are two or three songs that are brand new and two more that are completely “unplugged”. All the songs were newly recorded. It is an album that I am very proud of.

Are you a spiritual person?

I would like to think so. I find tremendous comfort in my faith. All my lyrics reference spirituality in some form or another and are in some cases adapted from the spiritual poetries of famous 13^thand 14^th century poets like Baba Farid, Amir Khusrao, Kabir.

You've made Sufi and that style of music appealing to kids and young people. Has that been a conscious decision? What about Sufi appeals to you?

It wasn’t intentional. It’s just who I am and what interests me. It’s the poetry that I enjoy reading. That’s what I include in my music. The fact that Sufism is a system of faith that does not require you to follow one particular set of rules as set out by different religions – that is what I appreciate. Sufism is about a longing and love for our God and the journey to come closer to our God. That love is described in many of our songs. Sometimes is sounds like a love for a woman but similar to the poetry of many of our favorite 14^th Century Indian poets, this love is actually the love for God. The true reason to have faith is because of love and thanks of the divine and not because one fears what will happen if they don’t have faith.

What music do you listen to in your free time?

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a big part of my musical playlist but recently, especially because I have been traveling to North America, I have been listening to new albums such as those by African artists such as, Habib Koite and also Baaba Maal I really love their sound because it has the raw earthy sound that I appreciate the most. My manager in North America gave me a few albums by this band called 1 Giant Leap which is also beautiful because they blend music from all over the world.

What's a typical day like for you?

My days start early, at least for a musician and they are never the same. Often at 7 or 8 in the morning. I try to have breakfast with my wife and family and soon I am off to various appointments or studio sessions – whether working on a song for Salim & Sulaiman’s latest film or going to work on an ad. Sometimes if the band and I are working on a project that recording session will happen in the evening. But there is a lot of industry events, or sometimes if we are recording a television show, that will take an entire weekend of work. In between I am talking to my managers, in India and in New York, conducting interviews, talking to the accountants, meeting with the record labels. Not to mention the shows. This is the peak season in India and we are touring ten to fifteen times a month sometimes. It’s very very busy.

Where do you get inspiration for your music? What's your creative process like?

I write my lyrics and work on the basic compositions often very odd hours and the source of my inspiration can come from various places…sometimes it is a song or lyric my father taught me as a child, sometimes it is a line of poetry that I am reading in my free time, and sometimes it is based on my day to day experiences with family and loved ones. I spend a lot of time outdoors outside of Mumbai. If I had my way I would spend all my time there. It’s a small simple farm and being there in fresh air, sunshine, birds, trees reminds me of how small and insignificant I am and how beautiful the world is. That is my inspiration.

Tell us more about your band. How did you get together?

The band was formed after a few years of me being in Mumbai in 2000 when I was introduced to Naresh and Paresh Kamath through a very dear mutual friend and respected composer, Salim Merchant of Salim & Sulaiman. They made the introduction. At that time Naresh and Paresh were in various rock bands in Mumbai like the one band called “Bombay Black”. So when they met me it was a new experience for them because they never thought that the traditional folk music could be modernized. For me it was a new experience to have rock and funk blend with traditional music. The chemistry was right away and it was amazing. From there we started working with musicians all of whom are based in Mumbai and all of whom you will see on the road with Naresh, Paresh and myself.

Do you ever feel that your individual success overshadows your band's success?

It does happen. People tend to focus on the “voice”. It is natural. Also I work on a lot of film projects for esteemed composers such as AR Rahman, Salim & Sulaiman and others so people associate me with everything that has to do with my voice, forgetting that the Kailasa projects would never happen without Paresh Kamath and Naresh Kamath. So I try to make it about “Kailasa” as much as I can. But everyone focuses on what is on TV and in the films so it becomes very difficult. Luckily the band is very understanding and supportive. As much as is possible, I try to remind promoters, press, everyone – it’s not just about me. It’s about Kailasa.

Do you see yourself taking more control of your music - would you consider a full-time career as a music director/composer?

The Kailasa project is my attempt to take control of my music and work on music that is solely from my heart. With Naresh and Paresh, we have started working on a handful of film projects and yes, I would welcome the opportunity to do more of that kind of work.

