Raghav's Desitunes4u interview

[raghavishot]

I KNOW THIS IS REALLY OLD BUT I JUST READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME SO HERE IT IS:







1) For most people it's like where the hell has this guy come from! For people that don't know much about ma man 'Raghav' give us an intro!

I'm 22 and I've grown up in Canada. I've come over to the UK in the last 3 years. It's not something that has just happened overnight. It's been a journey over many years.

2) The track, So Confused, is now number nine in the charts, having reached as high as no 6 and it's now spent 3 weeks in the top 10! How does that make you feel?

It's unbelievable man! I can't have had a better start to my career. I'm just taking it one day at a time. There's plenty music that's been made already and more that will be created soon. This is just the start of things to come as I have intentions of making music for a long time. I don't want to be just a flash in the pan.

Raghav with 2Play & MC Jucxi

3) Already we are getting comparisons with Jay Sean because you are both Asian and have sang 'live' on TOTP! How does that make you feel? What would you say to the idea of doing a duet with him?

I can understand why people are making such comparisons. I think there is room for many other Asian artists to make the Top 10; I mean there is no reason why us two should be the only two singers to do it. So to be honest with you the comparisons don't really bother me. We are two unique artists with our own styles.

A duet? At the moment both of us are really busy doing our own thing but if the right track were written then I'd go for it. I never rule anything out for the future. Just like any collaboration, no matter who it is with, the track has to be right to make it work.

4) Now we've been asked to ask you this! What does Raghav look for in a girl? I mean what are the qualities required to have any hope of becoming Mrs Raghav?

Honest, sincere and have a good heart. She has to be beautiful inside out.

5) Your solo single is due out on February 16th, for those that haven't heard it can you enlighten them on the vibe of the tune?

The tune is basically everything that I represent. It's got some bollywood singing, english singing and at the same time it's produced with the hip-hop style in mind. It's a very meaningful song, which was written by me in relation to something that has happened in my life. I'm sure many others will be able to relate to it. Musically it is very definitive of the music that I love and listen to. It was really important for me to sing in Hindi to show that this is where I am.

6) How do you rate the Asian artists in the UK? Any individuals that you have come across whom you think are really talented?

They are definitely talented but Mushtaq is one that I have to single out. I may be biased but he's my tip to be producer extraordinaire for 2004.


7) Now your album is due to hit the streets in the summer of 2004! Tell us who's going to be featuring on it and what we should expect from it!

I hope people have the highest expectations as I am putting my heart and soul into it. It features production from Sly & Robbie, Incognito, Mushtaq and Iceberg Slim. I don't really want to get ahead of myself but there are many other people in the pipeline but we'll let that happen when it happens.

8) Some artists say no matter how much you love music it is necessary to commercialise some of your music to ensure the public by it! Would you go along with that?

I hope that people like the sound that I create. The audience can read through the fakes, I mean the music listening public is not stupid. What music I make is definitely from the soul. I guess what type of music that I am into just happens to be 'in' at the moment, so you could say I'm lucky in that sense.

9) How important is your culture to you? Will Raghav ever forget his roots?

I definitely won't forget my roots! I was born an Indian and that is what I am. It's like telling someone to forget their head at home; it goes with me wherever I go.

10) You are well travelled! What would you consider as 'home'?

There's something about India that makes it feel like home. When I am there I have so many memories of stuff that my parents talked about.

Raghav

11) Calgary, where you have spent most of your life, is like a modern place. By that I mean it's not like say New York were you get one old building standing beside a brand new one. Being such a new city, what's the scene like out there?

Calgary is a very vibrant musical city. It's the home of many talented artists from various genres of music. Canada as a whole has a lot of musical talent.

12) Any final worlds to your fans around the globe?

Thank you very much; the amount of love that people have given is unbelievable.




Part 2

Irfan: What's your biggest achievement to date?

Raghav: Having the support and the guts to leave home at seventeen, not just to move down the Road but also to move to Los Angeles. It is that initial step in pursuing a dream, which is the most difficult. I'm proud I did that.

