Showing posts with label The Vamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Vamps. Show all posts
I'm in a position of advantage because of my parents Suchitra Krishnamoorthi & Shekhar Kapur-Kaveri Kapur
7:59 AM
Purvaja Sawant (BOMBAY TIMES; September 2, 2017)
Last year, when
actress-singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur's
daughter Kaveri made her singing debut, legends like Amitabh Bachchan
and A R Rahman took to the social media to rave about her talent. After
all, at 17, the young musical prodigy is already hitting the right notes
- she has written, composed and sung three singles, Did You Know, Half A
Heart and Again. Her captivating voice and soulful melodies have also
gained her a sizeable fan following online. In a joint conversation with
BT, the mother-daughter duo talk about Kaveri's musical leanings, the
inspiration behind her mature compositions and why she doesn't mind
giving acting a shot. Excerpts...
Suchitra, with Kaveri starting out so young, do you worry she will burn out and lose interest in music?
Suchitra: When she wrote her first few songs, she was just 11, and I wouldn't have been surprised back then if it had fizzled out. But she's 17 years now and has sustained her passion for music all these years. I think she has found her calling. She has a long way to go, but I don't think she will lose interest in what she is doing.
Kaveri: Actually, I wrote my very first song when I was just nine years old! And I am still writing everyday. It's something that I really enjoy doing, so I don't think I'll burn out.
When did you first realise that she was musically inclined?
S: I always knew Kaveri had exceptional talent. She started her Hindustani vocal training with my guruji when she was just six years old. So, I knew she had a good voice, but her song writing abilities took me by surprise. It's one thing to sing, but to write lyrics and compose melodies is very different. By the time she was 11, we started taking her to recording studios because she was writing full-fledged songs.
K: I have been introduced to music because of mom and her background, but song writing came to me rather spontaneously. I remember when I was younger, I would suddenly come up with melodies. And I didn't want to share them with anyone.
S: She was so shy, I had to literally pry those songs out of her!
Kaveri, you'd said in an interview that you hope people appreciate your music because they like it and not because of who your parents are. Do you still think people praise you because you're your parents' daughter?
K: I am definitely in a position of advantage because of who my parents are; there's no denying that. But after a certain point, I hope people like my music because I have talent. I work really hard and put a lot of effort into what I do.
S: I find the whole nepotism debate amusing. It exists in all fields. People are bound to get certain opportunities and exposure because of their backgrounds. But if they don't deliver, they will be rejected like anyone else. One must not grudge others because of their opportunities; ultimately, life is a level-playing field.
The lyrics in Kaveri's songs are rather deep... they're about heartbreak. Kaveri, have your personal experiences made their way into your music?
K: I haven't really experienced anything...
S: Well, you have friends who have just started to date.
K: Oh yes! I know it's normal, but I am a weird case, so I just got left behind. Sometimes, I draw inspiration from my personal experiences and dramatize it in my songs. Other times, I look at people around me. There are times when I just start writing a single line and then build up on it.
Does your mom help you with your lyrics?
K: Not at all. I don't go to anyone.
S: That's one department where she is completely independent - her lyrics and melodies. Sometimes when she is recording a song, I tell her, try singing this line in a particular way, but that's about it.
How do you strike a balance between your academics and musical pursuits?
K: It's really hard. I used to think I'll manage but now that I am studying IB syllabus, there's so much to do. When I come home from school, I just want to sleep, but I realise I have to study for six tests the next day and also practice on the piano.
S: There are times when I have to wake her up in the night for her vocal practice. But she is so dedicated, I don't have to tell her what to do. In fact, I tell her to relax and take it easy!
K: That's true, I've never felt any pressure from my parents; my hard work comes from own passion.
Last year, you collaborated with the British band The Vamps. How was the experience?
K: It was amazing, but also terrifying. I had never performed live before and then, suddenly, I was going to sing along side The Vamps. I was about to have a nervous breakdown. But just being on stage in front of a live audience cemented the belief that this is what I want to do forever. Also, they were nice and took a lot of effort to make me feel comfortable.
