Home
|
Exclusive: Signia's Indepth Interview with Chakdey.com! |
Ok, For people that don’t know ‘Signia’ give the readers at Chakdey.com a little introduction?
Sanj-J: Well, I am San-J, one of two lead singers for Signia. To me, Signia is more than just a band, it is a vehicle that has been created, and constantly recreated, by LV and myself to allow us to express our creative vision and communicate some of our thoughts to whoever in the world wants to listen. I like to think it can be compared to an artist’s blank canvas where we paint whatever we feel like.
LV: Well let's get started my Name is LV - co lead singer of Signia.
How did you get started in bhangra?
Sanj-J: I started off dancing on a bhangra team as well as playing dhol, however our crew rarely kept things totally traditional, there was always some sort of element that made what we were doing different from what others were doing and that opened up doors and brought forward opportunities that weren’t present through more traditional avenues. I teamed up with LV who was part of the same dance crew as me, and since we both had been singing since we were young, we decided to take what was then just a hobby and step it up to another level and thus Signia was born. Our experience from dancing and playing dhol showed us that there was an abundance of opportunities to showcase our music especially in non-traditional ways, and that is why Signia is not just a traditional bhangra band and that is also why we perform at so many world music festivals and non-Indian gigs. But don’t get us wrong we still love to turn up a good Jazzy B song and break out the old bhangra moves.
LV: I got started in Bhangra at a very young age I was probably around 5 when I was put in a Bhangra dance group and I loved it. The passion I had for the music and even the singing aspect did not come around until I was in my late teens and then from there it was on when I approached San-j to join up with me in 2000 to start SIGNIA and history was made.... and still being made!!!!
Who is your inspiration? Who do you look up to in the industry?
Sanj-J: My inspiration is happiness…I am doing what I do because it makes me happy and I try to live my life so that I am as happy as possible as much as possible. We all have experienced events in our lives that continuously remind us that life is short, so I am just trying to make the most of mine while I am here. But if I had to pick a person that inspires me I would say my Dad because he also lives by the same philosophy and he is living proof that we can do what we love in life. In the industry (and I am assuming you mean the Indian music industry) I would have to say people like Taz (Johnny Z), Rishi Rich, and Bally Sagoo, mostly people that haven’t been scared to push musical boundaries. These people have taken “bhangra” music and created sub genres and made it okay to have songs that aren’t just dhol and tumbi. Bally Sagoo created some really good dance/techno songs, they just happened to have Punjabi/Hindi lyrics.
Rishi Rish has made some great R & B beats and produced some really good songs; once again they just happen to have Indian influences and/or lyrics. These guys have proven that a good R & B song is a good R & B song regardless of what language the lyrics are in. People who are not in the music industry may not know the importance of what they are doing, music always gets put into “world music” categories if it is sung in another language, but hopefully that will change and one day you will see people like Juggy D nominated in the same category as say Usher regardless of what language the lyrics are in. And for the old school I have to say I look up to Heera, they were awesome.
LV: Well..... There has been many over time. I think the biggest influence as a entertainer was MR Big B ...some people may not know him but it is Mr. Amitabh Bachchan the greatest entertainer of all time...from since the time I can remember his films, his concerts.... dancing and his dishoooomms (fight scenes that is) and picking up all those good looking actresses as well. He is and always will be DAH MAN ~!! From R&B, Pop and even stars of all the great Punjabi and Hindi Singers ...I have taken allot from each one to make me a stand out entertainer. I look up to people like Ustad Nusrat fateh Ali Khan, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Jazzy B, Kumar and Dhami of Heera Group, Channi of Alaap, Waadali Brothers, and certainly but not least the MR GURDAS MANN who is my idol and I would be honored to do a track with him!!!!!
How would you describe your music?
Sanj-J: My music is me…especially on our up coming album, Signiatures, I think it really reflects a lot of what I am into…but for those that don’t know me personally I would say our sound is a mixture of bhangra, hip hop, R & B, pop, we even have some dance hall flavor on it as well. Musically it has a whole shit load of stuff. I think soon enough I will be able to describe our sound as “Signia”, and people will be able to identify what that means…Vancouver’s neo-bhangra sound.
LV: Our music is all F$%##*& up!!! It has great music good flow and has a great dancing groove!!!But hey you guys and girls email us and tell us what you think!!!!
What do you feel about the state of the Bhangra Industry in Canada compared to other parts of the world like the UK?
Sanj-J: I can only speak for western Canada; I don’t really know what is going on out east. I would have to say that there isn’t that much going on compared to the UK. I mean I don’t really consider Jazzy B, Kamal Heer, Manmohan Warris, or Harbhajan Mann, to be Canadian music. I am proud that these guys are from Vancouver, but in terms of their production that is all done outside of Canada. I can say that things are getting a lot better out here, and that in the next few years there are going to be some really good things coming out of Canada, but unlike the UK, which has had a bhangra scene since the early 80’s, Canada is a small country with regards to population so it really is a numbers game and thus the industry can’t be expected to be as big. Josh made some good progress with their song with Nelly Furtado, so that was really cool, and we even got airplay for our video on much more music…so things are happening but I feel that in the next 5 to 10 years a lot more is going to be coming out of Canada and that it will actually start to grow exponentially.
