The Score Magazine October 2021 issue! by The Score Magazine

ISSN 0974 – 9128

Vol 14 Issue 09 October 2021

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Music Technology

Why You Should Use Loops Even When You Are Not a DJ Artist of the month

Seasonal Affected Beats On the cover

SALIM-SULAIMAN

In conversation with the composer duo on their independent project Bhoomi 2021 and more.

Score Magazine

In conversation with GURBAX & Rashmeet Kaur, Hanita Bhambri and more. highonscore.com The

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INDEX

Find out

Read about

19 artists to check out if you like Divine

10 tips for students who are learning classical music, 10 Artists To Check Out If You Like Divine.

A cup of Music , a Gallon of Life- Music & Nature

Music Technology

5 Global Hits That Sampled Indian Songs

Build the Perfect PA System with These Tips, Tips for Better Bass Sustain, Spice Up Your Digital Recordings With Analog Vibes.

How to Infuse More Emotion in Your Playing

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Guitars Our obsession with quality, tone, and playability is at the heart of every guitar we create We combine a simple modern design with timeless acoustic guitar shapes We aim to provide the best “out of the box” experience or our players

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THE TEAM

INDIA’S NATIONAL PAN-GENRE MUSIC MAGAZINE

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SNEHA RAMESH / PRAGASH VM

GOING DEEPER INTO THE MUSIC SCENE CONVERSATION WITH POWER DUO SALIM- SULAIMAN 8

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Bollywood and the Independent Music scene has undergone changes for the past three decades with many young musicians making their mettle with respect to sound, bringing out fusion of interesting genres and of course- amazing presentation of background scores. Salim and Sulaiman are known for their incredible work over the years and are known to be one of the most successful and accomplished composers and producers in the Indian Music Industry. They have made a mark in both film music and also in the independent music scene. This composer duo have a very unique sound and the ease with which they straddle different genres and styles across Bollywood and the Independent music scene has seen them scale great heights. We know them for their blockbuster films such as Chak De India, Band Bajaa Baraat, Fashion, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Krish 3 and many more. They are all set to release their new independent music album “Bhoomi 2021” and we were honoured to have a chat with them about it. Bhoomi 2021 is coming up with 25 artists performing and connects musicians from all across the country for 22 years over various genres. Please tell us about this project and how it has taken off Salim: During our extensive travel across Africa, Ireland, and Spain, we had the pleasure to listen to and explore many regional flavours of folk music. We all know that India is a land renowned for its rich classical music but folk music wasn’t getting the recognition that it deserved. This is when we thought of doing a contemporary folk album with a poprock flavour by bringing together top notch artists from across the length and breadth of India. This project is a collective representation of our rich culture, history, tradition and musical art forms. It’s a small sample size that we vow to continuously explore deeply and bring to audiences in a fresh avatar with each passing year. BHOOMI 2021 is going to be quite big with songs from Tamil Nadu, Assam, a hardcore Punjabi song and a Rajasthani folk song collaborated with Vishal Dadlani based on a 300-year-old Bandhish from the time of Mughals. There is a song on the historic event of Jallianwalla Bagh, done by Clinton Cerejo as well.

Could you elaborate a bit more on the different collaborators on this project? We are also curious to know how did you approach the project at a tough time like this. Bringing together this project was challenging given that we now live in a digital, post pandemic era and to bring together all the equipment in-house was a task considering we are used to working in our usual comfortable space of our studio. Of course, we had the technology at our disposal to bring this project live but we also needed to go an extra mile to master the available technology to ensure that we achieved the highest levels of quality. It turned out to be a journey in great self-discovery as well along the way, as we put Bhoomi 2021 together. Another challenge was to balance work from home and work in the studio. We had to work more intensely in the studio than usual to ensure we got the best out of each working hour there. But, that’s the beauty of doing work that you love. The first track to be released is a collaboration with Vishal Dadlani. This is a contemporary take on an old bandish from the Mughal Era. The song is originally composed by Sadarang in the raag Bhimpalasi

called “Ja Ja Re”. It is the first song which every classical singer learns when they start their journey. The composition is truly beautiful that revolves around a young bride who tells her husband how she feels about being careful with her motherin-law and sister-in-law watching over the newly married couple at home. The third song is a bidaayi, (farewell to her parents home) a song when the bride leaves the parents house after her wedding, a traditional Punjabi song sung by the amazing Sukhwinder Singh. The fourth song is an Assamese song composed by Anurag Saikhya called Kaisoli that translates to “Ray of Light”. It is a collaboration between Singer Vivek Hariharan and Jyoti Mala who hails from the same tradition, follows the same legacy. The classical part was sung by folk singers Sattar Khan Manganiyars of Rajasthan. The Ahom Tradition- the kingdom before Assam was formed. The girl hails from this tradition and follows the same legacy and dresses up in the same way. She does Buddhist chants. The fifth song Barbaad is a power ballad having shades of Hip-Hop sung by Raftaar and Afsana Khan. The next song is a Sai Bhajan composed by the students of Sathya Sai Baba and will be released on the eve of his birthday. Kaadu is a song The

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very much a couple but interestingly they agreed to do this. We wanted to bring Indian folk music together and would have equally loved Uttarakhandi folk, Bengali, Karnataka or Kerala but we could only cover few of the regions. We assure you that for Bhoomi 2022 we will bring in more artists from various regions under one roof.

Having something for almost every region of India ranging from Shia Muslims, to Sathya Sai, or Tamil folk Kaadu is something commendable. Thank you so much.

Having composed for so many films in short span of time, what are the challenges you face? When you are solo , you are different and as a team, you sound completely different. from Tamil Nadu that means trees and it speaks about the importance of forests and conserving the environment. The song is composed by Grammy award winner Ricky Kej, Arivu and Charan and features flautist Rasika Sekhar as well. We also composed our version of a deeply spiritual Qawwali prayer“Naad E Ali”, that evokes the blessings of Hazrat Ali. It features four singers- Salim, Salman Ali, Vipul Mehta and Raj Pandit. Another track called “Jallianwala”, composed by Shor Police takes listeners on a painful historical journey related to the massacre in 1919. The powerful vocals of Harshdeep Kaur brings out intense emotions and scars from an event that has had an everlasting impact on the families of those affected as well as our nation at large. The last song is a breakup song that features a real-life couple Nikhita Gandhi and Shashwat Singh. They’re

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Sulaiman: When we work together, I let Salim do the melody part and I do the rhythm part. But when we are working on a film, the most important thing is to understand the story, the graph of the film and what genre of music will fuse for the film. For example , we can’t have a Hip-hop song in a film like Qurbaan. Such a film needs Sufi elements with powerful lyrics that compliments the story and the writing. Understanding the film and the kind of music is very important. Once this is done, the music just flows. Salim sits with the lyrics part, and I do lot of production work and electronic stuff and we bring different elements together. We both have different approach towards the song and we don’t fight (laughs), but we bring the synergy named “Salim-Sulaiman” sound. It is basically what I listen to and what he listens to, completely two different kinds of music that blend beautifully. We have been making music for 25-30 years now and the biggest challenge is to blend the mix flawlessly.

Salim: The dynamics of the industry have changed. There is a lot of pressure on artists in terms of digital reach, engagement, and traction. Additional to this, it’s important to also create good music that resonates with the audiences across social media. I, personally, prefer not to fall into that kind of pressure. I always believe that good music is everlasting and will find an audience anyhow. It is important for artists to focus on quality and the rest will take care of itself.

The music scene has undergone change from records, cassettes , CDs and then downloads and pen drives later. Streaming platforms have arrived now. How do you think digitalisation helped music? Salim: Change is something that is constant and we have to adapt to how the technology moves. The best part of digitalisation is that music is available to everyone for listening from day one. It does feel great when

music is sold out, but when the music is available for free around the world from any country, it is a huge advantage. Having so many people listen to your music around the world is a huge deal, thanks to digitalisation. But people do get carried away with the numbers and that’s something which is treated as a benchmark. I never understand why it happens because we all know people can buy Google ads and have the numbers pumped up and this is indeed a weird situation. It is like throwing a party and paying the people to come to attend the party! We come from a different era of CDs and Cassettes, but we always focused on making good music and believed in diverse collaborations such as Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh, Salman Ali or Hansraj Raghuvanshi from Himachal Pradesh that widens the audience. It is definitely a great advantage with digitalisation where music reaches wider horizons than distribution. Sulaiman: Imagine your song hitting on the very first day in a house in UK, or in Africa or USA. You can do that with the new technology in hand. Imagine sending a cassette or CD outside the country, and you would have to send it 30 days in advance and go through the customs. But now, it is just in a single click, you can release the song in multiple countries in a go and trillions of people can listen to the song. The numbers aspect will always prevail and the comparison always exists. It is the way we are built as humans and we tend to compete to be better over others. If that’s not present, everyone would be listeners and not musicians!

Talking about the independent music scene in India, you have your independent music label Merchant Records and have been promoting fresh talents. How do you select the artists for your record label? What is the process like? Sulaiman: The process is pretty simple. If we listen to a song and like it, we go for it. We have a curation process by listening to the music and we dig into the artist and it is all about understanding the music and taking it further. If the relationship is fruitful with us, we go ahead and every artist is welcome with open arms.

Please tell us about mixing the Lady Gaga Song Born this Way and Judas! Salim: That was more than a decade back in 2008. Lady Gaga wanted to do something in India and she was planning to come to India in 2009. She was already popular in the US and around the world but not that popular in India. Born this Way was the most popular single of hers then and she wanted to an add Indian flavour to the song. I don’t call it a remix, they sent us Lady Gaga’s vocals and few instruments, but we changed the entire arrangements to make it completely Indian in terms of percussion and multiple layers. It was a nice collaboration and Universal records reached out to us. We did that literally in a day and the song got released just four days later! It was one of the early releases on YouTube. Back in those days, hitting million was massive and the song did hit the mark quickly. She was involved in the song, the composition was made very organic. It was quite a fun collaboration and happened by sending files over the internet. Earlier, collaborations involved meeting in person and this was quite phenomenal.

Salim: Our criteria is just good music. We don’t see how many Instagram followers or YouTube subscribers the artist has. If the composition strikes a chord, the artist is in. Sulaiman: Numbers might define the talent to some extent but not a main criterion for us. The

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What according to you is the most underrated album/song done by you guys and why? Salim: It is a difficult question. Bhoomi 2020 was the most underrated series according to us. Though it reached a lot of audience, it could have done much better. It is something that will grow over time but it had some amazing songs that would have got more reach and raise up in the charts. As the years go by, and as we continue to make Bhoomi popular, I am sure people will start liking this hybrid genre with folk, contemporary and interesting blends. A lot of experiments happened during the pandemic time and the album could have done much better in this huge stream.

Our music industry is heavily dominated by films. But with the Indie scene, do you think things are changing differently? Salim: These days, even big labels are making independent music and change is something that is constant.

What about the artists who are not backed up by any popular record labels? Salim: Well, they can release the music over their own independent channel. Sulaiman: Yes, you may not get as much recognition or fame when you perform under a popular record label as an independent artist. But the audiences that you can reach via popular music streaming platforms like Spotify, Jio Saavn, or Jio Music gives scope for an incredible journey and this has removed categorisation of music. A film song, remix or the label doesn’t matter. If the song is liked, it is becoming popular and that’s the listening pattern of the new generation. When we look at this ecosystem, Covid has taken film music out of the scene. Independent music has been coming into the forefront and we are getting used to it.