Irfan: How does it feel to finally get the album, Storyteller, released?

Raghav: The album features 16 songs, which represents all the different aspects of who I am which are Reggae, Hip-hop, Jazz, RnB, Soul and Indian. The album musically represents who I am.

Irfan: Your album Storyteller (click here to read review) was international album of 2004 in India. How important is that to you?

Raghav: It's immensely important. Any time you put out an album in any country you want it to it's best. The fact that it did the best last year is huge for me but at the same I know the next single or the next album has to do the same thing. I don't want to disappoint people now you know.

Irfan: What would you say to the idea of singing songs for Bollywood?

Raghav: I would like to, in the right project, in the right song, the right movie that would fit me. I'm a big Bollywood fan so it's something that I would like to do one day.

Irfan: What's the likelihood of that becoming reality in the near future?

Raghav: Well I kinda turned a couple of projects down because there wasn't enough time and it wasn't the right time. So they are there and it's just a matter of accepting the right one.

Irfan: You've spoke of your desire to work with the musical genius also known as A R Rahman. How much would it mean to you to work with him and why?

Raghav

Raghav: That would be huge for me. I would want to share ideas with him and tell him this is whom I am and what I would want to do. I think the quality of what he does is just amazing and I would love to get in the studio with him to share some ideas.

Irfan: I saw the Storyteller album straight bootlegged in Pakistan. What's your view on that happening?

Raghav: I am happy that people have access to my music. It would be nice to put it and out there and promote it. If fans want to go out and buy the album then that's cool. It's getting bootlegged everywhere, I do want to make a living out of it but at the same time I make music because I love it and I'm glad people are listening to it.

Irfan: In Storyteller you featured various genres of music. Are there any other genres of music that you would like to feature on future tracks?

Raghav: Some more Acoustic stuff, some more funk stuff, some even heavier RnB stuff, other aspects of Indian music of which I have some ideas but I am not going to talk about those ideas, you know [Everybody laughs]. I am keeping those ideas tight to my chest.

Irfan: If you were stranded on a desert island and you could have one music album with you, what would it be and why?

Raghav: Stevie Wonders 'Songs In The Key Of Life' which is possible the greatest compilation of unique diverse original songs ever written I think.

Irfan: What's you view on Big Brother?

Raghav: I can understand why people watch it because sometimes I want to know why Sylvester Stallone's mum looks like a crazy nutcase [Everybody Laughs]. You wouldn't catch me on it.

Irfan: What's you view on Reality TV [Pop Idol, X Factor]?

Raghav: It's great because it introduces us to artists, people like Lemar. At the same time it's kinda sad for the artist in a way because they can't do it organically like we did like with a not so good video like 'So Confused' but a good song, which just kinda grows on people. It felt a lot more natural so there is probable more joy in that.

Irfan: Do you think that artists that are not so talented are able to sell records due to Reality TV?

Raghav: They must have some talent whether I appreciate that. I mean I may not think some artists are as talented as other artists and that tells me what I want to buy you know. There is some stuff that I would think I do not want to listen to but who I am to decide what other people listen to.

Raghav's Storyteller

Irfan: On the cover of Storyteller (left) you look like your praying. Tell us more about the spiritual side of Raghav.

Raghav: Not sure about praying, I look more like the cover of a Singapore Airlines but I am very spiritual. My spirituality guides me; it gives me some direction. It makes stuff like making music a lot easier when you know where you are going.

Irfan: So how does that influence your music?

Raghav: Some times I would do music that other artists wouldn't do. You probably wouldn't catch me swearing on stage or something like that. Not

because I think it's wrong but I think that sometimes it is done for shock value and I didn't grow up like that and it's not were I want to be. So stuff like that it is affected.


Irfan: This is a difficult question but what is the one thing that you hope to achieve in your music career?