S: I didn't expect her to be so comfortable on stage, because she has always been a shy kid. But I guess when she is singing, nothing else matters to her.
Kaveri's father has expressed his desire to direct her, so will she give acting a shot?
K: My priority is music; I think it's something that I am good at. But I am open to acting in the future.
S: She should definitely give it a shot. In the past, she had a very good acting offer. In fact, it was a singing role, but she said a flat no. That was her state of mind then, she is more open now.
K: Obviously, I was just 14 na!
S: Well, you might land up having fun. Or maybe you'll realize that it's not your scene. But till you try it, you will never know.
What's in store for the future?
K: I like to sing what I write, so my goal is to be a singer-songwriter. In the past year, my writing has really evolved. I want to do more in my videos. I want my songs to have a story. I am very shy but I have grown up a lot.
S: I really believe in Kaveri's talent. She just has to give it her best and go with the flow. She has enough time to figure out what's working and what isn't. We're also looking at various music schools in England schools in England and USA, where she can study music production.
Suchitra, with Kaveri starting out so young, do you worry she will burn out and lose interest in music?
Suchitra: When she wrote her first few songs, she was just 11, and I wouldn't have been surprised back then if it had fizzled out. But she's 17 years now and has sustained her passion for music all these years. I think she has found her calling. She has a long way to go, but I don't think she will lose interest in what she is doing.
Kaveri: Actually, I wrote my very first song when I was just nine years old! And I am still writing everyday. It's something that I really enjoy doing, so I don't think I'll burn out.
When did you first realise that she was musically inclined?
S: I always knew Kaveri had exceptional talent. She started her Hindustani vocal training with my guruji when she was just six years old. So, I knew she had a good voice, but her song writing abilities took me by surprise. It's one thing to sing, but to write lyrics and compose melodies is very different. By the time she was 11, we started taking her to recording studios because she was writing full-fledged songs.
K: I have been introduced to music because of mom and her background, but song writing came to me rather spontaneously. I remember when I was younger, I would suddenly come up with melodies. And I didn't want to share them with anyone.
S: She was so shy, I had to literally pry those songs out of her!
Kaveri, you'd said in an interview that you hope people appreciate your music because they like it and not because of who your parents are. Do you still think people praise you because you're your parents' daughter?
K: I am definitely in a position of advantage because of who my parents are; there's no denying that. But after a certain point, I hope people like my music because I have talent. I work really hard and put a lot of effort into what I do.
S: I find the whole nepotism debate amusing. It exists in all fields. People are bound to get certain opportunities and exposure because of their backgrounds. But if they don't deliver, they will be rejected like anyone else. One must not grudge others because of their opportunities; ultimately, life is a level-playing field.
The lyrics in Kaveri's songs are rather deep... they're about heartbreak. Kaveri, have your personal experiences made their way into your music?
K: I haven't really experienced anything...
S: Well, you have friends who have just started to date.
K: Oh yes! I know it's normal, but I am a weird case, so I just got left behind. Sometimes, I draw inspiration from my personal experiences and dramatize it in my songs. Other times, I look at people around me. There are times when I just start writing a single line and then build up on it.
Does your mom help you with your lyrics?
K: Not at all. I don't go to anyone.
S: That's one department where she is completely independent - her lyrics and melodies. Sometimes when she is recording a song, I tell her, try singing this line in a particular way, but that's about it.
How do you strike a balance between your academics and musical pursuits?
K: It's really hard. I used to think I'll manage but now that I am studying IB syllabus, there's so much to do. When I come home from school, I just want to sleep, but I realise I have to study for six tests the next day and also practice on the piano.
S: There are times when I have to wake her up in the night for her vocal practice. But she is so dedicated, I don't have to tell her what to do. In fact, I tell her to relax and take it easy!
K: That's true, I've never felt any pressure from my parents; my hard work comes from own passion.
Last year, you collaborated with the British band The Vamps. How was the experience?