You've moved into singing in Telugu and other South Indian languages - how did you manage that?

When asked, I rehearse and train in those languages for a particular song. I am still not very good at it but I have enough of an understanding to make it happen. I haven’t learned to speak them fluently but I know just enough to get around. With time I will hopefully learn more.

Audiences in Canada are waiting to hear you. Do you have any message for them?

I really hope that my friends in Toronto are ready to DANCE. I had such a good time when were last here in 2008 and I am looking very forward to coming to Toronto. I feel like I am coming home to my family when I am in Toronto. Not sure what it is about the people and the city.

What new songs/albums can we expect to hear from you this year?

Right now I am working on supporting the Yatra album on Cumbancha records and touring/meeting my fans. There are a number of projects that are about to be released as I have been called on to sing for many composers. But I won’t give it away just yet. You have to stay tuned!

Kailash Kher performs live at Massey Hall on November 12th. The concert is in collaboration with Small World Music.

Counting down to the Mahautsav... a time to celebrate!

2009-10-09T13:18:42-05:00

Diwali is just around the corner but you can already see the sparkle and excitement the festival brings. This year, the Rogers Centre, plays host to Mahautsav - a festival that promises to bring hours of fun and entertainment in celebration of Diwali.

A quick summary of the headliners this weekend include Sunidhi Chauhan, Stereo Nation, Rakshanda Khan, Anuradha Paudwal and a huge long list of Indian television actors, who will be performing on stage. And if star-gazing is not your cup of tea, there's plenty more in store with lots of cultural performances including the traditional Ram Lila during this time of year. And that's not all, there's lectures and discourses on spiritual topics and themes, apart from food and a Diwali Bazaar for those who'd like to shop a little!

With a few hours to go before the gates are opened, I checked in with Mrs. Ginny Sethi, an organiser of the event, about the festival...

The countdown is on... how are you feeling with a few hours to go before the festival begins?

Honestly, I can't explain it! I'm a little nervous and it is our debut in Toronto so I'm definitely happy but a little anxious. I hope to see many people there and from the initial responses I've heard, I think it's going to be a fun experience.

How did the team come up with the idea to organise a festival to celebrate Diwali?

It came out of nowhere! There have been a lot of groups and organizers that have toyed with the idea to organise something but somehow it never really materialised for them. There was a lot of planning but never really any action. This time, Harpreet (Sethi, chief organizer of the event) just decided that he wanted to do it. He took the lead and started getting things together and now...we've done it! I think it was his initiative that made this happen.

The stars, who are performing over the weekend, are already here. Last night, we had a formal press conference with media and the stars, and I was impressed with the response. So far, it's been a positive experience.

Getting a big roster of Bollywood stars is no easy task. How much work did it take to bring such a strong lineup together?

Getting the stars together is entirely thanks to the efforts of Roger Nair. He organized the entire lineup and it's to his credit, that we have such great performers joining us on stage. There have been times that organizers have announced that certain stars will be present either at stage shows, award ceremonies or even dandiya, and then they've never shown up. So this time, I'm proud to say that all the stars are here and it's an exciting time! I was watching people at the hotel where our stars are put up, and there were so many who were thrilled to see these actors and artists in person .They were looking at them, recognizing them and wanted to talk to them - it was pretty positive.

For more details about the performers, schedule and other events, please visit: http://www.mahautsav.com/

Hooked from the start...

2009-10-07T22:24:05-05:00

I slipped on the CD and from the first beat, I have to admit I was hooked. I've written about his previous album and I thought it was a pretty cool attempt at being experimental. The second album shows you an artist who is now in control of his talent and knows how to use it to create unique sounds. Here's a musician who knows his art. Not sure who I'm talking about? It's Anuj Rastogi and the album in question, is Dark Matter.

Bassic Instinct is a hypnotic tune that just set the tone for the album. A very neat bass line sets the tone for a haunting rhythm and tone. I listened to it unfold and I immediately hit replay to hear it all over again. Love it! 'Nuff said?