Raghav: I hope to achieve a career. One year doesn't make a career. I hope to be here so I don't want to do anything else but make music all my life so that's an achievement on it's own.

Irfan: Would you say that you have been more successful on the urban scene or the Asian scene?

Raghav: I think the Asian scene is the urban scene. The urban scene is the Asian scene. I hear all the stuff whether I go to an urban gig, bhangra gig or Pakistani gig. Panjabi Hit Squad is an example of that as they are Urban and Asian both. Ludacris would listen to Panjabi Hit Squad just like you and I would. I think it's mixed it. However, I would like to say that a lot of my success is from the fact of being Asian and connecting with my people.

Irfan: Evidence that an artist has really made is when they start to get fan sites made for them. Are you aware of the various Raghav sites on the web?

Raghav: I've seen one that is connected to my website.

Irfan: What do you think of it and the concept of a fan site?

Raghav: I think it's great. To have a fan is amazing, to have thousands of fans is even more amazing. It's important to never let the highs get too high or the lows too low. I've read stuff on message boards about all sorts of stuff about me that is aren't true that are good but I've also read stuff about me that is bad but you can't let that damage you. Some of this stuff I just hope my parents don't read [Everybody Laughs]. I know who I am and hope the rest of my family know who I am.

Irfan: You won a Mobo for best collaboration with 2Play and Jucxi Mc for the track 'So Confused.' How did that make you feel?

Raghav: Unbelievable… unbelievable, it was like…I was completely in shock; I couldn't believe that I had achieved it. I could see a picture of Usher there…when he won the Award. When I got the trophy I'm like I'm keeping it, I'm taking it home.

Irfan: So you're not selling it on Ebay?

Raghav: NO!!!

Irfan: Now I think it's fair to say that you're famous now. How has fame changed you?

Raghav: Not at all! I've changed in the last year because I am a year older. My life experiences have changed, you know. I go out shopping and get recognized but if you let that change you then you are way too arrogant, way to quick. I've probable changed in the last year because hopefully I've grown up as a person. It's probable better to ask this question to my friends rather than me you know.

Irfan: If you didn't succeed as a singer what do you reckon you would be doing for a living now?

Raghav: I would be working in the music industry somewhere. If I failed at that [Laughs] as well then I would be a Sports writer because I love sports you know.

Irfan: From the desi music industry whose music are you really feeling? Basically who do you rate and why?

Raghav

Raghav: On the British Asian scene it would be this new artist whose not out yet but I believe she is an unbelievable talent. Her name is popping up in places. Deeyah is another one that springs to my head. Those two are the ones.
Irfan: What about within the Asian scene?

Raghav: I think Bikram Singh has got an amazing voice.

Irfan: Switchin things to your female fans. What's the craziest experience you had with a female fan thus far?

Raghav: A girl sneaked into my room and stole my underwear.

Irfan: When was that?

Raghav: About seven / eight months ago. She knocked on the door and claimed to be part of the promotion company at the club I was playing at and she saw my underwear lying around and ran in and took it and left [Everybody Laughs].

Irfan: Okay, so what's the 2nd funniest?

Raghav: When something like that happens to you then you don't tend to remember anything else.

Irfan: If you could date anyone in the world who would it be and why?

Raghav: What, I can date anyone in world? You mean like for a completely shallow reason?

Irfan: Any reason!

Raghav: Priyanka Chopra looks like someone I would like to date but I've never spoke to her or met her. When I was in India I met loads of beautiful girls in Bombay I was like 'oh my goodness' so I would have to date them. Even coming to England they are different girls than I am used to at home. There are a lot of people I would like to date. That the advantages of being single you can date whomever. Gosh, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce…

Irfan: To be in with a chance to become Mrs Mathur what credentials do you need to have?

Raghav: You'll have to ask my parents because I'm cool with anything [Everybody Laughs]. No she has to have a sense of humour and she needs to be beautiful inside and out, she needs to be down to earth and …loaded [Everybody Laughs]! Naah I am just kidding!

