AND THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE…
“I AM THE FRONTMAN, DOING ALL THE STUNTS AND MOVES, BUT THIS WILL ALWAYS BE A GROUNDING THORN IN THE FLESH – I NEED THE CHOIR, IT DOESN’T NEED ME” —WILLIAM RICHMOND
There’s a Christmas that’s celebrated in Goa every year on Jan 7: True?
Around 12 per cent people, worldwide, celebrate Christmas on January 7, including the Russian population in Goa. This Orthodox Christmas Day is a result of some Orthodox churches’ decision to follow the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian.
When’s a good time to take down the Xmas tree?
Many mark the end of Christmas season on the 12th night after Christmas, also the day the Three Kings or Wise Men visited baby Jesus. Traditionally, this is the day (January 6 or 7), you should take down festive decor.
WHEN YOU MAKE DECISION AND LET IT ABSORB YOU IN A GOOD WAY, YOU NEED TO MAKE SACRIFICES IN RELATIONSHIPS” —WILLIAM RICHMOND
Have relationships taken a hit due to his pre- Covid hectic lifestyle? “In life, when you make a particular decision and let it absorb you in a good way, you need to make sacrifices in relationships. It’s a good test to know who’s going to be there in life and who won’t,” William says. It’s never been smooth sailing in any case, even with his family. They have had moments of doubt. “But when you stick to something; don’t act like a leaf blown around by every gust of wind that comes along; respect grows. They know your heart’s in it and start supporting you,” he explains.
SPIRITUAL BALANCE
Given the biblical references, I can’t help but ask how religious he is. Not very, it turns out. He doesn’t associate music with religion, but with spirituality. “I do believe in God. I don’t think love for God is an emotion. But years of trusting and seeing that trust go against you and yet bear fruit if you hold onto your faith in God, is something you realise later,” says William. Prayer has helped him through breakups, betrayal, anxiety and the likes. “Music will boost you. But faith in the verse, ‘All things happen for the very best to those who love God’ will have a lasting impact,” he says.
Any regrets? “Abandoning my piano lessons! I had a boyish restlessness and stopped learning at Grade 3. My father predicted I would regret it… but it’s never too late,” says the self- declared ‘scatterbrained student’. But doing theatre and music on stage in college has made him the outspoken and confident choir leader he is today. Traits that come in handy when he bumps into CEOs and celebrities at award shows and celebrity weddings!
His fame is based on old-school wordof-mouth, not PR or management. “Our audience comprises people who’ve heard about our music, not those who have seen an ad that said we are the best choir in the world,” he says. “Today, young people are chasing after the wrong definition of ‘fame’. We have stereotyped it as a number of Instagram or Facebook likes. That doesn’t mean you ignore the market. You just make sure you retain your soul.”
FAN FOLLOWING
William is now used to being recognised on the streets of Shillong, when he’s out and about running errands or eating at his favourite momo joints. In the pre-Covid days, he often chatted with people along the way, but on one occasion, the fans were too shy to speak to him, so they whistled the tune of a choir song! “I
laughed and smiled… and walked slightly faster,” he laughs!
The foodie has also taken up a new hobby – he’s the butcher at Uncle’s Ark, the home delivery service for groceries the choir has started. “When people find out, they are shocked!” But his meat dressings are quite the talk of the town! All this as he does online concerts to raise funds to feed six villages and run the SCC school.
What he’s even more proud of is his contribution to the gourmet section of Uncle’s Ark – a South Indian fried meat recipe he picked up when they went to perform in Cochin, he explains, promising a taste during my maiden trip to Shillong. Impeccable music, amazing food, and a fellow DU alumnus-turned- celebrity to guide me. Post-Covid trip sorted!