Militant Flower surprised me. Unexpected turns in beat systems, unusual sounds incorporated into the fabric of the score and just the overall sound catches you off guard. I think the fact that it followed the first track which had a consistent bass line is pretty interesting. Was it a conscious effort? I don't know; I'll have to ask the artist at some point but it certainly makes you consider the thought process in selecting the final line up on any album.

Code Blue is another track that I enjoyed a lot. It has a lounge feel to it but if you listen closely, there are lots of little intricacies involved. The tabla work on this track is absolutely fabulous as is the use of the sarod, played beautifully by Jay Bannerjee (or Dr J as he's listed on the album sleeve). This track reminded me of vintage Talvin Singh and maybe more recently of a collaboration between Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale. And when I say reminded, I mean the mood or vibe of the song. It's definitely one of my favourites on the album.

Darth Veda is interesting. First off, I love the play on the title of the track. It's a dark number and I almost envisioned something dramatic just about to happen as the song unfolds. Shlokas interspersed with Cassius Khan's cool tabla work... I wouldn't rate this as my favourite track but who knows, it might just be the one that appeals to a hardcore audience.

Shadow Crawl is the last track on this album and again, I have to admit that I'm impressed with the use of traditional instruments merged with an international underground sound. For this track, the violin makes an appearance and is used to great effect. Credits for this belong to Sharat Srivastava.

I think it takes a great deal of courage and awareness to try and blend traditional instruments within the context of a international sound. And for that, I truly believe Anuj Rastogi deserves kudos. For those who are not really tuned in to new age/electronica/underground music, this album may not be something they could like right away or maybe even ever, but if you do find unusual musical constructions and electronica interesting, I think this one's worth checking out. Mr. Rastogi, take a bow!

Shock value

2009-09-16T19:29:56-05:00

By now, everyone and their mother has read or heard about the Taylor Swift-Kanye West controversy at the MTV Video Music Awards. I have nothing to add to the conversation beyond what's already said. Instead, I've been thinking about something else that I've noticed recently. Needless to say, the thought crossed my mind while watching highlights of the MTV Awards. How much is enough? What does it take to shock us these days? Is the bar on "shock value" being raised and is the term being redefined everyday? Let's try and tackle these questions...

How much is enough? Honestly I think I've had my fill. But I think "That's enough, already!" every time something over-the-top and totally unnecessary happens. For the purposes of this blog, let's just stick to the world of music.

Take the Superbowl a few years back when Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake were involved in a bizarre incident, famously titled "Nipplegate." Then, there's the paparazzi favourite Britney Spears who shocked and scandalised everyone with her bald look, drug addiction problems and childcare concerns (not necessarily in that order!).

Another example could be taken from this year's VMAs. Lady Gaga performed a song with her over-the-top costumes and larger-than-life personality. I'm all for artistic expression and being dramatic - it is a show after all! But what I didn't really "get" is the need for the rather gruesome ending to her act. Blood being sprayed over her face and body to depict her death is not really my idea of entertainment! It just threw me off and I thought, "Hmmm, that was bizarre!" But was that her attempt at shocking the audience? Or was that some kind of theatre trick that was just beyond me? I don't think it's that easy to define how much is enough but I do think as each year goes by, it's taking more and more to shock the general public.

This particular train of thought began while I was listening to Lil' Wayne featuring on Keri Hilson's Turnin' me on (a song that I really do like a lot!) and noticed that in the uncensored version, the language used could be intepreted as offensive. In fact, I didn't even notice the word till someone I know mentioned it to me.

Sure, rap and hip hop have been blamed a thousand times over for hurting sentiments, disrespecting women, foul language and a whole lot of other things... but when I think about it, initially all you heard were a few common swear words. Then it became more explicit and now it's almost normal to hear a song with some swear or sexually explicit words thrown in. Is that acceptable? I'm in no position to judge and I don't think I'd want to pass judgement on that. But I couldn't help noticing the particular brand of language that you hear in some songs these days. The song mentioned above mentions women's genitalia in one part of the song and although the song has a sexual connotation, the use of the word made me sit up and take notice. Is this what it's about? "Shock value?"

