5 minute read
Shilpan Natarajan
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Singer on the Move
When did you first get into music?
I began learning Carnatic Music when I was around 3 and tried out different styles of Music around 12 years ago. I have had an on-and-off relationship with Music up until 9 y ars ago where I quit my corporate job and took up Music full-time. I have been an Indie Musician for the last 10 years now.
What genre of music do you perform and why?
While I am primarily into Indie-pop and Indie-alternative, I love experimenting with Music. My most recent release was in Toytronica and I have added Carnatic elements to my Music in the past. So I’m not very particular about sticking to one genre.
And why did you choose that style of music?
I feel there’s a lot more scope to experiment with, in the Indie-pop/ alternative genre.
Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? Please explain.
I performed as a guest with two of my colleagues, back in 2011 where we were setup on a terrace and it ended up being an über-rainy day. None budged and I was amazed that people didn’t mind getting wet to listen to my Music. That pushed me to take up Music.
How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?
Aah! My Music has honestly evolved into a lot more experiments. Earlier when I began, it felt safe and restricted in many ways. I’ve reached a stage where I release my Music and move on to the next one, so in terms of experimenting with my sounds, I feel it has become a lot more exciting!
I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?
Arijit Singh had visited my city, Chennai in 2015 and I opened for his show. This was an event organised by a publication and the crowd was massive. I remember I had finished performing and had gone backstage where I bumped into the musician himself. It was such a lovely moment. That was the first time I had performed to a large audience as for Indie Music, the audience is a lot more intimate.
If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
I think for me it’s restlessness. I’ve thought many times to quit and not put myself through the struggle,
but have always found myself filled with restlessness of not writing songs/ holding them back. So I end up writing more songs and working on collaborations ( whether I release them or not requires a different set of emotions).
Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas? Please explain.
I am a musician who has performed live, been a recording artiste, independent musician, dubbed songs into Tamil and Telugu for animated films, moved from releasing an EP with actual CDs to releasing digitally to a digital audience. I still am a struggling musician trying to understand the ever changing audiences and platforms. I’m someone who is constantly finding ways to keep up with all that. I wouldn’t say that’s unique or special, but that’s me.
What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Being an Indie Musician in a highly film-centric state/ region where Indian Classical Music ( Carnatic) and Film Music have the two biggest audiences has always been a massive challenge and that’s something I don’t think I’d ever overcome anytime soon. :-)
A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?
Absolutely. One must suffer in terms of finances, sense of stability, experience multiple emotions while releasing their music, and a lot more. With all this comes that moment of excitement and satisfaction when someone appreciates your Music or tells you that it has made a difference to their lives. There’s a bit of both and it’s a constant cycle.
How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?
While the internet has expanded the listenership base, the personal interactions for me as a performer has reduced. Digital participation isn’t the same as seeing your audience live infront of you, having a conversation with them and watch them enjoy your music.
If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?
Oh! Lots!! More funds for the arts... Increase the budgets for performers ( especially love), start paying attention to the Indie- Music scene and the multiple genres. Indie Music isn’t just rock music. There are multiple genres today and each unique in it’s own way. Live performances aren’t the same as going live on social media.
What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?
Adele’s 21 Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto Karl Jenkins’ Adiemus II And singles by Enya, Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson have made a massive difference towards me experimenting with my Music. I’m a sucker for harmonies and these albums have lead me towards finding my confidence every time I give up on being an Indie Musician/ struggle to go ahead with the process all over again.
Tell us about your current project.
My most recent release is Mer Song. It’s a Toytronica single, produced by Alok Merwin. We’ve experimented with sounds made by Toy instruments, where Alok has used boomwhackers, marbles, an empty Lego box, the box with a few pieces of lego as well, and more. It’s a fun track which talks about a Mer-person.
What is the best advice you have received?
Release your track and don’t keep checking on it. This is something I’ve started doing recently.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
My music is available on Spotify, iTunes, Youtube (/ShilpaNatarajan) and other digital stores and platforms under the name Shilpa Natarajan.