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Sulaiman: I’d say some of the songs we did in films didn’t get much recognition. If you take Band Baaja Baarat, Ainvayi Ainvayi got more push than the other songs which unfortunately didn’t get recognition. It always happens. For example, Aaja Nachle’s title song got more popular while Ore Piya did not get lot of recognition. That hunger always stays with the composer.

How long did it take for you guys to produce Bhoomi 2021? From artist lineup, production and bringing the end product? Salim: It was done pretty quickly, in just three months because we were busy doing lot of different things and during April-May , there was Covid second wave kicking in. We were doing stuff for Olympics, Merchant Records and planning to release this album in October. The work was quite slow because of second wave and started during May. But somehow we managed to pull it off.

When you come up with something like this, what is your process like? Salim: The first thing we come across is the idea. And the second thing is a collaboration that clicks. I go by the sound and theme it with a story such as Jallianwala Bagh. When Clinton heard about the massacre, he saw the date was 13th April, which happened to be his birthday. It was then I said he had to do this song. Apart from Qawwali, we wanted to do something bhajan centric and I came across this beautiful Sai bhajan played by Raj PANDIT and we wanted to do something in Pop and composed with a power couple. So, we were thinking of different genres, history, tradition, devotion and I wanted to do something on classical side that led to Ja Ja Re in Bhoomi 2021. We did have a sketch of ideas which are totally different and from there you build towards a specific direction.

What is your take on music education? Sulaiman: We have to seriously think of introducing music education at a primary level. Some schools already have it and my daughter goes to such a school where it is a part of the curriculum. Music brings you together, like a band to perform and gives a cultural education as well and inner peace. Learning an instrument is one of the most essential things that we are missing out in the educational system. We have speech, drama, arts- why not music.

Rapid Fire SALIM: A song you wish you never created? Nothing of that sort! I am totally into a song I make.

Your go-to hobby, apart from music? I like designing spaces and architecture.

An instrument you wish to learn? Guitar.

A dream collaboration?

Seal the singer, or Sting- even both!

SULAIMAN: A dream singer you wish to make a song with. Seal for sure!

A song that is playing on loop right now Surprising but Mani Ke Maahe Hitthe

MANIKE MAGE HITHE Your favorite TV show? 24 and Money Heist.

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NAVYA C

Legendary Exponents who Changed the Face of Carnatic Music

The field of Carnatic Music has simple to understand as well. He witnessed dramatic changes since has proven that Carnatic music its inception. From the times is something that is not just for when devotional aspect of music language exponents, but also for is emphasized more, with the commoners. involvement of greatest Carnatic 3. Thyagaraja Swami: The exponents, the face of Carnatic first word that comes in any music has changed over the years. listener’s mind hearing the word A lot of new innovations , influences Thyagaraja is Lord Rama. It is and ideas fused into the music form obvious because Thyagaraja seamlessly. The influences of even the swami was an ardent devotee of western instruments such as violin, Lord Rama throughout his life. He viola came into mainstream Carnatic has penned maximum number of music. compositions on the lord’s name but just like Annamacharya, he We bring you the list of seven such has questioned the social norms amazing legendary exponents who and widely expressed his views entirely changed the face of Carnatic on how turbulent mind can be Music in their own prowess: through his kritis such as Manasa Yetulortune, Entha Nerchina and 1. Annamacharya: The highly the famous pancharatna kriti devoted bhakta of Lord Dudukugala. His kritis are not Venkateshwara swami, just for musical perfection but Annamacharya wrote thousands also made the listener think about of keertanas in the praise of the social norms and the way of the supreme god. However, leading a fruitful life. as he evolved, he started 4. Muttuswami Dikshitar: penning keertanas that made Carnatic music got the solid the listeners think about social ground of rules and principles norms. One such greatest because of this legendary example is Brahmamokkate composer. With his staunch Para Brahmamokkate- which rule following and keeping the speaks about the caste system compositions complex enough for that prevails in India. Along with the listener to fathom, Dikshitar’s questioning social norms, he also compositions standardized the wrote on spirituality and knowing challenging aspects of Carnatic oneself to attain enlightenment. music. Every composition of 2. Kshetrayya: Bringing in the his is definitely a challenge new form of compositions for the student to learn- and called padams, Kshetrayya’s his innovative idea of writing contribution to Carnatic music compositions dedicated to the is greatest for sure. Till date, nine planets ( Navagraha Kritis) padams are used by classical is an idea ahead of time for sure. dancers as well to emote a His composition Anandamrutha histrionic(abhinaya) and that are Varshini- in the raaga Amrutha

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Varshini has moved the nature itself leading to rainfall- a rare feat indeed! 5. Syama Sastry: A priest in Kamakshi temple, Syama Sastry has dedicated his life towards writing compositions only on the goddess. His entire devotion, musical prowess was channelized towards Kamakshi. This is indeed a revolutionary feat because every composition of his is mellifluous and shows his supreme devotion towards the goddess. 6. Muttaiah Bhagavatar: When compared to the musical trinity, Muttaiah Bhagavatar has explored the other side of Carnatic music and devised his own style of composing. He has also ventured into Hindustani raagas and made them suitable for Carnatic rendering. His daru varnam Maathe Malayadhwaja remains to be an eternal classic even till date. 7. Dr. M . Balamurali Krishna: Among the modern composers, Balamurali Krishna is known for revolutionizing the face of Carnatic music through his diction, dynamics and composing in all the 72 melakartha raagas. His emphasis on diction for each of the compositions during his performances is highly commendable. Let us reminisce and revisit these legendary composers by listening to their work and realize the greatness of their vision- that was well ahead of time!

NAVYA C

ADITI SARAWAGI

The 101 to Being a Successful Musician What does it take to be a successful musician today? Only composing good music and having a good voice is not enough, other factors are needed to make it in the highly competitive music industry today. Music is available in different formats and platforms, in a range of genres and one has to keep up with the times to be a successful musician. Write your Own Music-These days just having a good voice is not enough. You must have a sound knowledge of music and writing one’s own songs gives an added edge to the composition as a whole in the eyes of the audience. Produce your Own Music-Big recording studios and music labels are not the only means to get one’s music out in public. A label might take a while to sign an artist but it shouldn’t be an obstacle in releasing one’s music. Gear, today is affordable and easy to set up so producing your own music is not that big a challenge anymore. Distribute Your Music EffectivelyDistributing music is no longer limited to large record labels. There are many small and medium distributors now in India who operate in the media business. Copyright-Awareness about copyright and music licensing will go a long way in securing one’s career. Study and Give the Best you CanStudy music theory and appreciation from experts in the field and always give your best. The more you hone your craft, the less room for error and more room for musical hits. Tours-Individual tours and festival tours increase artist visibility and play a huge role in the popularity of one’s music, songs and brand as a whole.

Music Streaming Platforms- Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music are an integral part of the music industry today and has completely changed how music is consumed. Shazam is also an app which helps in locating and identifying your music. One’s music needs to be present on these platforms to reach the audiences. Social Media Platforms-Social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat have become an integral part in defining a musician’s success today. As more and more media is consumed digitally, these platforms are engaging fans like never before allowing a direct contact with the artist. One’s presence on social media can make or break a career. Create a Team-Creating a team to work for you and with you is a game changer. Being a musician is not an easy task and everything cannot be done alone. A great team can make life easier for an artist which includes the recording labels, managers, booking agents, PR agents, and social media managers amongst others. Surrounding oneself with the right people can make a huge difference in a musicians’ success rate. Stay Authentic-With digitalisation reaching the grassroot level, today’s Indian music industry is booming and regional sounds are slowly but surely becoming one of the top contenders for the charts. Audiences are exploring non-film genres and myriad tastes are evolving giving more plausibility to the artist to stay authentic to his roots and create the music he wants.

fans. The more connected an artist is with his fanbase the more his reach extends and this has become crucial for success. International Reach-The internet has made it very easy for fans sitting thousands of miles away to be listening to your music. This can not only lead to increase in your fanbase, number of hits on your social media pages, and number of plays; but also lead to international gigs and collaborations. Short Video Apps-Instagram Reels, Triller, TikTok(though banned in India)-these apps have been seen playing a major role in increasing the popularity of songs and the artists and create viral trends which supplement the success of a musician.

Connect with Fans-Gone are the days when being a media personality made you a distant, inaccessible human on the billboards. Today with social media, live shows and concerts, there are a lot of ways to interact with the audience and the

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Score Indie Quickie

HANITA BHAMBRI Tell us about your latest Raataan chill mix with Tanishk & Jubin and the making of it It was an amazing experience. It was the first time I was singing in Punjabi and that too a Bollywood song. I feel so honoured to represent indie music community in the mainstream space. I love pushing my own boundaries and experimenting with my voice and genres. And thankfully my community was just as welcoming and supportive for this song as they are for my indie releases.

Who or what inspired you to be a singer-songwriter when you first started? Music always made me feel I belonged, like that was my safe haven in the chaos of the world. And Damien Rice’s music especially brought me so much comfort and I wanted to do that for others. That is what pushed me to write songs and to be an artist - to help someone across continents feel less alone

Talk to us about your process of creating a new piece of work. What are some of the steps you follow? I don’t have specific steps. I usually like to do everything together - the words, the melody, the chords and the instrumentation. And the song slowly evolves and reaches a place where I feel like it’s ready to be recorded and released.

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How have you been able to use social media in this current times? Are you finding that you use it even more to stay connected to fans and other musicians? I have been using social media as a way to reach out and connect with my listeners. No one could’ve predicted that the world would change so drastically and that too so suddenly. None of us had any time to even prepare. I wanted to be a voice of hope for people - someone who sang them to sleep, sang their favourite songs to make their day better, made doodles that made them feel like their feelings were valid. I definitely use social media a lot more but it’s important for to take breaks from time to time because i don’t want to force myself to make content or write songs when I’m not feeling it.

What was the most path breaking moment for you as an Indie artist? I don’t think I’ve had that yet, and I’m sure when it happens I tell the lovely folks at Score first hehe

If there is one thing you would like to change about the Indie scene, what would it be and why? I would love to see more acknowledgement and media attention for womxn artists. Despite so much talent and twice as much hardwork - artists still aren’t given their due cause people care more about the male narrative. And that needs to change

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate? The ability to create something out of thin air, which didn’t exist up until a few moments ago. Something which will become a home for strangers I’ll never meet - yet somehow we’ll be connected by an invisible emotional force. I think that’s beautiful, hard not to be passionate about something like that

Describe your most favorite and least favorite part about being a musician. Most favourite is songwriting, least favourite is how lonely it sometimes is

Rapid fire An instrument you would love to learn : violin A song of another artist you wish you had originally sung : Enough for you by Olivia Rodrigo Hobbies you have other than music : swimming, cooking, painting, illustration An artist you would give anything to collaborate with : Damien rice A song of your own that you wish you could re-write/ recreate : given my heart

Upcoming projects I have a few collaborations in the pipeline, very excited about them

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10 Artists To Listen To If You Like Divine

MC Altaf

MC Altaf has been an active member of the Gully Gang ensemble, helming one single after the other, collaborating with fellow artists such as Divine and D’Evil along with non-Mumbai artists like Full Power. On Divine’s viral hit Mirchi, he even partnered with Jamaican dancehall artist Stylo G.