Irfan: Now, you're a workaholic to say the least. I'm talking about your gigging all the time. How hard does it get for you at times?

Raghav: It does get hard. I mean if you look at me now and me a year ago then I probable look about ten years older. It takes more toil on my voice than anything. I lose my voice a lot. It's cool man; I love it!

Irfan: What's the best venue so far you have performed at?

Raghav: Glastonbury was a lot of fun. The mela's were pretty special. Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham and London Mela.

Irfan: What makes the melas your favourite?

Raghav: The immense amount of people that are there. The vibe of celebrating our culture, that wicked!

Irfan: What's the funniest thing that's happened while performing?

Raghav: I injured my leg once when I fell on stage. It was funny for them I mean [Everybody Laughs] but not for me. I fractured my ankle.

Raghav in Canada on 25th Feb 2005

Irfan: You are all-set to tour the country that you have lived in most of your life; yes I'm talking about Canada.

Raghav: Yeah, how do you know?

Irfan: I got e-mailed the flyer. Are you looking forward to that?

Raghav: I'm nervous. I'm not sure what they expect.

Irfan: What are you expecting in terms of a crowd reaction?

Raghav: Canadians are warm in responses but I need to give them something to be warm in response to.

Irfan: Do you have any plans to launch yourself out in North America?

Raghav: Yeah we are hoping this year to get the right deal and get out there.

Irfan: The new single, Angel Eyes, is set for release on the 7th of February. What made you choose that track as the next single?

Raghav: It's a step in a different direction. It's getting good play around the clubs. I get to work to Juxci and Frankey Maxx again.

Raghav store signings at HMV stores for 'Angel Eyes' single

Monday 7th February at Bradford at 12:30pm

Monday 7th February at Leeds at 5.00pm

Tuesday 8th February at Leicester at 12:30pm

Tuesday 8th February at Birmingham at 5.00pm

Irfan: The video for Angel Eyes, which was shot in Barcelona. Seems like you guys and girls had fun making it. What was the thinking behind the concept of the video?

Raghav: That's it, just to make it fun video. The girl in it was so much fun to work with. The next video has to have more of a story as this video didn't but it's cool.

Irfan: Personally I love the bit where you say 'My Baby's Got OOOOOOOOOO…' It's such a catch chorus, which has my friends and me humming to it all the time. Is that the aim?

Raghav: Well, every time you can just 'OOOOOO' something then it's gotta be easier to remember the lyrics.

Irfan: What chart position do you think it will enter the charts?

Raghav: I'd love to get back into the Top 10 but we'll see. It doesn't control my destiny as I'm still going to be here if it comes in at number 50 or 5 as I'm just happy to be releasing the music that I want to release. Irfan: You've got the services of Tigerstyle to do a side B remix. What is you view on them as producers?

Raghav: I think they are awesome man! They can do the Punjabi thing without being too obvious; I mean that's a Rajisthani chant in the track. They've got everything musically.

Irfan: The Tigerstyle remix is a duet with Gunjan. What's your view on Gunjan?

Raghav: I've heard a lot of her singing and I think she's an awesome singer. I've never met her though so I'm looking forward to meeting her and talking to her about her background and what

Raghav's Angel Eyes

she wants to do and stuff and maybe if she'll feature in another track with me.

Irfan: Which tracks of hers have you heard?

Raghav: The most current is Bindiya Chamke Gi by Bally Sagoo.

Irfan: What else does Raghav have lined up that we should know about?

Raghav: Another single after this we'll see. I just want to see how this one does first.

Irfan: I reckon Top 5.

Raghav: It's not easy to come it the Top 5, so we'll see what happens. I think I'll go for a slower song after this as I've done a lot of clubby kinda singles so maybe 'NO I.'

Irfan: Any final words to the desitunes4u readers worldwide?

Raghav: Thank you very much for supporting me to give me a foundation and a base. I hope you enjoyed the album and hope you get a chance to go out and support the single. Happy New Year!