So what does it take to shock us these days? I don't know... Every single day, we're inundated with information about bizarre behaviour. It almost seems like we're becoming thick-skinned about things around us. I'm not sure if that means we're just used to seeing and hearing things that shock us? Or that we're beyond the point where we are are easily shocked?

It's an interesting world we're living in... Lyrics, music and videos - the boundaries are being shifted as we speak. One could argue that if you set boundaries, then there's always bound to be a reactive force that inches and pushes that boundary just a bit further. Maybe that is what's happening to us. Maybe, it's just evolution?

The conversation flows... with Janak Khendry

2009-09-02T23:09:49-05:00

The feet are still dancing. The eyes still twinkle. And there's a definite sense of nostalgia in the air as celebrated artist Janak Khendry reaches an important milestone in his prolific career.

This September, the Janak Khendry Dance Company presents Ganga, at the Harbourfront Centre to mark its 30th anniversary.

I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse into the fascinating life of this wonderfully talented artist and find out what's next on his artistic horizons. Below are excerpts from an interview with Janak Khendry.

Thirty years in such a creative field is quite an accomplishment. How does it feel to reach this landmark?

It feels good to reach this very important landmark in my dance life. Yes – it has been an accomplishment on several levels of creating important-philosophical works, extensive research on several different subjects, many levels of understanding and knowledge and being the first to do many things.

What are your best memories when you reflect on your body of work to date?

The memories started from being the first Indian dancer to dance in Pakistan
in 1949; being the first to dance at opening celebrations of the city of Chandigarh, the new capital of Punjab in 1954; being the first dancer from Punjab to go to South India to learn Bharatnatyam from Swami Muttukumar Pillai, one of the most important Gurus of the twentieth century... Five command performances, from 1957 to 1961, for two Presidents of India - Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Radhakrishnan, in Hyderabad; being the first dancer to dance on the stage of the newly-built theatre Ravindra Bharati theatre in Hyderabad in 1961. The first Indian sculptor to go to the United States to do his graduate work in sculpture.

My most precious memory is of the day I arrived in Chidambaram to start my Bharatanatyam training with Swami Muttukumar Pillai.

As you reach this landmark, are you setting new goals for yourself?

Yes, I have already set new goals for my self for the next three years to create seven dance works with a totally different approach.

What do you consider as your unique contribution to the world of dance?

I think it is for the viewers and the dace historians to decide what my contribution to the world is. But since you have asked this question – my answer is that my contribution has been of creating and presenting the most undanceable philosophical works such as “Panchkalyanaka” with the message of non-violence; “Gayatri” a Mantra from the oldest Indian scripture Rig Veda about, life, light and creation; “Women Liberated” – is about a woman’s right to choose her own fate; “Upanishad” was about man’s self awareness.

Please tell us about your anniversary production Ganga. How does it reflect such an important milestone?

Ganga itself is a milestone. For the 30^th Anniversary I could not have selected a better and more important subject. For several unexpected reasons and circumstances, Ganga has become a very important project. Ganga has been going through the creative process, in my mind, for the last thirty years. Thirty years ago I was in Oxford, England and bought a small book titled Ganga. Over the years I would read few pages and make some notes. Three years ago my dance was invited by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations for a dance tour of India and one the cities we performed was Hardwar, a place very closely associated with Ganga. There on the banks of Ganga, the idea came to me to create Ganga in dance. There is a very deep spiritual connection with the River Ganga.

What about the performance in Ganga speaks to the universe?

Ganga is water and water is the source of life. Besides the history and the philosophy, what I am trying convey is that water from the River Ganga – the purest water that ever existed - in certain parts has been turned into sewage. My concern is that we human beings are destroying our natural resources all over the world. When are we going to stop this destruction?

As you come closer to the opening day, has Ganga shaped up to be the performance you wanted to share with the world on this important anniversary?

Yes, Ganga is shaping very beautifully. Certain parts that I have choreographed, have been created far beyond my own expectations. I say it modestly, that it is going to be a very special experience – both for the audience and me.

You’ve often mentioned a vertical growth in your creative career. Where on that growth curve would you place yourself today?