K: It was amazing, but also terrifying. I had never performed live before and then, suddenly, I was going to sing along side The Vamps. I was about to have a nervous breakdown. But just being on stage in front of a live audience cemented the belief that this is what I want to do forever. Also, they were nice and took a lot of effort to make me feel comfortable.
S: I didn't expect her to be so comfortable on stage, because she has always been a shy kid. But I guess when she is singing, nothing else matters to her.
Kaveri's father has expressed his desire to direct her, so will she give acting a shot?
K: My priority is music; I think it's something that I am good at. But I am open to acting in the future.
S: She should definitely give it a shot. In the past, she had a very good acting offer. In fact, it was a singing role, but she said a flat no. That was her state of mind then, she is more open now.
K: Obviously, I was just 14 na!
S: Well, you might land up having fun. Or maybe you'll realize that it's not your scene. But till you try it, you will never know.
What's in store for the future?
K: I like to sing what I write, so my goal is to be a singer-songwriter. In the past year, my writing has really evolved. I want to do more in my videos. I want my songs to have a story. I am very shy but I have grown up a lot.
S: I really believe in Kaveri's talent. She just has to give it her best and go with the flow. She has enough time to figure out what's working and what isn't. We're also looking at various music schools in England schools in England and USA, where she can study music production.
I’d love to go behind the camera and direct a movie-Shekhar Ravjiani
7:41 AM
After trying his hand at acting in Neerja, composer Shekhar Ravjiani is keen to turn film director
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; January 17, 2017)
When Shekhar Ravjiani’s world was all about composing and singing for films until a couple of years ago, he would often get asked if he wanted to act. Post a successful acting debut in Sonam Kapoor-starrer Neerja last year, the musician-turned-actor has been juggling both roles with elan. He is elated about the audience’s response to his big-screen outing.
“I forayed into acting with Neerja, followed by a theatre role in the UK. Since then, I have been getting a lot of acting offers here as well as abroad. A few of them are interesting and I’m looking at them seriously,” says Shekhar.
Besides composing, singing and acting, is there another aspect of the film business that interests him? Shekhar surprises us with his answer. “I’d love to go behind the camera and direct a movie. I have a few ideas, and I hope to get cracking on them.”
Keep track
On the music front, Shekhar and his music partner Vishal Dadlani are currently working on a few Bollywood soundtracks. “We are working on Student Of The Year 2. There are two other films, but I’d wait for the production houses concerned to make an announcement first. All three movies are special and sonically different from each other.”
Vishal-Shekhar also made headlines for collaborating with British pop-rock band, The Vamps for the single, Beliya. “Vishal and I are waiting for our second single with them, called Nakhra. It’s due for release in March,” reveals Shekhar.
Reality check
Shekhar is currently judging singing reality show, Dil Hai Hindustani. This is his ninth reality show as judge. Asked what is it about reality TV that interests him, Shekhar says, “As a composer and singer, I believe I must share my knowledge and talent with the next generation. It’s a special feeling to discover and mentor talented individuals and help them succeed in their musical pursuits. Almost every reality show has led to the discovery of some extremely talented and promising voices. While that isn’t my main motive for judging, I am always open to giving them an opportunity, if the requirement presents itself. I’ve even offered a couple of singers a chance to record for me on the show itself.”
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; January 17, 2017)
When Shekhar Ravjiani’s world was all about composing and singing for films until a couple of years ago, he would often get asked if he wanted to act. Post a successful acting debut in Sonam Kapoor-starrer Neerja last year, the musician-turned-actor has been juggling both roles with elan. He is elated about the audience’s response to his big-screen outing.
“I forayed into acting with Neerja, followed by a theatre role in the UK. Since then, I have been getting a lot of acting offers here as well as abroad. A few of them are interesting and I’m looking at them seriously,” says Shekhar.
Besides composing, singing and acting, is there another aspect of the film business that interests him? Shekhar surprises us with his answer. “I’d love to go behind the camera and direct a movie. I have a few ideas, and I hope to get cracking on them.”
Keep track
On the music front, Shekhar and his music partner Vishal Dadlani are currently working on a few Bollywood soundtracks. “We are working on Student Of The Year 2. There are two other films, but I’d wait for the production houses concerned to make an announcement first. All three movies are special and sonically different from each other.”
