Indian Mittoo takes centre stage
While working in the music business as an audio engineer for over 25 years, Everton Mittoo had the urge to transition as an artiste. It was not until last year that he took the plunge as Indian Mittoo and released his first song.
The self-produced Baby I Love You, a wink to his wife Susan, was actually recorded in 2008 while he was visiting California. After traveling to the Golden State without her, a sense of longing inspired him to put his feelings on tape.
“It describes not a frilly, no-sense woman but rather a strong, virtuous woman. I felt every man deserve a strong woman,” said Indian Mittoo.
The 49-year-old artiste is originally from Unity
Hall in St James but has lived in Philadelphia for almost 20 years. During the 1980s, he was exposed to dancehall acts like Ninja Man, Papa San, Stitchie, Yellowman, and Super Cat.
A self-taught engineer, Indian Mittoo worked for several years as a roadie with the True Survivor Band, who were resident musicians at Point Village Hotel in Negril.
After migrating to the United States, he maintained his ties to music as an engineer, but showed even more interest in performing. He developed his vocal skills at Jamaican dances in Philadelphia and recorded several songs, but they were never released.
“It took so long to release my music because I was not satisfied with the distribution. I wanted to take control of my music without other labels, so I started an antique business and saved towards having my own equipment, studio and live band,” he said.
The initial version of Baby I Love You was recorded at his friend’s home studio in California. It has since been remixed with a contemporary feel.
Indian Mittoo is also manager of the Master of Unity Hall band in his hometown.