Talking Point

Apart from musical talent,which will be the most important quality you will be looking for?

Stage presence — if you’re performing,you have to electrify the audience. I’ve seen some bands just stand there and perform,looking stiff and stuffy. That’s not the way you hold your audience. You have to have fun with your music and take your audience along on the ride as well.

You’re travelling to Shillong,Kolkata,Delhi,Pune and Bangalore in search of aspiring ‘desi’ rockers. Which city,in your opinion,has the best talent?

It’s difficult to say,but I’m a little biased towards Delhi,probably because I’m from here. It’s not just sentiment — if you think about it,most of the biggest rock bands in India like Parikrama and Euphoria are from Delhi. From Pune,the only big one I can think of is Agnee and Mumbai,of course,has Pentagram. Other bands like Motherjane from Cochin and Swarathma from Bangalore are also doing well. So we’ll just wait and watch. Motherjane and Swarathma are two bands which have managed to incorporate Indian influences seamlessly into their music. Do you think such integration will make rock more acceptable in the mainstream?

It has become easier these days to go mainstream,but these bands are still fresh. It’s a little early in their careers to see how much of an impact they will make. It took Indian Ocean 30 years to become acceptable on all levels.

There are a lot of platforms on television for musicians these days. How effective are they in giving these singers and musicians a break?

I’ve watched a few of these singing programmes and the thing that struck me the most was that everyone is being encouraged to sing like someone else. They are encouraged to sing like more famous singers and their individuality gets stifled. That is why the winners of these shows rarely make a long-term impact. How will they stay in our minds unless they have their own signature style? They win six or seven months of fame and then fade into obscurity.

What is the most sensible advice you can give to aspiring rockers?

Work your butt off. There are no shortcuts and no magic formulae. Talent will take you a little way,but it’s no use without hardwork.

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