Nikhil D’Souza interview

When it comes to solo artistes in the local indie pop scene, the number is sadly small. Nikhil D’Souza is one of them to have sustained. Influenced by Sting, Jeff Buckley, and Damien Rice, he made his Bollywood debut with Aisha and now he’s back with Break Ke Baad. We catch up with this new kid on the block about his passion.

 

Tell us about Break Ke Baad. How did it happen for you?

Vishal Dadlani called me and told me that he heard my song in Aisha and he liked it. He asked to try out the song 'Main Jiyoonga'. I went to the recording studio, tried and he was really happy with the result.

Talking about your break, which break do you consider as big break?

My big break was the Airtel ad that I sang. The ad had Saif and Kareena. Amit Trivedi heard the song and he called me to record for Aisha.

What kind of music do you play?

I actually play pop alternative folk music.

At what age did you get into music?

I got into music at the age of 10 or 12. Not professionally, but I’d sing at local levels and participate in competitions. But I started performing live much later, about one and a half years ago.  That’s when my professional career began.

You quit music after college. Why?

Well, I was at the end of my MSc when I quit music. I had to look up for a job. Also, I wasn’t sure if I could be a musician because they were not many bands at that time.

What made you comeback to music?

I guess I was bored with the monotonous life. Going to office, coming back home every day. You see yourself in a company. All these have been defined for generations by the society. But I had to break that. I wanted to do what I really loved doing. There’s a time for everything and I knew exactly that if I don’t do right now I may never do it. You are at a peak when you’re young and even many music directors want to give chance to the young and fresh talent. Nobody really wants you to give a chance at the age of 40.

Did you grow up in a musical environment?

I did not, as neither of my parents are musicians. There was musical culture around me. I started playing music with guys around me when we would hangout and that’s how I learnt.

There aren’t many pop alternative bands in India. Why is that?

The reason I see is that the songs are in English and the audience tends to like the international artistes more.  There isn’t much acceptance in India for English bands.

What instruments can you play?

Just the guitar
 

How have you taken the fame?

I don’t think I am famous now. I can walk the streets freely. But it feels nice when my friends call me to say that they heard me on radio. Although, I got into Bollywood scene about 4-5 months so I’m still new. Also, I want to make enough money through Bollywood and save for my individual efforts.

Any music composer you would like to work with?

There is a lot of good music in Bollywood these days and I really like Amit Trivedi. He’s my favourite. He knows how to work with a singer voice without much manipulation. So I’d definitely want to work with him again.

How do you see yourself after 10 years from now?

I see myself as a successful international artiste who has achieved international fame.

How is your writing process?

I generally start writing songs with some lines that just hook up into my mind. It’s rare that I write poems and then form the tunes around them. But most of the times, there are certain lines that used hookup in mind and then the words keep on adding resulting a song.

Do you get random ideas for a song at any point?

Well, yes. They happen anytime. But most of the time they happen when I am travelling in a rickshaw, bus, train or whatever. The visuals that you pass by have a message to it which really comes as a catch to me.

What kind of music do you like?

I like any kind of music. I don’t restrict myself to any one genre. I like any song with a great melody and meaningful lyrics.

Do you plan to release an album?

Yes, I do. I am working on it and it will be soon complete. After it’s complete, I will record a demo here and send it to various labels and producers. I want to release the album internationally and hopefully, everything will work out.