D’Evil

An alumnus of Gully Gang, D’Evil is a respected figure in the Mumbai circuit. While other rappers focus on their hustle in a formulaic motivational formula, D’Evil relies on satirical flows and witty wordplay to talk about his life and his city. Kaan Check, Hip-Hop Bajega are some of his essentials while his recent track Todun Taak also appeared on the soundtrack for the Farhan Akhtar starrer Toofan.

Vasudev

From Meri Gully Mei to Chal Bombay, Divine has made his love for Mumbai pretty evident. It is common to find rappers all over the country representing their city and telling its everyday stories. In this regard, Vasudev is an interesting artist to check out as his Ghaziabad Mixtape and Red Line and Blue Line EP both explore the NCR regions of Ghaziabad and Delhi. The latter two even incorporates the theme of a metro ride as Vasudev moodily croons and raps on life in a journey that ends at various stations.

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Nucleya

Arguably one of India’s greatest new-wave DJs, Nucleya went from being a Bandish Projekt member to a solo act of his own with highprofile collaborations ranging from Ritviz to Divine. With the MC, Nucleya first collaborated the bass-heavy Scene Kya Hai. They joined forces yet again for Anurag Kashyap’s boxing drama Mukkabaaz for which Divine rapped the adrenaline-fueled Paintra.

Ace

Mumbai’s Finest is one of the city’s oldest hip-hop crews, actively represented by veteran MC Ace. With the crew producing music since 2006, Ace has been similar to Divine in the sense that he too has been rapping about the city as his muse. Har Gam Mei Khushi Hai and Awaara are some popular tracks by him along with Yaara, a multi-artist collaboration under Oscar-winner AR Rahman.

Nitesh aka Nick

Nitesh aka Nick is a Chandigarhbased rapper who raps about love and life in both his current city and his native state of Himanchal Pradesh. With Divine’s MOOSEDRILLA and Drill Wali Baatcheet, the rapper is bringing the UK-based drill rap style towards the mainstream Indian market. However, Nitesh has been playing around with drill beats from way back with songs like Roshni, Karu Mai Flex, and Afwah.

Afkap

While Gully Gang’s members are mostly rappers with similar themes to explore, visual artists and musician Afkap presents a mellower and chilled-out sound for the team’s lineup. He has dropped two singles yet, Kyuyu and Ainaa, both of which make perfect additions to your playlist if you are in an introspective mood. So, if you’re saturated with Divine’s constant energy, Afkap can provide a good break.

Sez On The Beat

A godfather figure of Indian hip-hop, Delhi-based producer Sez On The Beat is the one who produced the beats for the trendsetting hip-hop anthem Meri Gully Mei, a track that turned Naezy and Divine into forces to be reckoned with. Sez has been constantly putting out music since then producing Seedhe Maut’s debut album Bayaan along with individual releases under his MVMNT banner.

Ankur Tewari

Ankur Tewari was the mind behind the soundtrack of Gully Boy, the film inspired by and featuring Divine’s music. Apart from serving as a music supervisor on the film, Tewari has been constantly putting out music individually and with his band The Ghalat Family. Yaaron, Zaalim Alien, Dil Beparvah (with Prateek Kuhad) are some of his essential tracks to check out.

Sikander Kahlon

Mohali-bred rapper Sikander Kahlon has been a big name in the desi hip-hop scene for a long time, collaborating with Divine last year for Bandana Gang. Kahlon has a massive discography that includes 17 projects (EPs, mixtapes, and albums combined)!

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Artist of the month

Seasonal Affected Beats › Talk to us about your new single, ‘To Bend or Break and how it came to be?

It started with a little piano theme I wrote during the first lock down which turned into a more elaborate sketch with synths, drums and different sections. I sat with that for a while but I couldn’t im-agine it being only an improvised instrumental track and then it struck me that Luka would be ideal to feature on the track. Now that the track is out I can’t believe how it all started with just a pi-ano sketch and a thought and appreciation for another artist sitting 7000kms away that you wish to collaborate with!

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› The track features the

Dutch singer-songwriter Luka. How did the collaboration happen? Where did you hear Luka for the first time? I’ve been following Luka’s music since 2018 when I first came across a live video of her track ‘River’ on Youtube, which I really liked. Since then I’ve been wanting to work with her and I felt ‘In Song’ would be the ideal way for us to collaborate. We connected through our respective managers and she really liked the demo that I’d sent her. Through Zoom writing sessions we started to get to know each other and both of us deeply resonated with the subject of the current climate crisis which became

the driv-ing force behind the track. It’s been such a wonderful experience to collaborate and work with her and I can’t wait to actually meet her in person! I hope we continue to make more music together and maybe even perform live someday!

› We are excited for your

upcoming 3 track EP. Could you elaborate a bit more and tell us what we can look forward to? This EP is really special as it features the song-writer side of me that typically my listeners may be don’t identity my music with. At heart I am a sonic-story teller and what better way to tell stories through music and lyrics.

This EP is more than just music for me, it’s a message and I’ve at-tempted to create a sonic representation of the experience we’ve had in the pandemic through these songs. I really hope it comes through and people like the music.

› You are focussing on

important subjects like climate change and its impact on humanity via this. Tell us more about why you feel com-pelled to make music about it as well? Climate crisis has always been at the heart of the music that I make as Seasonal Affected Beats. I am simply unable to write about an-other subject, especially when I read about the floods in UP or the recent raging wildfires in Greece and Turkey due to extreme heat. The recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that “It is unequivocal that human influ-ence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land” and that this is 'code red for humanity'. It is extremely challenging to write music that reflects the urgency and our responsibility towards climate change. However, with small steps like learning and educating myself over the past year and at-tempting to engage with this subject by including it in my music, lyrics and artistic works has been cathartic and rewarding.

› How did the pandemic

situation enable you to create this remotely with your collaborators? I feel the pandemic definitely made it easier to collaborate remotely which in the pre-pandemic world would’ve been impossible, espe-cially considering our tour schedules and time difference.

Rapid Fire

I feel words add another dimension to the music and this EP is primarily driven by a strong focus on songwriting.

A topic you would like to explore and create music on in the future Digital existentialism. Which skills have you gained that help you perform effectively as a musician? Improvisation. Who’s your ideal musician to collaborate with? Ah, there are many but I definitely want to collaborate with Josin, Hania Rani and TM Krishna. Tell us about your favourite performance in your career. It was the last concert on our Europe tour in Muri, Switzerland at the end of 2019. It was truly special because the sound I’d been envisioning for the band over the last few years really came to life on that tour and especially in that concert. Con-sidering that was the last concert with the band just before the pandemic hit, it'll always be a special one.

The pandemic also allowed us to re-imagine our creative processes, creative choices and collaborations as the world suddenly felt small-er during the lockdowns.

› Describe your creative

process when you write new music. My intention as a sonic story teller is always to capture moments in time through sound and for that I have to be very patient and pre-sent with my surroundings before I can even begin a creative pro-cess. For me a lot of the times themes, titles and stories come first and then the music follows. Each note or a chord is a character and a section of a song is a new scene or a chapter. It’s a very slow pro-cess at times and at times the entire song happens in one session. Also each EP and album has a unique creative process but mostly my creative process is a process built on Riyaz and saadhna where I am not trying to create but learn and be a student of music.

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MUSIC AND NATURE Written by: Nithya Rajendran, a dual Indian Classical vocalist in Hindustani and Carnatic music with over 3 decades training. She is founder and curator of Music Vruksh, an initiative to spread awareness and appreciation of Inidan Classical music for its aesthetic, spiritual, wellness and transformative potential.

Ramtanu Pandey was wandering around the palace gardens of emperor Akbar one monsoon evening. It was a cloudy day, foretelling the rains; the sky was pregnant and dark grey. It was then that Ramtanu heard a peculiar sound of a bird. The sound oscillated between what would later be coined as Kaisiki Nishadam and Kakali Nishadam (Carnatic) or Komal and Shuddh Nishad (Hindustani). Mesmerized and drawn to this special sound, Ramtanu closed his eyes and within minutes composed what is now known as Raag Miyan Malhar. This raag to this day is sung during monsoons. Miyan stands for 'Miyan Tansen' - the name with which Akbar anointed Ramtanu when he became one of the Ratnas or jewels of Akbar's court. This anecdote is one among many that testify to the connection between nature and music. There are legends about how the sound of Tansen singing Raag Deepak could light a thousand lamps. In Carnatic music, Raagam Amridavarshini is supposed to herald rain. Raag Sarang of Hindustani music was born in the hot deserts of Rajasthan and is still sung in the afternoon or in summer time. Boopalam in Carnatic music, with its 'gambhir' or heavy notes, signifies the wee

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hours of dawn when the sky and nature wait with bated breath for the sun to come out. Raagas like Bhairav, Aahir Bhairav and Vibhaas of Hindustani do the same. Raagas like Puriya Dhanashree and Puriya Kalyan come to life in the evening twilight where the mix of flat and sharp notes of the Raagas mirror the interplay between day and night that twilight symbolizes. There connection between classical music and nature goes back a long way. The seven notes of the Indian music scale, Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni are believed to have originated from the sounds of different animals and birds like elephants, peacocks, goats, the cuckoo and so on. The connection with nature does not end here. The Vedas, the birthplace of Indian classical music, include chants which were composed as odes to the powerful life forces of nature including the sun, the moon and the stars. Also included are verses that express obeisance to the elements that make up our earth, and by extension our bodies, namely fire, earth, air and water. The evolution of Indian musical scales from the Samaveda is confirmed by historical texts.

Why is this important for us to know? This is important because from time immemorial, nature has been the best reservoir of physical and mental well-being. The grand beauty of nature has a powerful healing effect on stresses and maladies. A walk on fresh dewy grass with the backdrop of mountains and valleys filled with flowers has an almost magical effect on anyone in a stressful state of mind. When we start to experience Indian classical music not just as music but as a way to connect deeply and spiritually to nature, and by extension to God, we can truly begin to appreciate the depth of this art-form. Then the process of spiritual and physical healing can begin in such a natural and organic way that we will not even realize that it is happening. Let us begin to swim in the ocean of notes and feel the warmth of a Taal like a baby in the womb feels the beat of the mother’s heart. Let us feel the cool breeze of Kalpana Swaras and Taans and the firm earthy grounding that the Swara 'Sa' gives at the end of a performance. Let us experience the magic of nature through Indian classical music.

NAVYA C

KANUPRIYA MODI

NFT & Music: A New Digital Revolution or A Seasonal Trend

There’s a lot of buzz about NFT (Non-Fungible Token). Nonfungible essentially means something unique which cannot be replaced. NFTs can be anything digital (right from drawings, music, and so on. There has been a rage about art NFTs all across the globe. However, Music NFTs are soon catching up. There are various people who have encouraged and brought the Music NFTs in the forefront. The NFT landscape is up for disruption and experimentation with people immersed in this trend which is taking a form of a revolution. In late April, Metakovan, a Singaporean-Tamil entrepreneur purchased an NFT of Tamil singer-composer Kaber Vasuki’s 2012 demo version of a song called ‘Vasanam’ for the price of 50 ethereum, a cryptocurrency which amounts to ₹1.5 crore at the time of sale.

artists with incredible sums of moolah. Disruption leads to change and change brings in empowerment. That’s exactly what NFT in music is doing. It is empowering musicians and moving away from the existing business models. It is indeed outstanding to see artists breaking the boundaries and making it big in the digital world. Innovation has always led to the evolution of the human race. Digital has brought in the 4th Industrial Revolution with immense scope for growth and experimentation. Artists across genres would benefit with the umpteen possibilities in the world of NFTs.