Vishal-Shekhar also made headlines for collaborating with British pop-rock band, The Vamps for the single, Beliya. “Vishal and I are waiting for our second single with them, called Nakhra. It’s due for release in March,” reveals Shekhar.
Reality check
Shekhar is currently judging singing reality show, Dil Hai Hindustani. This is his ninth reality show as judge. Asked what is it about reality TV that interests him, Shekhar says, “As a composer and singer, I believe I must share my knowledge and talent with the next generation. It’s a special feeling to discover and mentor talented individuals and help them succeed in their musical pursuits. Almost every reality show has led to the discovery of some extremely talented and promising voices. While that isn’t my main motive for judging, I am always open to giving them an opportunity, if the requirement presents itself. I’ve even offered a couple of singers a chance to record for me on the show itself.”
Drummer of The Vamps Tristan Evans loses passport hours before he was to fly out
7:41 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 25, 2016)
Their adventurous trip to India for the British boy band, The Vamps, continued to throw up surprises, even shocks, right into the last moments. When Connor Ball, Tristan Evans, James McVey and Brad Simpson arrived at the Mumbai airport on Monday to board their flight back to UK, they were mobbed by excited fans and in the ensuing frenzy, drummer Tristan Evans’s passport fell out of his pocket. The band’s manager, Joseph O’Neill, and a worried Tristan met with the police inspector at the Sahar police station who made an SOS call to mail vigilance.
“The cops recognised the band from their appearance on the popular Kapil Sharma show,” said Joseph but admitted they had little hope of finding the passport having scoured the airport earlier in vain. They were about to file an FIR, when the inspector received a call from vigilance informing him that it had been found and Tristan could collect it from customs. “The cops were most helpful and we’re grateful for their speed in helping us recover the lost document,” O’Neill said.
As reported by Mirror (Nov 19) , the band was in the city to film a music video for their new single with Vishal-Shekhar, “Nakhra”, choreographed by Farah Khan, and to perform at the Global Citizens concert.
The Vamps shoots Bollywood-style music video with Farah Khan
7:42 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 19, 2016)
After their visit to India in August to record a single with Suchitra
Krishnamoorthi’s daughter, Kaveri, British boy band The Vamps have
returned to the Maximum City to be a part of the Global Citizen
festival. While here, the boys are also lined up to collaborate with
composer duo Vishal-Shekhar for a Bollywood-style music video which has
been choreographed by Farah Khan and styled by fashion designer Nikhil
Thampi. Titled “Nakhra”, the music video was shot on Thursday and Friday
all over Mumbai.“Whenever a foreign band comes over we focus on the poorer aspects of the country. I didn’t want to do the usual shooting in the slums. Our video will show the fun side of India. The chorus is in Hindi with the video serving like a Mumbai darshan. Last night we filmed in buses, rickshaws almost like a rock concert happening in the midst of the traffic. We also shot in a tube mill, so it’s grungy-meets-kitsch. I’m trying not to make it too Bollywood because it should look like an international video, not an item song,” Farah revealed to Mirror, adding that the song also features a girl who is a non-Bollywood face.
Band member Brad Simpson said, “We love the infectious Bollywood energy. We have been working at getting our music out in this market and even collaborated on a song called 'Beliya' with Vishal Shekhar on our last visit. We have been working with Tanaaz Bhatia and her team along with our record label,” adding that he thinks Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone are great performers.
Why Bollywood is now a magnet for international musicians
12:22 PM
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; October 2, 2016)
It's believed that music bridges the gaps between countries. This holds true for several years of cultural exchange between India and Pakistan. A few years ago, many Indian filmmakers had started banking on popular international musicians for the success of their films’ soundtracks. While Thai pop sensation Tata Young sang Dhoom Machale for Dhoom (2004), American R&B singer-songwriter Akon (above) sang Chammak Challo in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Ra.One (2011). Also, Snoop Dogg donned Indian attire and did bhangra with Akshay Kumar in Singh Is Kinng (2008). The rapper grooved to the tunes of the title song of the film. But there was a lull in the trend for a while. Now, it seems to be making a comeback. Several international artistes have started embarking towards Bollywood again.