Yes, I have always used the vertical approach. For me it has been the most important process of creation. I am perhaps half way up the ladder. There are no limits to heights one can climb. With each step I climb, my artistic horizon expands and my knowledge increases.

Known for your experimental nature and emphasis on originality, where do these ideas come from?

The ideas come the most unexpected sources – from a word uttered by some one – from a line in a book – during a casual discussion with a friend and many a times from the sub-conscience.

How does your creative process work?

My creative process starts with the idea, followed by extensive research. The major works can take two to four years of research. I always work with important scholars. Abstract and philosophical works are given a sequential form, which is a very challenging process. After the research is completed, a very precise script is prepared and then the music composer is selected.

What comes first – the choreography or the music?

Music comes first. The script is sent to the music composer. Most of my music is composed in India. My music composer and I spend two or three days discussing the script and what my vision is about the subject we are dealing with. After the music is in my hands for about a month I do not choreograph a single step but keep listening to the music over and over again, till it becomes the part of my soul and then the choreography starts.

You share your knowledge at forums and workshops around the world. What would you like to share with new, young talent?

Young talent is very important to me. They are the future of the dance and we have a responsibility to nurture them. For each project I am working on I share all the information with them – the background of the project, the historical time period, the scriptural information and the choreographic process. Our dialogue continues.

Do you see yourself in a guru’s role, ready to share a lifetime of knowledge and experience?

Guru is a big Word, but I do share, with my dancers, the knowledge and the information I have acquired over the past fifty five years of working in the dance field, reading hundreds of books, travelling extensively around the world performing and researching. I have been very lucky to have worked, in my past projects, with very good and knowledge hungry dancers. For this anniversary performance, I am working with 17 excellent dancers. We regularly talk about the Ganges and its history.

For me the greatest pleasure is to share knowledge. In the very near future I am starting a teaching programme “Dancing at higher levels” designed for young performing dancers.

What can audiences expect from you in the near future?

I am working on several projects to be created and presented in the next three years. In 2010 I am going to present three small works Kaal (time), Pancha Agni and Matter of Opinion. In 2011, I will present a major work, John Milton’s Paradise Lost. In 2012, again I will present three shorter works – Surrender, Agni, Indra, and Spider's Web... This is what my wonderful audiences can expect from me in the near future.

(Photo source: Photo taken from the Janak Khendry Dance Company website)

A song about Toronto? Hmmm!

2009-08-26T22:37:10-05:00

Catching up on my daily quota of news, I came across this blog at the Globe and Mail, that talked about the Toronto song contest. Curiosity got the better of me and I had to check out the winning song. One thing led to another and I found myself browsing through the list of finalists in the contest. And that's when I came across a Canadian artist of South Asian descent, named Shobha, who made it to the final few...

A few clicks later, I was able to check out her music, her music videos, files on youtube and even check out her friends on myspace... That is pretty cool! And just so I don't completely digress, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a pretty good playlist on her site. Her style is modelled on a laidback hip-hop, RnB vibe and from listening to a few tracks, she'd probably fit in easily with many of today's popular artists...

The internet is a great thing for music artists all over the world. Sure, the piracy and peer to peer sharing networks aren't exactly heaven-sents, but when it comes to giving an artist exposure to a wide audience, no amount of promotion or marketing comes close. There literally is no competition to the kind of publicity you can get from being visible online.

From myspace pages to artist websites to fan forums - the kind of tools musicians and artists can use today are simply phenomenal. In fact, if you're a musician who wants to get noticed, the net's probably your best bet at being picked up by a local talent scout. Post something on youtube and it's viral within a few hours. Remember the band that created a song about their lead singer's damaged guitar, thanks to the carelessness of a leading airline? The song may have been written in a hurry and may not win any songwriting or music awards, but it certainly got the message across. And from that one video that many may have checked out for the heck of it, there are still more who may have actually listened to the band's music and then before you know it, the band has a much bigger following. All thanks to one video upload.

Twitter's a pretty interesting tool to use and follow. Not everyone makes the best use of the 140 characters given to them but most popular musicians are twittering to their heart's content. Check out tweets from a wide range of musicians - Britney Spears, Pearl Jam, Lil' Wayne, Coldplay - everyone's on there and everyone has a lot to say! Not all of it always makes sense but if it's a way to remind your audience of your existence and/or an upcoming show, tweets definitely help.