However, one cannot predict if this is a seasonal trend or a digital revolution so soon. Time will tell how we harness the potential of the digital world and reap the benefits of a Just like how NFTs disruptive system. As long as it empower artists, they’re also serves the interest of the artist empowering for musicians with community, it’s here to stay. patronage of a different kind. Internationally, musicians The lines between the real and like Grimes, Deadmau5, Mike digital world are soon blurring Shinoda, Kings of Leon, RAC, and a new reality is about to among others, have been very be the new normal. Making active in this sphere. heads turn with exceptional art, artists are exploring a new Dallas-based Verdigris realm of success and growth. Ensemble created the ‘Betty’s If the momentum continues Notebook’, a multi-layered, to pick up, the NFT in music multimedia choral piece, would be super sensational. which was taken by Metapurse, Innovation is always welcome the world’s largest NFT fund in a world of new possibilities. for $2,15,989 (56.56 ETH), but Experimenting is the new the sale was for more than definition of success. US$375,000 in total. For now, one piece of advice for More and more musicians the musicians: Go ahead, make are taking up the challenge path-breaking music and you and trying to experiment never know, your music could with music to make it to the fetch you millions! Let’s keep auctions. It’s an interesting an eye on what lies ahead for space with so much to explore this world. and innovate. There are connoisseurs who value the art and are willing to reward the The

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SHAURYA SINGH THAPA

A STILL FROM BOLE CHUDIYAN'S VIDEO

GLOBAL HITS That Sampled INDIAN SONGS

Toxic by Britney Spears

A STILL FROM THE VIDEO FOR DUM MAARO DUM

ARIJIT SINGH

COVER FOR THE SOUNDTRACK OF DON

Britney Spears' Toxic is an iconic club-banger and arguably one of the pop idol's best works. The most identifiable part of the song is the hauntingly high-pitched strings riff that was sampled directly from the Laxmikant-Pyarelal song Tere Mere Beech Mein. Composed for the film Ek Duuje Ke Liye, it was sung by legendary vocalists Lata Mangeshkar and S.P. Balasubramanyam. Laxmikant-Pyarelal's work also got featured on rapper Playboi Carti's Go2DaMoon that incorporated the duo's Soul of Bobby (Theme) from the film Bobby.

Whoopity by CJ Sanam Re is one of the many Arijit Singh songs that were released in the late 2010s. But who in their wildest thoughts might have thought that Sanam Re would serve as the leading sample for the drill rap scene abroad? CJ's Whoopity made use of Arijit Singh's hums on Sanam Re and performed a drill flow against it, a trend that was carried on by may other rappers. As Whoopity became a smashing hit on TikTok, interest in Sanam Re regenerated.

What's Happenin by Method Man feat Busta Rhymes

LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL

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Method Man and Busta Rhymes are both established rappers in their own regard. Hence, it's a major moment when producer DJ Scratch decided to go back to Bollywood's vintage roots for the two MCs, relying on Dum Maaro Dum. The

title track of the Dev Anand film of the same name, the Asha Bhosle and Usha Iyer-sung composition became a cult "hippie" anthem in its time. The sample taken is a psychedelic guitar riff by RD Burman.

Don't Phunk With My Heart By Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas' dramatic track on a toxic relationship interpolates not just one but two vintage Indian songs. This includes and " Ae Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan and Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana, both recorded by Asha Bhosle, composed by Kalyanji Anandji, and with lyrics written by Indeewar. While the former was from Apradh, the latter was from Amitabh Bachchan's Don. Interestingly, both were also action thrillers from the 70s. Black Eyed Peas alumnus Will.I.Am would also go on to sample AR Rahman's Urvasi Urvasi for his pop number It's My Birthday.

Jalebi Baby and Young Shahrukh by Tesher Indian-origin Canadian artist Tesher has made his career out of sampling and remixing Bollywood songs. In Jalebi Baby's case, he used Jalebi Bhai while Young Shahrukh incorporated a sample of Bole Chudiyan. Both songs turned out to be such smash hits that Tesher became an overnight sensation on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels. If that wasn't enough, even Jason Derulo joined forces with him for a recent remix of Jalebi Baby.

VISHNUPRIYA

5 artists that took the music industry by storm The past year has seen the rise of many artists capturing the hearts of ardent music listeners with the versatile styles and genres they come up with. It is in no doubt that with the hold they have over the music industry, they are sure to make an impact in the future of it.

1. Olivia Rodrigo

Making relatable music and absolute bangers, Olivia has surely made her spot on your playlist. The 18-year-old singer has broken records at a young age proving her potential as an artist. With her song Driver’s License, Rodrigo became a sensation thanks to the raw emotion and feel she delivered in the song. People of different age groups found it touching and relatable, making her a very relevant artist. She succeeded in building her fan base with another hit, Good 4 U becoming the perfect song to overcome your blues with its rock-based beats and salty lyrics. Her debut album “Sour” with equally amazing songs also brought more laurels to the singer.

2. Tomorrow by Together

The 3-year-old K-pop group has had an amazing year at the billboard charts with their second studio album The Chaos Chapter: Freeze being at a stable position for over 13 weeks. The distinct sound and numerous genres encompassed into an album really shows their calibre as artists and as strong contenders in the future game of music. Their recent release “0x1=Love song” is a different take on the tragedies of love with a rock feel accompanied with creative lyrics and great vocals. Everything about the band showcases their unique talents and their growth as humans and artists through time. The quintet has also spoken about and expressed their views on representing the generation they belong to and the struggles they face as new adults in the world.

3. Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X has made it very sure that he is not here to leave with his strong presence and attitude in his music. The 22-year-old artist has made a very deep impact with the statements he makes through music and the credibility of his talent. Overcoming oppositions from every angle, Lil Nas X has emerged successful every time by making bold representations of who he is and what he stands for. From his super hit song “Old town Road” to his recent release “Industry Baby” all his works have made a place on the charts showing that he has the support from the public even after the harsh criticisms made on his identity.

4. Doja Cat

The reigning Tik Tok queen is behind almost every trending song on social media with her fun tunes and very distinct vocals. Every release of hers is made into a viral dance moves thanks to the groovy beats and vocals in her songs. Her light, jolly and quirky personality are very well represented through her tracks making its listeners have a break from the seriousness of life. Without doubt her talents have taken her to great heights and are sure to do the same in the future as well.

5. Megan Thee stallion

Building her own brand as the “hot girl coach” Stallion has made an impression on the general public. Her smooth rap skills and exploding confident attitude take over the stage on all her performances, never failing to deliver exactly what the audience are looking for. Her dance moves and stage presence are exemplary, complimenting her raunchy songs. Being a Grammy winning artist very early into her career, Megan has become the people’s favourite in just a few years, achieving what many other artists have not over time.

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VISHNUPRIYA

Fashion And Music

- An exquisite alliance Art has always been a ubiquitous solace for people across the globe, across time and across interests. A form of expression, a way of representation in all different sorts of ways and without Music and fashion have always been predominant part takers in this idea. Be it through the creativity, range, or reach, music and fashion have carried their admirers to places of comfort all through the years. Connecting with people on an artistic level, Music and Fashion undoubtedly have a very interesting relationship.

cultures, countries and communities making a path for themselves and stylising it their unique sense, fashion and music have become an inclusive argon of the world. From the beautiful Bharatnatyam attire that moves along with the strict beat of the Carnatic music to the gowns that flow along the symphonies of the ballroom, every corner of the world has either made their identity or have been inspired to make their identities through music and fashion.

Beacons of representation and identity

Art, over the years, has become a complex and intimidating concept is believed to be potentially analysed and enjoyed only by experts. Although it has become more accessible and wide reached through media and the efforts taken by different artist, the intimidation still remains. This idea of art being something far away is simplified by the music and fashion industry. Every trendy piece of clothing and every popular song brings us closer to the idea behind it, to its art. It helps us reach make our own deductions and enjoy it in our own

While being a safe haven for million across the world, both music and fashion have let a lot of creativity flow through their bodies, regardless of who they are, where they are from, and their background. With different

Art- Everywhere, every day through music and fashion

way. It shows us that art is not a pretentious snob but a warm friend we see every day, and this is the very essence of art. Fashion in the run ways is not the only fashion we see, and classical music concerts are not the only music that exists in the world. They have been reinterpreted, reimagined, and produced more

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vibrantly according to the different tastes and interests of people around the world, further justifying that art is for everyone and can be enjoyed every day in your own sense.

Music in Fashion, Fashion in Music

With the commercialisation of the world, it is hard to draw lines between different sects of art, maybe that is its beauty. Creativity can be expressed in so many forms and sometimes these forms together enhance each other. Fashion and Music are two such aspects. It is without doubt that these industries have been interlinked on multiple occasions before. From the mood fitting music of fashion shows and the incorporation of high fashion for the better implication of music, these act as each other’s catalyst.

A communion of artists

Bringing together people is nothing new for music and fashion. Building relationships, communicating ideas, putting minds together to build something creative and impactful are all common ideas that blur the line between the two sects. Events like the Met Gala are testimonies to this. People from different artistic backgrounds coming together as a party to celebrate their passionsmusic, fashion, and art. The themes that are introduced give yet another way for different ideas and styles of creativity blossom every year. Being in a fast-paced world leaves very less room for recreation and even lesser space for creativity to grow. Seeing, feeling, and enjoying the intricacies of life is the true joy of it, just like the complex connections in music and fashion.

