Palash Sen on what makes Euphoria relevant even after 25 years: ‘It’s the honesty of our songs’

You’ve been a part of the Indian music industry for about 25 years. How would you describe your journey?

Exactly 25 years now, not over, not under and we are celebrating it by taking out re-recorded versions of Dhoom and Phir Dhoom, our first two albums, and also announcing a new one. I would describe our experience in only one word: euphoric. I was always prepared that it was going to be a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs. We faced more downs than ups but the greatest ‘up’ comes when you have faced downs. And to be around after 25 years, still being relevant, still doing tours and concerts, making music, and videos, and still having people coming to our gigs and singing along to our songs is a great feeling and I have no regrets or complaints.

How would you say the industry has evolved in all these years?

I really wouldn’t say it has evolved; it’s changed. The world over, it has become different with new styles, different voices, and attitudes coming in. But it must be understood that in India, we don’t have a music industry; we have a film industry of which music is a part. I have been fighting for this for many many years — putting forth the idea of having an independent music industry in this country, where musicians are not ruled by film. But it’s difficult to do it in a country where the film industry is so strong.

But the greatest thing that has happened — thanks to the streaming sites and the digital avenues — is that all artistes have a way, power, and medium to release songs today. They are not dependent on labels for their music to reach people. However, if you are part of a label, then you have that power, money, and reach of the label. Twenty-five years ago, you had to go through certain avenues (which are still there) as these things did not exist.

Tell us about your upcoming tour. 

This tour is my ‘dream come true’. Whoever has been to a Euphoria concert knows that it is an experience, and Euphoria is an emotion. So, what do you expect from it? The same emotion and experience with newer things coming into the act, newer songs, collaborations, and different arrangements of our existing songs. We are re-recording our first two albums, so even those songs are going to be in new forms and expressions. There’s nothing pre-recorded. Its live music being played by a band that feeds off the energy of the audience, which is a part of the experience.

What would you say has kept Euphoria alive and relevant all these years, despite not making new music very often?

We make a lot of music very often. It’s just that it doesn’t reach the people because it’s on our YouTube channel, which is completely independent. There’s no label backing it, and no sponsors. The reasons for our music not reaching people are many, of which primary is the fact that I had a huge fallout with one of the strongest people in the industry. Following that, lots of doors shut down but a lot of windows also opened up. Now, though it’s more tough to get the music out there but all those who follow Euphoria find, discover and follow our music. And that is what has kept Euphoria alive and relevant, along with our concerts because the people of this country have never given up on Euphoria.

Euphoria will be performing across the country. (PR handout)

There is space for all kinds of music if you make it with integrity and honesty. I don’t think the definition of good music changes, it’s the labels that dictate that as it makes them more money. So, relevance is decided by a few people, not the audience. The audience just wants to hear a good song, whether it is rock or ghazal or soft melodies — which could be by anyone. But, in the end, a good song is a good song and people will always listen to it.

What is the most challenging thing about being a music band in India today?

Nowadays there are very few bands because the concept of the singer being the most important person has faded. We too have had problems but thankfully have found a way where we all are comfortable with each other for the kind of music we are making and the path we are following. What a good band needs is a good leader who is humble and understands that he/she has to be a follower, too. Also, there has to be humility and mutual respect.

How different were things when you started as compared to emerging bands today?

I don’t know many of them. Yes, I’ve heard their music and think they are fantastic. There are some nice bands like Yellow Diaries, Parvaaz, When Chai Met Toast — but how do I compare? There was a very talented band called Local Train which created a stir initially. But then they suddenly fizzled out. So, the biggest and most important thing every band needs to achieve is longevity. Also, it’s important to be different; like nobody has reprised our style — that entire Indo-Western style we have. So actually, there is nobody who sounds like Euphoria.

Your songs — from Maeri to Dhoom Pichak — are still extremely popular. What do you think is the reason for the same?

It’s the honesty of our music and songs: the words are simple, honest, direct, and dignified. And all our music videos convey very simple but intelligent stories. We don’t objectify women, they are the story (in our videos). We are not trying to be somebody, but just be ourselves and that makes a difference. That’s it. I think we are genuinely loved by people because they identify with us as the guy(s) next door who is trying to do music the middle-class way.

How important are live shows for musicians, and why?

We are in a country where the payment system for royalties is still not chalked out. The system is pretty much unfair, especially for independent artistes. So, live shows become the most important thing for musicians because that’s how they make all their money. We are also part of that system, and our entire income is through live gigs — and the best part about it is the instant gratification, and the chance to get on stage to tell people what we do. If a musician cannot reproduce his song on stage in the live format in the same way that he recorded it, then there is no fun.

Can we expect Euphoria 3.0 shortly?

We keep doing new stuff every day. If you hear Sale (our new album) you will understand — Khwaamkhaa doesn’t sound like Baavra, Baavra doesn’t sound like Kesariya Baalma, Kesariya Baalma doesn’t sound like Sale, which doesn’t sound like Saajna. This has been our mantra from day one — ki ek album mein har gana has to be different, it has to have its own story, and we are still doing that. From Euphoria, you always expect the unexpected. So, there’s never going to be another Bairi, or Dhoom Pichak, or Baavra. That’s how we look at music.