New voyage
Akon has come on board for a track in Tum Bin 2, alongside Pakistani singer Atif Aslam. The makers of the movie have also signed West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo (above), aka DJ Bravo, for a song. This marks the cricketer-musician’s Bollywood playback debut. There’s also buzz around UK-based popular teen band, The Vamps, who are part of Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film Shivaay’s soundtrack. The band also did a music video, Beliya, with composer duo Vishal-Shekhar recently. While Pakistani singers Ghulam Ali, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar have been part of Bollywood’s music space for a long time, the latest entrant from across the border is singer Quratulain Balouch (below). She has made an impression with her powerful rendition of the song Kaari Kaari from Pink.
Strong connect
Anubhav Sinha, the producer-director of Tum Bin 2, says he shares a great bond with Akon ever since they worked together on Ra.One. Explaining why he decided to get Akon and Bravo on board, the filmmaker says, “Akon has a huge fan base in India. And Dwayne’s single, Champion, got close to 25 million hits. Collaborating with artistes of that stature makes sense, because they are 75 per cent Indian at heart, owing to their existing bond with the place that has a lot of their fans.”
Ajay Devgn, the producer-director of Shivaay reveals that he was clueless who The Vamps (below) were. “But my daughter jumped when she heard their name. She told me they are massive. That’s when we decided to have them on board,” says the actor-filmmaker.
Worth spending on
Though getting international artistes on board can burn a hole in filmmakers’ pocket, they are still preferred, as they help generate buzz around new movies. “International artistes are expensive. However, attaching an international name to a film’s soundtrack attracts global audience. It helps in the pre-publicity for a movie. Today, with films being a competitive business and every movie vying for the audience’s attention, one off associations gives a film high recall value,” explains Sinha, adding that such associations also help bridge cross-cultural synergies.
Devgn doesn’t feel getting international musicians on board is expensive. “Though it’s a time-consuming affair, when you look at it, you realise that the entertainment world is shrinking. Besides it’s never a matter of pricing. It’s more about how the energies align to create great content,” he says.
Filmmakers feel having international musicians adds value to their projects. “Today, every film requires good music to sustain itself in the market. Anything 'foreign' excites the masses, which, in turn, boosts the musical score of the film,” says Sinha.
Ajay adds the trend adds 'immense value' to the project. “Today’s generation, whether in Mumbai or Varanasi or anywhere in the world, is a global generation. They can’t get enough of new content. So, such collaborations work.”
No insecurity
But are Indian singers welcoming of the trend? Singer Rekha Bhardwaj loves the fact that more and more international singers are singing for Bollywood. “I feel it’s great. If a film song has rap, and if a filmmaker can get one of world’s best rappers for the track, then why not? There’s no question of being insecure, as every singer is special in his or her own right,” she says.
Ajay Devgn's reel & real life daughters go hysterical at The Vamps concert
7:47 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 27, 2016)
Yes, you read that right.
Ajay Devgn's real daughter Nysa and his screen daughter from his
forthcoming film Shivaay, Abigail Eames, who are crazy about the
international band The Vamps, attended their concert in Mumbai on
Thursday night. Like most young girls, these two brought the house down,
screamed, burst into tears and clamoured for some more.
A few days ago, Ajay caught up with the band, posted a picture with them on social media and wrote, 'Guess where this association is headed?' One heard that it is all hush-hush but the band members and the Bollywood actor-filmmaker discussed a professional association. For the moment, it appears more like the case of a doting father, indulging his two daughters (real and reel) with some special time with the young band.
A few days ago, Ajay caught up with the band, posted a picture with them on social media and wrote, 'Guess where this association is headed?' One heard that it is all hush-hush but the band members and the Bollywood actor-filmmaker discussed a professional association. For the moment, it appears more like the case of a doting father, indulging his two daughters (real and reel) with some special time with the young band.
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