EASWARAN ANANTRAM

INDIAN SCIENTIFIC MUSIC TIME THEORY OF MUSIC – PART 2 We have seen in the previous articles how every note has a specific emotion to substantiate and every raga has a mood to establish In the last article we learnt about “Prahar” as the unit of time. Eight prahars throughout the day spread out as 4 for the day and 4 for the night The ragas are performed as per the mood of the time. That’s right! Every time has a mood attached to it. Let’s check them out now:

1. Prahar 1: The early morning – pre-sunrise twilight. The scene that comes to our mind is a red-sky, the sparrows chirping and a few crows cawing. People getting up from their slumber. Not fresh yet, a melancholic feel to getting up, there is every morning. Isn’t it? This is best described by ragas with a Komal Re, Komal Ga and Komal Dha – Bhairav and its types like Ahir bhairav, Nat Bhairav, etc., Todi and its types – Miyan ki todi, Gujari todi, etc. Listening to these ragas definitely will calm you down and remind you of the dawn. 2. Prahar 2: Morning. The sun is up and you’re on your way to work. The sun’s yellow rays shine to bless all living beings, invigorating isn’t it? The notes also change to depict this scene. This prahar is dominated by ragas with the Shuddha Rishabh, Shuddha Gandhar and Shuddha Dhiavat. The moods change from a melancholy to a happy tune, reminding us of the beauty of life. The ragas include: Bilawal and its types – Shuddha bilawal, Alhaiya Bilawal, Devgiri Bilawal, etc. 3. Prahar 3: Afternoon starts and so does the Sun’s journey towards the west. Ragas here are a combination of peace (of having your lunch)

and a happiness. The Raga type of Sarangs falls into the afternoon raga category – Brindavani Sarang, Shuddha Sarang, Miyan ki Sarang, etc., The Komal Ga also slowly takes into prominence as the sun is going down. Ragas like Bhimpalas and Patdeep are also late afternoon ragas 4. Prahar 4: Late afternoon and early evening. The working class is most agitated during this time. Eager to go home and getting work done for the day. Tivra madhyam gains prominence and komal Ga retains its stance. Re remains shuddha for most part of this. Ragas that are performed during this prahar include – Madhuvanti, Madhmad Sarang, Multani and more 5. Prahar 5: Early evening twilight to darkening and setting of the sun. People returning home from a gruelling day’s work. Komal Re again takes over while the Dha alternates between komal and shuddha. The Tivra madhyam keeps its prominence. Ragas during this time include – Marwa, Puriya Dhanashree, Yaman, Bhoop etc,

prominence is replaced by the Shuddha Madhyam’s love again. Shuddha Re and Shuddha Dha show up again. Ragas include – Des, Hamsadhwani, Bageshree 7. Prahar 7: This is when the midnight starts. The gentle & tiring darkness takes over putting people to sleep. The ragas here are – Durbari Kanada, Hindol, Jog Kauns, Malkauns, Malgunji. Dha takes over a Komal stance here to portray the tranquillity of the night 8. Prahar 8: The night to pre-daw twilight time. The Darkness at its maximum before the sun comes back on. Komal Re takes over again. Madhyam slowly alternates between shuddha and tivra. Ragas during this time include: Sohini, Lalit, Bhatiyar, Lalit-Bhatiyar. And hence, the cycle continues. Hope, reading this article was fun. But I would say, why not try searching for these ragas on the net and give it a listen yourself? Why listen to the words of a random writer? Happy Reading!

6. Prahar 6: The late evening and early night time. Dinner with your loved ones. Everyone’s happy. Tired but happy. Tivra madhyam’s

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SHAURYA SINGH THAPA

MOHIT CHAUHAN PLAYING GUITAR WHILE STANDING ON WATER IN THE VIDEO FOR DOOBA DOOBA

MOHIT CHAUHAN

SILK ROUTE

Silk Route’s Dooba Dooba offered an early glimpse of Mohit Chauhan’s future glory: SCORE INDIE CLASSICS In an interview, Bollywood playback vocalist Mohit Chauhan revealed how he would have been a farmer if being a singer wasn’t in his cards. Well, we can be thankful that in this timeline, Chauhan went on to be the exceptional musician that he is. But before singing as Janardhan Jhakkad for Rockstar, Chauhan was just one of the many indie singers of the 1990s, fronting one of the many indie bands of the time.

Dooba continues to induce nostalgia amongst many a 90s kid, especially if they grew up listening to non-film Hindi music of that decade.

As the title suggests, Dooba Dooba was a smooth number about a person falling in love (and sinking in his romantic partner’s eyes is to get more metaphorical). The lyrics also point to a distance between the singer and his lover and he asks his beloved to step out of a photograph and pay him Fronting Silk Route, the rock a visit. ensemble also included Atul Mittal on Taking the concept literally, the lead guitars, Kem Trivedi on the keys, video was also shot at a pond-like Kenny Puri handling the percussion. setting as the band members stand Apart from lending his silky-smooth over half-sinking cares. Then towards voice, Chauhan also played backing the middle, Chauhan ends up going guitars for the band. underwater to find a mermaid swimming in the depths. Dropping two albums Boondein (1998) and Pehchaan (2000), Silk Role With influences such as Dire Straits had a notable albeit a short-lived and Sting, Silk Route’s magnum opus career. But their breakout hit Dooba is a feel-good song about love that

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arguably would go down as one of the most iconic indie-pop songs. Apart from Chauhan’s aforementioned vocals, the finger picking on the guitar and the flute portions are other highlights. Following the success of Dooba Dooba, the soft rock outfit did release a sophomore album and recorded music in the early 2000s. The band dissolved soon after this and Chauhan instead found a marketable venture into Bollywood. The rest, as they say, is history. With no future plans for a band, Chauhan continues singing iconic songs ranging from Delhi-6’s Masakali to Jab We Met’s Tumse Hi. But he still owes his career to Dooba Dooba, a song that truly made him who he was.

Music with a side of our favourite fast-food chain? Yes, please

MANYA MASIWAL

Music and fast food have been a big part of pop culture for decades and their amalgamation has revolutionised how collaborative deals work for music artists. Pop music and fast food, rightly holding cultural significance, are something you don’t seem to get enough of and seeing them come together is always a delight for the people who love both. In recent years, fast-food chains have been partnering with global artists to give their audience a customised fan experience. Musician x Food Chain collaborations help the artist reach a wider audience through merchandising and enable the fast-food chain to grow its customer base, attracting an artist’s fans.

Here are some of the most iconic collaborations between music artists and fast-food chains: Travis Scott and McDonald’s

This collaboration was a part of the ‘Famous Orders’ program by McDonald’s where they asked celebrities what their McDonald’s order was. The conversation began during Superbowl and turned into a partnership with Travis Scott, one of the most influential hip-hop artists of today. In September 2020, McDonald’s launched Travis’s ‘Cactus Jack’ combo which was a quarterpound burger with his favourite ingredients. The combo was completed with fries and a Sprite. The meal got so famous that McDonald’s faced a shortage of Quarter Pounders. This endeavour boosted McDonald’s sales by 4.6% and the rapper made $20 million during the endorsement.

Lil Nas X and Taco Bell

American rapper and ‘Montero’ hitmaker Lil Nas X has recently been appointed the Chief Impact Officer at Taco Bell. This is an honorary role that will allow him to partner with the brand from the inside out. Last month, Nas was a part of their Toasted Breakfast Burrito campaign.

The Grammy award winner used to work at Taco Bell during high school and believes that it has helped him build a sense of responsibility and great friendships. He also featured the restaurant in the music video of his recent single ‘Sun Goes Down’.

Benny Blanco and Shake Shack

Benny Blanco, to celebrate the release of his album ‘Friends Keep Secrets 2’, launched a special nacho burger in collaboration with the culinary director of Shake Shack, Mark Rosati. The burger was available at the joint’s West Hollywood outlet for one day where they went to promote it. Blanco and Rosati bonded over their love for food and worked out a recipe for the burger which included Shake Shack’s ranch dressing with crumbled Cool Ranch Doritos, scallions and a secret condiment created by Benny.

BTS and McDonald’s

This collaboration shook the entire music and food industry, with almost every McDonald’s outlet around the world facing a shortage of this meal. In May 2021, McDonald’s came up with ‘The BTS Meal’ in collaboration with BTS, a Korean boyband.

This meal included the members’ favourites: 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with sweet chilli and Cajun dipping sauces, medium fries, and a Coke. The dipping sauces were inspired by South Korean McDonald’s and made a debut worldwide. With concept photos, lunch parties, launch dates for cities around the world and behind the scenes for the video shoots, the fast-food chain wanted to give fans the K-Pop culture experience during the launch. This meal was available in more than 50 countries and resonated well with the customers.

Chipotle and Shawn Mendes

In January 2021, Chipotle, the famous Mexican food chain, partnered with singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes for a burrito bowl to benefit the Shawn Mendes Foundation. The bowl included cilantro-lime cauliflower rice, black beans, chicken, roasted chillicorn salsa, romaine lettuce, and guacamole. The food chain decided to donate $1 to his foundation for every Shawn Mendes Bowl sold between January 14 and January 28. The

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BASS SUSTAIN

- TIPS TO DO IT BETTER When it comes to the musical elements of a song, bass, and bass players are pretty underrated. Even among bass players, bass sustain is not a high priority. If you're playing parts like the intro to "Panic Attack" or "Hammer Smashed Face," the bass sustain isn't really something that matters that much, but there may be times when you have to record a ballad or something that requires sustained notes because of its sonic texture. If you play funeral doom metal, you really need sustain. We will discuss how you can improve your bass sustain here.

Alter pickup height

The distance between the strings and the pickups not only affects their tonality; it also plays an important role in the amount of sustain you will have. With your pickups too close to the strings, their magnetic effect will dampen the vibratory capacity of the strings. As you lower the pickups (easy to do with an ordinary screwdriver), the magnetic effect weakens and your strings will hold for longer. As you lower the pickups, you will also slightly reduce their output. It's really worth listening critically as you adjust your pickups, finding the best balance of output and sustain for your style.

Change strings

You may find that your pickups do not provide the sustain you are looking for at any height. If you're using old strings, putting in new strings will help things a bit, but it's not economically practical to try dozens of string types in search of more sustain. There are multiple things to do with your bass before you go down the signal c hain.

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Fix hardware issues

Your bass strings only touch the bass at a few places, namely, the tuning machines, the nut, the bridge, and the tailpiece. If any of these components are loose, they will reduce the overall resonance, damping the vibration of the strings. Ensure that your bridge hardware is taut and rattle free. Buzz from the saddle can reduce sustain drastically. The nut is pretty much a set and forget component, but you do have a plastic nut on your bass. Remember, the correct setup is key to great bass sustain.

Use compressor pedals to sustain

The compressor pedals give you control over the dynamic range of your instrument. By applying compression to your bass tone, you can effectively add sustain. A simple compressor pedal offers studioquality compression with minimal setup. Or you can go for a sustainfocused pedal. It's essentially a compressor too, but having a specific knob labeled Sustain can eliminate some of the confusion when it comes to dialing it in.

If you're not yet experienced with using compression, it may be a rabbit hole to dive into.

Get a little creative

The techniques we've discussed so far will definitely help add sustain to your bass, without changing its center tone. But what if you don't want it to sound like a typical bass? What if you want the kind of sustained buzz you'd get from a bowed cello? You can hold certain devices next to a string and the string will get excited. It's a distinctive sound and is best suited to more adventurous styles of music. If you don't want to alter your playing style, there are some pedals that will create a micro-loop of whatever note you are holding, holding it until the effect is turned off.

There is no single way to sustain the bass.

If your instrument is in tip-top shape and you just want more spaciousness and sustain, add a simple compressor pedal. If you are one of the highly creative and adventurous types, you should get a sustained pedal or handheld device.

AKARSH SHEKHAR

6 TIPS TO SPICE UP YOUR DIGITAL RECORDINGS WITH ANALOG VIBES While digital audio recording provides a lot of benefits, nobody can deny the fact that the sound is always a bit sterile. While air fried chicken might taste good, it does lack the magic of traditionally fried chicken. Air popped popcorn can’t really taste great until you add some butter and salt to it. Making your digital tracks sound analog isn’t a completely scientific process. There are a lot of tools available for this and sound engineers can use it differently.

CLEAN VS COLOURED RECORDINGS

Before we get on with our tips, let’s discuss the age old debate first. There are two sides to this debate. Some engineers believe that they should record clean and add colour later while some believe that you should record with the colour that you want and layer tracks onto the finished sounds.