In a day and age where everyone's fighting for a little piece of the celebrity pie and the lines between private and public personas are disappearing, it'll be interesting to follow how many of these artists continue to live very public lives, with instant updates and uninterrupted access to their personal lives. It's beyond me why any of these celebrities need paparazzi or tabloids when they do such a great job of sharing where they are heading to, or what they're eating or their state of mind! I guess your popularity is rated by the number of paparazzi following you? Or maybe it's the number of followers you have on your twitter page? What do you think?

The latest headlines... from Mumbai

2009-08-14T21:36:23-05:00

When in Mumbai, do as the Mumbaiites do...and that's exactly what I'm doing on my rather short trip to this wonderfully chaotic city. So the buzz is around a very interesting film called Kaminey. If you've missed the promos, here you go...

Ladies, hold your breath... that indeed is Shahid Kapoor, no longer looking the cute-adorable-boy-next-door. And gentlemen, Priyanka Chopra is a certified hottie. The gossip grapevine here is abuzz with rumours of a relationship between the two but that's Bollywood for you! As an ex-Times of India journo, I can tell you that the "grapevine" (otherwise known as tabloid journalists) isn't really a source for any reliable information!

Anyway, the film saw a delayed release date here on account of the H1N1 flu pandemic that's sweeping the city and neighbouring areas. However, initial reviews of Kaminey suggest that the film is absolutely rocking. And I'm not a big believer in the media build up or hype surrounding a film but I have to admit that the film and its soundtrack are intriguing. From Vishal Bharadwaj, a director who is incredibly intuitive and intelligent in his art, this film should definitely get the crowds rolling into theatres in an otherwise cold year for Bollywood films.

Now the real reason why I am going on about this film. (Okay okay, Shahid Kapoor looking smokin' hot is one good reason!;) ) But apart from that, it's the track. Dhan Tan Nan - you say that anywhere in Mumbai and chances are people will join you in a little jig! This little track is a huge part of the film's promotional strategy and as far as marketing game plans go, this one's a definite success. Instantly identifiable, immensely likeable and typically Bollywood - the song gives you a little taste of what's to come and as far as I'm concerned, that's a sureshot way to pique any filmgoer's interest.

Apart from Kaminey, other movies I'm hearing a lot about include Dil Bole Hadippa which again features Shahid Kapoor with Rani Mukherjee, in what appears to be a light-hearted fun film in the Yash Raj film genre.

Then there's a whole list of other films that are just waiting to be released... but I'll save that for my next post. Over and out, from Mumbai! :)

MMMmmmmmmm!

2009-07-25T15:39:57-05:00

Cryptic headine eh? So unless you've stuck your head in the ground and are totally oblivious to the buzz, I'm referring to Masala Mehndi Masti, on this weekend at the CNE grounds. If you missed out on the inaugural set of events yesterday evening, it's not too late to join the party! I know the weather's crummy and a sorry, sorry excuse for the time of year otherwise known as "summer." But that's probably another great reason to head out to the events and enjoy some yummy (here's that mmmmm again!!) food and watch some great performers and shop a wee bit...

Tonight's schedule has a pretty cool list of performers and events lined up for the day. I absolutely enjoy watching a range of performing arts, even if I don’t completely understand all the intricacies and nuances of the art and I’m pretty glad to see a huge variety at this year’s MMM. There’s a long list of artistic performers who will be on stage in the classical dance genre. Then there’s a face off between different styles of dancing, heading by some of Toronto’s biggest dance troupes and names.

Apart from artists from the discipline of dance, there are many musicians who are making an appearance at MMM this year. I’m excited to hear Shibani Kashyap live on-stage tonight. Having heard her before, I can vouch for her ability to get the crowd involved in her performance and she has a superb voice to boot. She's been involved in some pretty interesting musical projects and is a pleasure to watch live. You can expect to hear the simply beautiful "Sajna" (refresh your memory by tuning in below...) among other popular numbers. I don't know about you but I remember her from her early years on the Indipop scene. Remember "Ho gayi hai mohabbat," featuring a pretty hunky model-now turned actor, shirtless cavorting around the backwaters of Kerala? How’s that for vivid imagery!

