‘MUSICIANS ARE SESSION SINGERS NOW’
The resurgence of independent music is good news for Indian musicians, feels Neha Bhasin
Growing up, while enjoying music by some of her favourite popstars, singersongwriter Neha Bhasin had also taken keen interest in knowing about their lifestyle choices. The 36-year-old says that it helps her understand the kind of music they create.
“I think it is important for an artist to be known beyond his music. I was curious about the kind of fashion the popstars had, whom I had listen to, while growing up. To me, their life explains the music that comes out of them. One tends to appreciate their music more because then you know them as a person and not just as an artist,” says Neha, who recently released her single Sassee Puttar, whose video featured Kiku Sharda.
Despite singing Bollywood hits such as Kuchh Khaas (Fashion, 2008) and Jag Ghoomeya (Sultan, 2016), the singer feels that independent music space helps musicians to establish their own identity. She says, “Bollywood has turned all musicians into sessions singers. The entire singer-songwriter thing is getting lost. There is not much scope for creativity, and that shouldn’t be the process. Independent music gives a musician that space to explore, and be creative. Since it is back with such a bang, it is the right time for musicians to make a mark for themselves.”
Explaining her perspective, Neha says that independent space has helped her explore the kind of music she always wanted to be a part of. “I wanted to do something with folk music. I want to keep the nostalgia factor of a folk song intact, yet make it sound like a pop song,” she says, adding, “With Sassee Puttar I have tried to do the same thing, and it has a reggaeton beat, on which one can even dance to.”
There is not much scope for creativity (in Bollywood music). Independent music gives a musician that space to explore, and be creative. Since it is back with such a bang, it is the right time for musicians to make a mark for themselves.
NEHA BHASIN SINGER