1. PLUG-IN PROCESSOR EMULATIONS Plug-in Processor Emulations at a Glance: • • • • •

Most sound very good Far less expensive than hardware Can be used on multiple tracks at once Instantly recall settings Automation support

2. HARDWARE SEND/RETURN LOOPS Hardware Send/Return Loops at a Glance: • • • • •

Benefits of analog circuitry Infinitely variable settings Can add cohesion to stems Inexpensive options available 500 Series modules let you create custom rigs

•

Both of these methods work in their own ways. They also come with their own flaws. While recording clean will give you the most options in the mix, the effects of emulation on cleanly recorded audio aren’t always exactly what you’re looking for. This doesn’t mean that emulations are bad on their own. It’s because you won’t be able to dial in the source for the coloration you’re going to add. Don’t forget, adding analog colouration in the mix and exploring options after recording takes up a lot of time. It’s definitely quite beneficial to get analog vibes while you are recording but it doesn’t work for people with budget limitations. Digital is the dominant recording format these days. However, you don’t have to worry too much about it. There are a wide variety of affordable options for you to add analog vibes to your music mix. Here are some tips to help your digital recordings sound analog:

Tape emulation offers the darker punch of odd-order harmonics Console emulation tends to provide warm even-order tube/transistor harmonics Work wonderfully when used on every track or submix/ stem

4. SUMMING MIXERS Summing Mixers at a Glance: • • •

•

Allow you to sum analog signals Unify the sound of your mix Introduce some harmonics that provide telltale analog character Work well with track plug-ins and other processors used in mixing Options include summing amps and specialized mixers

3. HARMONICS PLUG-INS •

•

Add analog flavor without directly emulating specific hardware Provide cohesiveness to your mix

5. ANALOG BUS PROCESSORS Analog Bus Processors at a Glance: •

• •

Compressors and EQs are perfect for this process Specific finalizer or harmonics exciter processors available. Combine processors for better or more detailed effects You can get great results with even inexpensive gear

6. FINALIZING/MASTERING PLUG-INS An inexpensive yet effective alternative to hardware summing and bus processing, finalizing and mastering plug-ins like iZotope Ozone and Toontrack EZmix can comfortably take the digital sterility out of your mix. There are numerous plug-ins that are designed for this purpose and they can manage everything ranging from dynamics and EQ to harmonic exciters. Some things are as straightforward as using the correct limiter or multiband compressor on your mix bus.

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AKARSH SHEKHAR

Tips to Build the Perfect PA System A public address system is a team that is responsible for reproducing voice messages or music through loudspeakers strategically placed in the corresponding building. The usual thing is to connect the system to a hard disk, a USB memory or some other computer storage system. The loudspeakers are usually distributed over the entire surface where the people destined to listen to the corresponding messages will later be located.

What makes up a PA system?

There are basically three. The first is the switchboard, which allows you to control the volume, connect a peripheral or stop playback to broadcast a specific message. The speakers, which can be connected to the previous part by Bluetooth or by a wireless Internet network, are the second. There are several types, being the ceiling and the wall the most used. The third key part is the sound amplifier. Its power will be marked by the number of speakers connected to the system.

What are the different types of public address systems? Yes. Within the public address system, there is analog, it is used mainly in places of reduced dimensions, such as supermarkets or leisure centers. The digital version uses IP technology, with systems that can be centralized or

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not, and is the most widely used alternative in places where you have to send messages to users recurrently. A public address system can be used in an office, gym, party room or anywhere else where you need to control multiple audio sources through one master control. The main components of a public address system are a mixer to combine multiple sound sources, an amplifier to maximize the volume level, a microphone for the announcer, and speakers to project the sound. Other devices are also connected to play music on the system as well.

enough cable. Connect a microphone or headphones to the mixer via its "Mic" port. This should be a large stereo coaxial port, where the connecting plug is much thicker than a stereo mini plug. A headphone has a second connector that connects to the mixing desk's "Mobile" port. Connect a set of headphones to the "Cell Phones" port if you have connected a separate microphone to the mixer. You need headphones to hear everything you play on the system above the crowd noise.

Connect an audio mixer with three or four channels to an amplifier, or get a mixer with its own built-in amplifier. For a standalone mixeramp combo, connect the amp input to the "AMP" output ports on the mixing console. Use composite RCA audio cables, which have red and white plugs.

Connect additional devices (CD player, MP3 player, radio, or computer with music files) to mixers on other channels. You may need mini-to-RCA cables to connect them, which we have the red and white plugs on one end and the small stereo coaxial connector on the other. Make a note of the channel each device is connected to so you know the dial volume it uses.

Connect as many speakers as necessary to the amplifier. Depending on the ports available for all devices, use either RCA cables or stereo mini-coaxial cables (these have a single plug with two black bands). An amplifier with at least four RCA output ports works best. Place your speakers around the room, and make sure you have

Connect and turn on all devices. Use the mixer to control the volume of whatever channel you are using, making sure your mastery level is at full volume. For example, when using the microphone, turn up its volume level while lowering the volume on other devices that are playing games, such as the CD player.

Build a great PA system

NAVYA C

10 Tips for Students who are Learning

Classical Music Learning Classical Music- whether Carnatic, Hindustani or Western demands the student of certain methodologies to follow for better results. There are many myths relating to the classical music and how to become a better performer among the students- which leads to even more confusion on what has to be followed. The idea of dos and don’ts while learning becomes a worrisome thought. We bring ten effective tips for the students that would greatly help them in excelling to learn Classical Music:

1. Practice, practice and practice: Did we say the term

thrice? Yes. The main reason is because every classical musician emphasizes on this. Without regular and consistent practice, no matter how much the student learns theoretically, it cannot be fruitful and hampers growth. Make sure you practice everyday consistently at least for an hour to maintain the pace and progress better. 2. Listening is Learning: We often put less focus on listening thinking that we have got it right- in limited number of hearings. The art of listening becomes a great path to learn faster and effectively. This also improves focus and memory for the student. Even if you feel you have already got the composition right, make sure you keep listening – something new will definitely be observed through this skill. Every form of classical music emphasizes on ear training. 3. Keep an Open Mind: Most of the learning gets hampered when there is no open mind when it comes to music. Be open to all forms of music, even though you are learning a certain form of music. This clears lot of rigid opinions and accelerates progress in learning. After all, every music form has seven notes- is it not?

4. Listen to the Great Artists: Apart from learning

from the guru, it is important to listen to the legends of classical music to understand how they have excelled in renditions. Learning about great artists, their history and the inspiration for them to excel in music will bring strong motivation to learn better. 5. Understand the difference between “Fusion” and “Confusion”: In the current age where fusion music is ruling the roost, a lot of students find it attractive and feel energized to pursue fusion music as a career. But even in order to do fusion, one must understand the classical form thoroughly. With proper understanding of two different music forms, one can come up with a meaningful fusion. 6. Patience is a Virtue: The biggest myth that surrounds classical music is that- it takes long time to learn and with the tech-led generation, it becomes quite confusing. Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to learning classical music. By learning fundamentals right, the growth becomes exponential for sure. So, hold on there to learn a tough composition and take it like a challenge! 7. Bond with your Guru: Learning classical music is not just like another mechanical skill- and it has higher spiritual impact as well. Bonding with your guru makes the learning process even more enjoyable and fruitful. 8. No End to Learning: Like every art, learning classical music is an eternal process that can cruise through lives. No matter if you get degrees, masters or even PhD in Music, there will be something new to learn. Have an eternal approach towards learning music- and rediscovering its brilliance on every brand new day. 9. Attend Classical Events/Concerts: Make an effort to attend as many live performances as possible to get a grip on how legends perform. Listening from a device can definitely not be compared to listening to live. Every music learner has to experience the thrill of attending a live performance- of select artists that will motivate them even greater to pursue the art. 10. Learn the Cultural and Historic Background: Along with learning a composition, make an effort to learn the cultural significance of the composition- which makes it easy to realize the greatness of it. Irrespective of the religious limitations, understanding a composition in historic perspective greatly improves the performance and learning graph. The

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TURNING THE TABLES: RETURN OF THE

VINYL RECORD

In recent years, several music labels have emerged that, either fully dedicate themselves to the production of vinyl records, such as the Dutch Music On Vinyl or the German Speakers Corner, have either decided to "strongly" consider this format in their catalog, like Analogue Productions, Fonè Records or Tacet, among many others. From this, it can be inferred that only minority labels that aim to reach audiophiles are betting on vinyl records, but nothing could be further from the truth. Even Sony, Columbia, Philips, EMI, and Decca have started focusing on vinyl. Some are produced by these firms (in the case of those that still exist), and others have been reissued by specialized labels, such as Speakers Corner.

ARE NEW ALBUMS AVAILABLE ON VINYL?

On the other hand, some people may think that on new vinyl, and not second-hand, it is only pos-sible to find music of an audiophile nature (classical, jazz, ethnic, etc.), which, moreover, is not exactly recent. Of course, these vinyls can be obtained without difficulty, but many modern rock and pop soloists and bands are also releasing their latest works on vinyl. Albums that are availa-ble for digital download, are available on vinyl as well (even though they are much more expen-sive).

HOW ARE THE SALES FIGURES OF VINYL? It is clear that if new vinyl continues to reach the market, it is because they sell less than CDs,

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and, of course, much less than digital downloads. But they are sold. According to IFPI, a Swiss association representing the interests of 1,300 music companies around the world, vinyl record sales increased 32% in the United States and 101% in the United Kingdom. In countries like Ja-pan, Germany and France, vinyls are also working very well, so it is possible that their numbers are located between those of the United States and the United Kingdom. In particular, in the case of Japan it is possible that they are at a similar level to that of the British because there, on the one hand, they are passionate about hi-fi, and, on the other hand, the hip-ster subculture also has a lot of "pull" among the Japanese.

WHAT MAKES VINYL SPECIAL?

One of the reasons some music fans like to listen to vinyl records is simply because they are drawn to the sound of it. While high definition digital formats also sound fantastic, there is some-thing special about vinyl. We all know that it is more practical and much more comfortable to play a digital medium because if we want vinyl to sound good we have to periodically adjust our turn-table, clean our vinyl almost every time we play it, get up from the sofa to turn the record over when it is over. We save all this when we listen to a CD or a Blu-ray Pure Audio, for example, but this certain discomfort can also be seen as a more peaceful and calm way of listening to music.

Many vinyl fans enjoy this ritual that needs to be carried out before playing each record. Of course, if you don’t have a lot of time in hand, a digital medium is much more practical. It is clear that vinyl records offer us a different way of consuming music. Not better, not worse. Simply different. As we have just seen, they require us to be more dedicated; they do not offer us comforts, such as playlists or the possibility of using a remote control (although there are some exceptions that do incorporate a remote control); they suffer a certain deterioration derived from use. For all this, vinyl records tend to invite us to enjoy them in a different, more reflective and less immediate way, which some people are attracted to, and others are scared away. Another reason why many fans continue to buy vinyl records is collecting. And it is understanda-ble. Anyone who has the opportunity to hold one in their hands for a moment, even if they have not heard it, may realize that the perception of value as an object that can be collected (it does not have to go hand in hand with economic value) is greater than that offered by a CD or any digital medium. The size of the record and the cardboard sleeve that protects it, the image on the cover (which greatly benefits from the larger size of the vinyl), those careful editions with two or more records inside, that invite you to collect them.

