Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; November 7, 2017)

With his soulful tracks like Tanha Dil and Bhool Jaa, Shaan was one of the names leading the indie music pack in India in the ’90s and early 2000s. So, it’s only fitting that the singer has rekindled his romance with the genre, as the independent music scene sees a revival of sorts. Close on the heels of releasing a single, Surilee, Shaan talks about how social media has breathed new life into the world of non-film music.

You released Surilee recently and came up with Vaishnav Janato last month. What prompted you to turn to indie music again?
Releasing independent projects is an effort to connect directly with my audience. At this point in my career, I want to enjoy my craft rather than make music according to others’ expectations.

Indie music had seen a lull in the early '2000s. Do you think it’s reviving?
What started off around five years ago [indie artistes releasing their work on YouTube and social media] has now gathered steam. Many artistes are making a mark and it’s an encouraging sign. A lot of live performance venues have opened up. People want to listen to non-film music again. The easy access through YouTube and music streaming sites helps discover artistes quite easily.

Do you agree that social media platforms also end up giving mileage to untrained artistes? Dhinchak Pooja, for instance?
We should not confuse that [cringe pop] with good music. Their creations are more like freak shows that people find funny for their stupidity. I’m not saying that YouTube is supporting bad musicians. Everyone is allowed to put up whatever they want to.

As a veteran, what’s your suggestion for upcoming indie artistes?
You need to find your USP, know what’s unique about your music. Work towards honing that rather than trying to follow in someone else’s footsteps.

This is your fourth stint as a judge on The Voice India. What makes you the only constant member on the show?
It is an internationally acclaimed show and is close to my heart. The format creates a lot of intrigue and entertainment for the viewers. I would love to stick around for as long as I can.

Do you have any film songs coming up?
I am looking forward to the song from Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3. It’s a romantic duet with Sunidhi [Chauhan]