Anyway, there’s plenty in store this weekend at MMM... There are movies for those who want to stay in and watch some interesting South Asian films; there are tons of workshops and other group activities. So head on out and enjoy a fun weekend. "Come rain or sunshine" as the MMM folks keep reminding us... the show will go on! :)

Get "Down" with Jay Sean

2009-07-14T19:59:17-05:00

Jay Sean's in the house with an exclusive interview as he gets set to release his brand new single "Down" featuring Lil' Wayne... So where does he go from here? What's next for this immensely talented artist? Read on to find all the answers...

It’s been an incredible year for you with so many awards in the UK. How’re you feeling about it all?

Of course it feels great to be given an award for just doing your job, but really I don’t want to ever make music for awards – I make music because I love it. But I’m not saying no to a Grammy!

The title of your album My Own Way is a statement in itself. Why was it important for you to do this – your way?

It’s all about the team around you and sometimes in order to make sure everyone’s on the same page and working hard towards your goal, you have to pick people that care. So therefore I was involved in every aspect of the creation of the album. Sometimes you can be with a label, it may be a major label even, but if they don’t understand you as an artist, then you got to take it into your hands – which is what I did, when I set up Jayded Records.

Your second solo album was released after a pretty big gap. What were your expectations from this album? How do you think people have reacted to it?

I didn’t have any expectations. I never work well when I give myself expectations. I just work hard and make sure I enjoy every moment. I think that showed – seeing as the material that came out was the most honest and enjoyable piece of work that I’ve ever done when compared to my first album. And I guess it worked, seeing as it outsold my first album.

You’ve described the new album as going back to your roots. Can you explain what you mean by that?

Going back to my roots means doing the type of music that I fell in love with – and that is R&B and Soul. So I used these influences and remembered why I loved music, and put this feeling into my second album.

You’ve got a brand new single with Lil Wayne that’s getting a lot of airplay across the U.S. How did that collaboration come about?

Well, Wayne and I are label buddies now since we’re both signed to Cash Money Records! Luckily he loved the record to and was excited about featuring on it.

What was your experience like working with Lil Wayne?

It was unbelievable! The first thing he did was give me a huge hug and say “Welcome to the family!” The second thing he said was, “This song is a smash!” With that, the rest of the video shoot was so much fun. He’s a professional through and through and a real cool dude.

Do you feel that people are now willing to look at South Asian artists as part of the mainstream music industry? What role do you see for yourself in that movement?

I think there is a long way to go until South Asians fully have a firm place in the mainstream music industry. There needs to be more of us…an army that is there to stay! I feel privileged to be representing our people, and I hope I do our people proud.

Is there a signature Jay Sean sound that you’d like to be known for?

My music is all about melody and sentiment. I’d like to think that I write songs that will stand the test of time – and not just capture the hot sound of that year. A great song is a great song forever. Therefore I try to avoid gimmicks.

Earlier this year, your only stop on tour was in Kitchener. When can fans in Canada hope to catch you live for an extended tour?

Well I have performed in Vancouver and Toronto since then. I love Canada and I can’t wait to go back. I think Montreal is on the list soon. Follow me on Twitter: @jaysean and I’ll keep you posted.

Bollywood seems to love you. Any more songs from you that people can look forward to this year?

There was talk of me writing a song for a Bollywood film with hit producers Shankar Ehsan Loy. We are still trying to schedule that in and you can probably expect to see one of the hottest Bollywood actresses in one of my forthcoming videos.

How long is the North American tour?

We’ve already done 16 dates – and there will be plenty more in the near future I’m sure.

When do you head back to the studios?

I’m always in the studio – every spare moment I get. I try to write all the time – it’s one of my favourite aspects of my job. I probably have enough material for my next album now!

Any message for your Canadian fans?

Thank you for your ongoing support – I’m nothing without you guys! I can’t wait to see you guys soon. I know I haven’t got to spend enough time in Canada – but trust me when I come there – I’ll make up for it.