AKARSH SHEKHAR THE ROLE OF FASHION AND HIPSTER SUBCULTURE IN THE RISE OF VINYL

As we are seeing, the renaissance of vinyl records cannot be explained from a single perspective. There are many reasons that invite you to bet on them, such as their sound, the possibility of con-suming music in a different way or collecting. Some people have several of these reasons simul-taneously, but there is one more reason that we must also consider, and that does not only affect vinyl: fashion. It is unfair to put everyone "in the same bag", in fact, the reasons that we have dis-cussed before, have nothing to do with fads or passing trends. However, it is very likely that some people, especially younger ones, are attracted to vinyl as a way to differentiate themselves and stand out. This cultural movement emerged in the 90s as a derivative of the original hipster subculture, which was born in the United States in the 40s. Originally, hipsters were those people trained or knowledgeable about African-American culture who defended the value of jazz as a respectable art form. That link with the world of music is still present in some form in today's hipsters, but this relationship is no longer necessarily established with jazz, but with independent music in general. And, in addition, it usually identifies with a way of dressing, behaving and seeing life that shuns everything that is conventional and massively accepted, which is why the hipster subculture cur-rent is broader and more ambiguous than the original. The resurgence of vinyl records is probably a result of everything that we have discussed so far. It is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that they will regain the relevance they had before the CD's arrival, but nothing seems to indicate that the interest that many music fans have in them will be exhausted in the short term. In fact, the most plausible thing is that global sales of vinyl records will continue to rise somewhat more until they stabilize in a relatively comfortable position that allows this market to consolidate more clearly.

BEST TURNTABLES FOR VINYL LOVERS TODAY If you are a lover of vinyl, these are some of the best turntables that you can buy today: AUDIO-TECHNICA ATLP120XBT-USB This is one of the best turntables for starters which is packed with all the features that you will ever need. NUMARK TT250USB A great all rounder that also helps you digitize your vinyl record collection with ease. TECHNICS SL 1500C Built like a tank and sounds fantastic.

DENON DP-300F Top notch fully automatic turntable which is quite affordable. CLEARAUDIO CONCEPT Beautiful, hi fi turntable at mid range prices. MARANTZ TT-15S1 If you want pro level quality, invest in this.

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MANYA MASIWAL

DIY Digital Music Distribution: A guide for independent musicians How to choose a music distribution platform You should choose a platform that would be able to accommodate your music vision and is the best bet for your career plans. All these platforms let you keep the rights to your music. There are a lot of paid and free services to choose from and these are some factors you should consider before choosing a platform: • • • •

Whether you want 100% royalties from your music How many streaming services you would like your music to be distributed to How much you can spend on a single/album release What your marketing/promotion plans are for your music

When you have an answer for all the four factors you need to see what services/plans serve your best interest. Paid platforms like Distro Kid, CD Baby, Tune Core provide these services: • • • • • • •

Distribution of your music to over 150 stores You will receive 100% royalties on your music Approval and release time is way less than free services (3 days to a week) You can customise your release date You get a Hyperfollow Link ie. links to all the streaming platforms on one landing page. Pre-save link for your music Verified Spotify and Apple Music for artists The

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With physical sales of records declining with the acceleration of technology in the music industry, distributing music has never been easier. Gone are the days when artists had to depend on record labels and their manufacturing and distribution (M&D) deal to release their music on streaming services. Digital distribution of music has become accessible and a lot of independent artists are making it big in the industry by DIY-ing their way into fame. If you are an independent musician, you would love to know that the well-known American hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper became the first-ever musician to win a Grammy in 2017 without selling any physical copies of his music. The future of music is digital, and here’s a guide for independent musicians to the world of music distribution:

These services either have per year charges ( $19.99/year for Distrokid) with an opportunity to release unlimited music or per song charges ($9.99/single for CD Baby). They also have additional costs for getting a Youtube Content ID ( $5/song on Distrokid), which is recommended for established artists. Free platforms like Novecore, Routecore, Symphonic provide these services: • • •

Distribution of your music to 15-38 stores You will receive 85% royalties on your music Approval and release may take up to weeks (28 days)

These free platforms are equally trusted but they don’t provide customer service or as many services as the paid options. Some platforms like Novecore and Amuse also have freemium models where a musician can upgrade their plan from free to pro after paying a certain fee. ($5/month for Novecore) For artists who are not technologically well-versed, Amuse has an easy to use mobile application where music can be distributed for free.

How to upload your releases to these platforms Music distribution services are primarily responsible for keeping a check on your streaming data and royalty payouts. For them to upload your music on streaming services they ask you for some details along with your

audio file (mp3 or wav) which are called the metadata of your music. The metadata includes: • • • • • • •

Name of the artist(s) Title (of album or single) Release date of your music Songwriters/Contributors Genre Composer information Artist bio

You should always search for tags and keywords people use in their metadata to get more reach for their music. You will also be asked to select the platforms you want your music to be distributed to. Make sure you choose as many platforms as possible especially Indian services like JioSaavn and Hungama because their userbase is dense and there is not a lot of competition from foreign artists which is not the case for platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora.

ARCHANA LAKRA

4 Songs of Sam Kim FOR YOU TO FALL IN LOVE WITH

Three years ago when Sam was jamming with his friends and wrote “Love me like that”, forging a song out of his raw emotions, he probably didn’t think that, one day , millions of fans around the world would be singing along with him.

Wherever you are, we’re happy So mama don’t worry So mama don’t worry”

The mesmerizing voice behind the OST of Netflix’s viral summer drama Nevertheless is not a new name in industry. But he certainly is not as well known as he should, given his talent.

MAKE UP

Born and raised in the US, Sam is known for a voice that exudes intimacy and is capable of feeling personal to the listener. After moving to Korea at 15, he became the runner-up in the 3rd season of Kpop Star, and was signed by Antenna music. He has a studio album “Sun and Moon”, and an EP “I Am Sam”, as well as multiple singles under his belt. But if you don’t know him, where do you start? With the songs described below.

Mama Don’t Worry

A song that goes straight to your heart, Sam Kim wrote this one for his mom. From the EP, “I Am Sam”, this song was a letter to his mom, written when he came to Korea leaving his family behind. “Seoul night, a night across the ocean Even if you’re far away, we’re happy Missing you tonight, wondering about you tonight

Needless to say, if you’re feeling homesick, you’ll find a friend in this song.

This 2018 release is all about making up after a fight. It explores the terrible feeling of seeing your beloved crying because of you, and trying your best to make things right. Singer-songwriter Crush blends pretty well with Sam, but without being overtaken. He stands out, a perfect foil to Sam’s honeyed vocals. “Yeah, I’ll do better, yeah I get it Please say something I can’t do anything all day You can’t even sigh and Just tell me everything to me, yeahyeah Oh baby, babe, please, hate to see you cry Baby, babe, talk to me Talk to me” If you are looking to shove your ego down the hatch and talk to your loved ones, give it a try.

IT’S YOU

This collaboration with Zico is a very fresh take on being confused if your crush likes you or not. And Zico’s part makes the song more interesting as his verse is like a senior giving advice on what to do. The catchy chorus goes:

“I wanna know just tell me If you really like me What do I do? I think I’m gonna go crazy I need to snap out of it What do I do?” Perfect vibes for someone starting off a relationship. If you are someone who likes to convey messages through songs, send this one to your crush.

LOVE ME LIKE THAT

Fresh off the Netflix OST, this song made ripples still swirling in the mind-oceans of Nevertheless fans. It touches on the vulnerable side of a person, and portrays how we underestimate ourselves, burn ourselves and still want someone to pick us up and love us to perfection while we are being imperfect. “Sunshine left today Got caught in the rain all alone Can you come and pick me up from my blues? Or am I late to ask you? Love me soft and tender” This song is not just for single people but for committed ones too who want a bit more from their partners. The universality of this song is what made it reach more and more people. While there are many more amazing songs in the discography of Sam Kim, these are the ones which will make you start to fall in love with his voice and sound.

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In conversation with

RASHMEET KAUR & GURBAX In conversation with Rashmeet Kaur & Gurbax Rashmeet Kaur-GURBAX’s Maiden Collaboration 'Oceana' Is A Lesson In Self-Empowerment. We had a chat with them about their journey with Kalamkaar, inspiration, and a lot more.

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RASHMEET KAUR: How has your journey with Kalamkaar records been so far?

Kalamkaar is my home label and it feels amazing working with them it's not just a label it's my home as I said it's a family and we brainstorm lot of ideas together and work on them and keep getting better with every song that's our purpose and people connect to it. I think if the feeling comes from within then it reaches to people it connects very well with the listeners. So ya it's like a team, it's like a family.

What inspired you to write Oceana?

I always wanted to work in a sad, romantic zone, soulful has been my vibe from the beginning. This is something I was really looking forward to, something like this to work with. When I heard Oceanas instrumental track for the first time and it instantly came into my mind that this can be the zone I can explore next which I haven't explored yet and it was so much fun working and it's one of my best songs till date I feel

Tell us a little about the music video for Ocean

The music video of Oceana was an incredible journey, it took 20-22 consecutive hours to shoot the entire music video And the memories we separately shot them before the main shoot day. It's definitely an unforgettable experience, I don't knowhow to swim but I did this entire underwater sequence in it and then I became a mermaid to be in this pond full of dry ice, dry ice is not good for skin so it was hard to be in the pond but then I think when there's a will there's a way and we always wanted to make something out of the box video for this song. This music video is unforgettable and one of the best experiences of my life

What music genre are you most comfortable with?

I actually like to explore different genres and it's not just one genre, I've learnt Indian classical and learning is a throughout life process and so I'm still learning I'm gonna learn throughout my life so I keep listening to different genre. Right now I am listening to Afro and LO-FI hip hop and hip hop alot these days so exploring in those directions currently and ofcourse classical is root so I always try to improvise incorporate those learnings in my creations.

Upcoming projects

I'm currently working on my EP, which is going to be my second EP after 'Musafir' my debut EP And alot of collaboration and s also are in progress so wait for it! Stay tuned.

GURBAX: You've been working on this song since 2019. What made you drop the song finally in 2021?

Mainly cause of the delays due to the pandemic. We were ready with the track by late 2020 but the shoot timeline kept getting pushed due to all the restrictions.

How is Oceana different from the rest of your discography?

I feel like all my life I’ve aspired to make something as beautiful as ‘Oceana’. In the past my music has been more beat-centric. ‘Oceana’ is a pivotal track in my journey - it marks a shift towards a more vocal-centric, songwriter-driven sound.

What is the one advice that you would want to give DJs and electronic producers in India?

Main thing id say is balance, especially in the beginning of your pursuit of the arts. Be extremely patient, don’t quit your day job unless you can sustain yourself through your music.

Upcoming projects

Tons of new music. Maybe an album. A US Tour in October. So great ready! 2021 isn’t done yet progress so wait for it! Stay tuned. The

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Why You Should Use Loops Even

When You're Not a DJ Whether you are a DJ or not, as long as you like groove oriented music, loops will be very useful for you. A lot of people have a misconception that grooves are only for DJs, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are five reasons why.

When you need to speed up or slow down a section to accommodate the new timing, anchor your hit points in absolute time and change the tempo so that the loops follow. As long as the tempo changes are not too extreme, the fidelity will be fine.

You can forget about your DAWs metronome Let’s face it, while metronomes are very important, nobody really gets musically inspired by their constant “tick-tick”. If you buy a DAW today, it will most probably come with a vast selection of drum and percussion loops that are an absolute blast. Some of these even have grooves and swing that can bring a beat to life and fuel your creativity. And since most of them stretch with tempo changes, you can experiment with locking in the ideal tempo while still playing real drum sounds, rather than the relentless “tick-tick”.

