Nxg

NEW IN TOWN UK-born musician Jaspreet Kaur is the one to watch out for in the Indo-UK music scen. SAROOP OOMMEN

Jaspreet Kaur is a U.K.-born Punjabi vocalist who is visiting Chennai, pursuing her musical dream. This young achiever has completed her eight grades in vocals and is presently studying contemporary music. With a voice lacquered with soul, a powerfully emotive singing style and looks to match, she could be the next Indian sensation to spring out of the UK! NXg delves into the quiet grit and talent that is Jaspreet Kaur.

Where do you think this hunger for music came from? Dad or Mom’s side? How did it all begin?

Probably Dad’s side. I used to steal my brother’s tapes and listen to his music like Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Adams and Mariah Carey. That was the how I got introduced to music.

Are your parents supportive of your decision to take up music?

I think they are waiting to see what I would do with it. They are apprehensive about a career in music and all they can see me do is be a tutor. They have not even seen me perform yet. I guess they cannot comprehend what I’m going to do with my music.

Earlier you mentioned something about finding your musical identity. Could you elaborate on that?

In theatre you learn that every person has about 50 voices that they use variably. It changes depending on whom they are talking to or where they are. Similarly, I’m an Indian who was raised in the U.K. and so I have kind of a dual identity. Depending on where I am performing the music changes. In the U.K. they expect something as I’m an Asian and in India it is different again. So one of the main reasons I’m looking forward to my time in India is to try and figure out where my musical influences come from and how they affect my musical identity.

What’s playing on your I-pod these days? Who are the musicians you look up to?

Damien Rice is my favourite. Also Regina Spekta, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Sia of Euro7, Jack White, India Arie. I have music playing almost all the time. Music goes wherever I go.

When did you start writing your own songs? What inspires you?

Around the age of 15, but only in the past two years have I being performing these songs, because I was never really confident about them. Most daily influences and life experiences have a subconscious effect on you and they affect my song writing.

You gave a stupefying performance at the Unwind Center last Saturday. bumps! Did you have fun?

Yes, I really enjoyed it. I think the crowd was ready for the Indie style of music that Skrat and Lounge Piranha play. I think they were shocked by me. I get that a lot as people have this Asian girl expectation. I was really happy with the response. Personally I could have done much better.

What do you think of the musicians you saw at the gig?

I was really impressed. Wish I could hear more of ‘Skrat’. I loved the fusion, folk style. Lounge Piranha was very well put together. Awesome musicians. Very confidant in what they are doing and they do it really well.

What do you think about the live music scene you saw?

Chilled out ambience. Very nice. Just thought that there were more guys than girls at the show! I mean, those were good-looking guys in the band so you naturally expect more girls to be there. Was surprised, but the place was packed.

You are studying music and theatre at Dartington College of Arts, Devon, U.K. What’s that all about?

I’m doing my degree in music and focusing more into performance, rather than composition. So I have to do a final performance at the end of each year. I’m doing a minor in theatre. In theatre, your voice is as important as your body language. You have to completely let go of yourself in theatre and so it helps me in my music. It helps build my confidence.

You have performed a lot around London. Is being an Asian hindering your breaks as a musician in London?

No, it makes me unique. The Asian thing is something that I can play on. In the U.K., it’s all about being unique and it’s the main thing that makes me different.

Where do you perform?

I’ve performed a lot around local acoustic venues like the ‘Round House’ or ‘Rat & Emu’ where people are encouraged to perform acoustic. The Dartington State runs it and there are similar ones in London too. You get selected thtough word-of-mouth or you can play an open mic night and they will call you back if they like you.

Will you get into the commercial highway with the Indo-UK bhangra routine?

Maybe not the bhangra thing, but I really like the Nitin Sawney kind of music. I loved his music on the movie ‘Namesake’ and definitely in the future I would like to do music like that.

You’ve worked hard to get to this level in your music, are things going according to your dream?

I’ve been trying to find my own voice, as in my own style of singing, which I think that I’m getting there now. Yeah, I think it’s going well. I’m in my last year now so there’s much to do.

You are tutoring a Vocal Course at the Unwind Center right now. Is that part of your studies?

One of the modules I have to do in college, needs a placement connected to my art in a certain context. I’m looking at how western music is in the context of Chennai. My parents are from India, but I was born in the UK. And now I’m teaching western music in India. So it’s great for my module. At the course here in Chennai, I want to try and push the students as much as possible. Also, I want them to get as much as possible, individually. Like if they want to do a Robbie Williams song, I don’t want them to just imitate, but I want them to make it their own. I want them to understand they’re own voice. I’m trying to equip them so that when I’m not here, they can still correct themselves to improve. They should be their own teacher where they can continuously do the things they learn and improve.

Do you have plans to sign a record deal and get your music video on VH1 and become horrendously famous and filthily rich?

(Laughs) I don’t like the idea of being famous. If I can make money from performing then great. But I would like to write music based on my morals and my experiences and not what the commercial companies would want. Making money and being famous is not why I got into music – it’s because I thoroughly enjoy doing it. I will be very hands-on when it comes to what I write and what I perform.

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