Sound Advice

“I’ve born into a very musical family,” Hunterz trained in Indian classical music and studied under tabla legend Ustad Sukhwinder Singh ‘Pinky’ of Benares Gharana. He also has a knack of playing varied instruments, so it comes as no surprise that he can tap a range from tabla, harmonium (percussion) to guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano etc. By the age of nine he was playing with different bands and performing on stage regularly. “After studying from the Guitar Institute of London and participating in the Royal National Theatre’s production ‘Wicked Yaar’, I got into the professional music arena,” says Hunterz who made history when shared the stage with King of Pop, Michael Jackson in Mumbai. Wet Wet Wet, Lisa Stansfield, Brand New Heavies, Lou Bega, Sting, UB40, Hans Raj Hans, Malkit Singh, Shin (DCS)…Hunterz whipped up music with the record names. “UB40 was the best. With others, it’s like come and go, but with these guys, it’s on a different wavelength altogether. They share my music, and we are great friends too,” Hunterz was also instrumental in producing Stereo Nation’s smash hit album Slave II Fusion. Singer, producer, songwriter, musician, the guy credits his rich environment with his ecclectic influences. “I was brought up in a area surrounded by Sri Lankans, Pakistianis, Bangladeshis, Punjabis, the British and all this trickled down in my music.” But what he also credits is his taleem, his training and knowledge sharing process. “If you want to break the rules, you’ve got to know them real well first,” he gives a sound advise, adding that in order to sustain and survive, you’ve got to be original and earn the respect of your peers and fans. “Else, everyone manages 15 minutes, a year or two and fade out.” Hunterz wanted more than that. After a long wait, the musician finally released his debut project ‘Most Wanted’ in 2003, which propelled him in the international market as a solo artist. Remember the song ‘Rehle’ and Hans Raj Hans ‘Aja Kuriyeh’?

“There was another album with my brothers, and then lot of remixes, but now, I am looking forward to my album, The Masterpiece.” Music for a Pakistani film, item number with Sunidhi Chauhan and one with Richa Sharma, Hunterz on a roll. “It’s a very competitive world out there, you’ve got to churn out something new, something fresh everyday.” But is Indian music a global phenomenon? “Of course, Asian music is taken very seriously. Americans have been using big samples from Asian music, and the biggest market is the UK.”

For Hunterz, the most veratile artist is Apache Indian, and the guru of all, late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. “I’ve learned that you need to be open and grow with time, only then will you be successful and alive.” Another sound advise.