You can use acoustic drums instead of MIDI

Helps with percussion

A lot of rock musicians like to add the sound of a tambourine in the background of their songs. If you are one of those and if you diligently set up a mic, check the levels, play the part, adjust the timing as needed after recording, and spend at least 30 minutes on the process, you will realize that you actually play a small number of tambourine parts, augmented with the occasional flourish. It’s much more pragmatic to use loops. Just grab the appropriate loop, rearrange if necessary for more variety, drag in a couple of flourishes, and you are done.

Loops are very versatile

Interestingly, some people who consider the use of loops (you can find a lot of loops online for free) to be somehow “cheating” would not think twice about hiring a studio musician to perform a part they cannot perform. Well, think of loops like studio musicians - they arrive on time, they don't complain, and they play the same part over and over again, perfectly, while you figure out the best way to tailor it to fit your music. And while it's doubtful anyone in your neighborhood will record music parts for you, a library of loops can, even at four in the morning

Loops help with video soundtracks

Anyone who has worked on soundtracks knows that they seem to be an “interesting” endeavour to say the least. They will ask you to finish it quickly and one day later, they will tell you that a major chunk of the footage was left on the editing room floor. Loops to the rescue, because they can follow tempo changes.

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You don't play drums, you don't have a drum set in your home studio, and you wouldn't have a way to put a mic on even if you did, or if you had the budget to fly on Mike Portnoy, Virgil Donati, Mike Mangini, Flo Mounier, Dave Wekl or other world-class drummers. So you use MIDI drum sounds, but when trying to make music genres that rely on the real thing, electronic versions often fall short. Well, you might be surprised how easy it is to adapt acoustic drum loops to your songs. For example, some drum plugins stock 10,000 loops (luckily with an internal search engine) from the aforementioned drummers and others, as well as 100 drum kits with multiple samples and MIDI editing if you prefer to go that route.

AKARSH SHEKHAR

How to Make Your Guitar Sound More Emotional When it comes to guitar playing, there are some guitarists who are known for their flawless technique and precision and there are some like David Gilmour and Jeff Beck who are known more for their emotional style of playing. We are not here to argue which style is best, ideally, a good guitar player should be able to strike the right balance. There is no point shredding a million soulless notes per minute nor is “playing with feeling” an excuse for being a sloppy player. Guitarists who play with feeling are masters at extracting the maximum emotion from every note they play. Here’s how you can make your guitar playing sound more emotional.

Go slow and easy

Slow down. When you're burning, you're really only able to convey one emotion: intensity. Think about how you speak. Depending on what you are trying to communicate, your speech changes tempo, pitch, volume, and inflection. Change your guitar language accordingly A great way to hit the brakes while strengthening your mind-heartfingers-guitar connection is to listen to a melody in your head before hitting a note.

Listen to vocal melodies

Another way to slow down and play melodically is to listen to vocalists. You'll be amazed at what learning vocal lines, melodies, and harmonies can bring to your performance. A singer's utterances, inflections, choice of notes, and performances may seem completely foreign to you as a guitarist. But try copying a few

lines from the best singers and you will undoubtedly unlock new tones and techniques that will put your audience on an emotional roller coaster ride.

zone, you will be forced to trust your ears and emotions. It's a little revealing at first, but I bet you'll find a new sonic voice that you never knew you had.

Use dynamics

Let your emotions flow

If you are playing at full volume at full volume and speed, you are simply not leaving enough room in the music to show any emotion. Let's go back to the analogy of speech. Imagine your partner whispering sweet words in your ear. But they are not whispering. They are screaming, very loud and very fast. No matter how comforting your proclamations of love are, you probably won't take them as such.

While these are all great techniques to adopt, the most important thing is to really try to think about what you are feeling. What a concept! Do you want to play emotionally? Then allow yourself to feel the music, feel your experiences, and feel the moment. With little more than a bit of self-awareness, I think you'll find yourself tearing back tears, imposing joy, and amplifying your fans every time you touch your strings.

But what happens when they find out that you spent too much money on a guitar pedal without telling them? Suddenly that loud and fast speech comes into focus and is totally appropriate. That volume and intensity are used as the perfect way to convey the current emotion. Fast, slow, loud, or quiet, use them all in your performance and whatever you play will translate that much better.

Use moderation

Sometimes disciplining ourselves to play more moderately is next to impossible. Do you want to get out of that high speed routine? Eliminate some options. Force yourself to play a full solo on a single string or a different scale, turn off the overdrive and solo clean, or try soloing on a completely different instrument. That's right, maybe write the solo for your new tune on a piano and then translate that to your guitar. Talk about getting a new perspective! Once you step out of your comfort

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AKARSH SHEKHAR

DRUM YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH Normally when talking about physical activity beneficial to health, traditional methods in society such as jogging, playing a sport or simply spending a few hours in the gym are pointed out, but there are many ways to perform physical exercise, including playing music. In general, there is the cliché of assimilating musicians with an extremely unhealthy form of life, which in some cases even includes the extremes and debauchery, but many times it is not taken into account that the physical virtues are present, especially in drummers, who are in charge of setting the tempo and qualifying the melodies with countless rhythmic elements.

Smith announced that the caloric expenditure of a drummer can reach 400 and 600 calories per hour, like the football masters, but with the difference that the football player only exerts the effort about two times a week, while the musician does it in each concert and rehearsal, which in the case of a professional can translate into up to 20 performances in a month. Data from this study were collected by measuring heart rate, oxygen consumption, and lactic acid levels in the blood.

Thus, comparing the speed and duration of the rhythms, we can speak of a greater effort in the case of heavy rock drummers, who usually use a musical According to a 2008 study using Blondie's drummer execution speed (Tempo) in Allegro or higher. Hard Clem Burke as a test subject, it was found that playing rock can easily reach 140 beats BPM (Beats Per for an hour and a half can increase the heart rate to 190 Minute), but in speed metal and black metal it even beats per minute, which translates to the necessity of a reaches the Prestissimo Tempo, that is, higher than 200 great physical resistance on the part of those in charge bpm. of the percussion. And this was a drummer playing Blondie, you can only imagine what would be the To this can be added the complexity of the rhythms, heartbeat of a drummer playing speed metal. which also require greater coordination and body movement, as seen in the songs of bands like Rush or In fact, the physical and mental effort required to Dream Theater. execute a song with a fast and varied rhythm is high, at such a level that it equals the effort of a professional But this is not only limited to rock, since it can be soccer player moving around the field. appreciated either in Jazz, Fusion and Pop among many others that use drums as a fundamental part of This was verified by the head of the investigation, their compositions. Marcus Smith, a sports medicine specialist at the University of Chichester in England. Some examples of drummers who demonstrate their resistance are the late Neil Peart (Rush), Dennis Chambers, Gene Hoglan, Dave Lombardo (ex Slayer), Tommy Lee, Inferno (Behemoth), Travis Barker (Blink 182) Pete Sandoval (ex Morbid Angel), Jimmy Chamberlin (ex Smashing Pumpkins), Mike Portnoy (ex Dream Theater) or the versatile Thomas Lang, among many others. You already know, if you are not addicted to football or spending hours in the gym and rock is what makes you get up from the chair, you can practice a few hours of drums, improving resistance, coordination in even the mood after releasing a little stress hitting the drums. Beating down on the skins is not only a great musical outlet, but it is also a great outlet for your calories. So set your metronome, tune your drums, get your sticks and start grooving. Keep doing it regularly and soon your body will become as tight as a drum.

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The Genelec 6040R.

PURE SOUND, FINNISH DESIGN. Genelec has unveiled the first model in its new Signature Series with the introduction of the two-way 6040R Smart Active Loudspeaker. Created in conjunction with celebrated Finnish industrial designer Harri Koskinen, the floor-standing 6040R fuses the best of Finnish technology and design, bringing exceptional performance and beautiful aesthetics to all lovers of high quality audio, from high end listening and home theatre to professional monitoring applications. Koskinen’s long association with Genelec began 20 years ago with the introduction of the timeless 6040A model, the first Genelec loudspeaker to feature the distinctive minimalist curves of the Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) – a cabinet design by Koskinen that now forms the core of much of Genelec’s current loudspeaker range. Fashioned from die-cast aluminium, the MDE meant that the original 6040A produced exceptionally clean acoustic performance, delivered staggeringly wide frequency response from such a compact enclosure, and was free from the resonances that affected more traditional wooden cabinet designs. The MDE also allowed the 6040A to feature

Genelec’s now-familiar Directivity Control Waveguide, which produces smooth uncoloured reproduction both on and off-axis, with unrivalled imaging and minimal distortion.

THE TECHNOLOGY

Designed and manufactured to the highest environmental standards by Genelec in Iisalmi, Finland, the reengineered 6040R now features the same LF driver design and proprietary bi-amplified Class D power amplifier technology as Genelec’s professional loudspeaker models. Other refinements include both analogue and digital inputs (supporting AES/EBU and SPDIF formats), a digital output, universal mains voltage and sophisticated onboard DSP to allow each 6040R loudspeaker to be intelligently tuned for any acoustic environment via GLM room calibration software. Additionally, the re-imagined 6040R offers increased power output, higher SPL, wide phase linearity, lower power consumption and decades of reliable service. It also partners seamlessly with selected models from Genelec’s range of F Series and Smart Active Subwoofers, and can be used with Genelec wired and wireless volume controllers via either an F Series subwoofer or a GLM network adaptor.

loudspeaker of choice for audio professionals working in the worlds of music, film and TV. The visual appeal of the 6040R is enhanced further through the colour options of grey, black, white, black with white grilles and white with black grilles. “The 6040R is a design that is based on our long-term commitment to sustainable manufacturing,” comments Genelec Managing Director Siamäk Naghian. “Fashioned from recycled aluminium and offering low power consumption, the 6040R is designed for a long lifecycle and total reliability. So it’s not only a secure and long term investment, it’s also an environmentally sound one.” For more information please visit

www.genelec.com/6040R

Equipped with a 165 mm (6.5 inch) woofer and 19 mm (0.75 inch) tweeter, each driven independently by twin dedicated 150 W power amplifier stages, the 6040R stands at 999 mm (39.33 inches) high and delivers a frequency response of 43 Hz to 20 kHz with a maximum short term SPL of 110 dB. With the addition of one or two subwoofers, the SPL and frequency response of the system may be further extended.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

With active crossovers and sophisticated protection circuitry, the 6040R offers clean, simple installation and only requires feeding with a high-quality audio source to produce exquisitely detailed playback – the kind of exceptionally accurate reproduction that has already made Genelec the The

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Reconnect. Reimagine. Rise Up. ISE 2022 unites and inspires AV professionals to meet the latest challenges with innovative solutions. The future begins in Barcelona. Fira de Barcelona | Gran Vía 1-4 February 2022

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Unleash your creativity Introducing GLM 4.1 loudspeaker manager software For 15 years, GLM software has worked with our Smart Active Monitors to minimise the unwanted acoustic influences of your room and help your mixes sound great, everywhere. Now, GLM 4.1 includes the next generation AutoCal 2 calibration algorithm and a host of new features – delivering a much faster calibration time and an even more precise frequency response. So, wherever you choose to work, GLM 4.1 will unleash your creativity, and help you produce mixes that translate consistently to other rooms and playback systems. And with GLM 4.1, both your monitoring system and your listening skills have room to develop and grow naturally too. Find out more at www.genelec.com/glm