LV: Well the Indian music scene as a whole in Canada is a bit slow, but it is picking up!! But if we think about it we have pumped out the biggest people in our industry!! Jazzy B Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer, Harbahjan Mann. I have seen both sides of the music world, as in the UK it is easier to sell and tour, as it is smaller. I like what the UK has done for the last 20 years in music ... and they keep getting better ...but now with the influences of America and Canada I see a big change in the industry with all the Rap Stars joining up with Indian artists to make stuff happen on a main stream level ...just where you will Signia emerge!!!!
What are your thoughts on PA’s verses live bands? Do you think PA’s are killing the industry?
Sanj-J: P.A.’s are not killing the industry; some of the artist’s out there are. Live bands are always better; because that is the whole point of seeing live music-for the music, all of it, to be live. But unfortunately sometimes circumstances don’t allow for a full band and that is fine, and so PA’s are sufficient. The problem is when the singers don’t sing live, or they sing over top of full vocals. That, in my opinion, is cheating the audience; it then becomes no different than listening to the cd in one’s car. I really enjoy the “realness” of watching a band perform live, the rawness gives the music character. So I would say PA’s are great because they allow lower budget gig’s to happen, but artists that don’t respect their profession and their audience by singing with full backing tracks are making the industry look stupid.
I also believe that it is somewhat up to the audience to educate themselves in the difference between live singing and singing on full tracks and full out lip syncing, so that those singers out there that are doing it can’t get away with it anymore. The guys in the band are my friends first and then the dudes in the band. We got together because Signia decided that it was time to switch to playing live music (which was one of the best decisions Signia has ever made!). I have known all the guys for years and it was only right that we get together to form the band.
The only “new comer” was Rick our bassist, but he has fit in like we have been friends forever; actually he has proved that he is as fucked up as the rest of us, thus he fits right in. The drums are played by Pip, who toured with Malkit Singh for years in England. He and our keyboardist Nick Chowlia (also one of the producers we worked with for “Signiatures”) have been friends forever from back in England where Nick was a member of the band Achanak and played keys for them as well. Our DJ, DJ Reminisce (another one of the producers of “Signiatures”) is Vancouver’s best South Asian DJ’s and was one of the founders of the group MIB back in the days. Ravi Binning is the younger brother of the group and he plays a mean ass dhol, both Ravi and DJ Reminisce play with us if we ever do any PA gigs.
LV: I love live bands ... allot promoters can afford the $$$ over the PA system ... for sound live will always kicks ass but even with PA's the singers sing only on top of the full CD and I hate that!!! Even with the PA's a singer should have no vocals on it and sing live. But in the past we have even sung on PA's but never with vocals underneath. But nothing will ever compare to SIGNIA's live set and band they are truly great!!!
Your debut album ‘Yours for the Taking’ was released under the Music Minds record label, Why did you choose them and how did you hook up with them? Who produced that album?
Sanj-J: Our first album “Yours for the taking” was produced by Nick Chowlia (see above for more details). In North America Music Minds distributed the album and in India it was released by another company called Aura Entertainment. The whole distribution thing has been a real nightmare and is a very long story so I won’t get into the details, but I will say that I have learned a lot. Music Minds was chosen because in North America they were a new company and we liked the ideas that they had in mind in terms of what they wanted to achieve and how they wanted to change some of the ways distribution and marketing of bands and new albums was done, they were also based here in Vancouver which made things easier.
LV: No comment on the 1st part of the question!!! SIGNIA ENTERTAINMENT co-produced the album with NICK CHOWLIA (www.nickchowlia.com) but we did everything with our very talented team. We are a group of brothers who all have different expertises and we come together for good of the album.
You’ve performed at many events and venues, What is your favourite performance and why?
Sanj-J: Hmm…it is tough to narrow things down like that…I will always remember my first performance for obvious reasons and because we were well received which is rare for a first gig. Performing at the bollywood Temptations show was kind of surreal because not many people can say they have performed at the Pacific Coliseum in front of ten thousand people, and I have seen bands like Def Leppard perform there. In March we did Rock the Mic with Juggy D, Veronica and Raghav at the Queen Elizabeth theatre and that was our first live band show and I know I will never forget that but I think my absolute favorite performance has to be the one at Atlantis nightclub last August. The energy in that place that night was amazing; it was one of the best highs ever. That night truly captured the essence of Signia.
LV: We have performed in allot of great venues and gigs we have performed with Jazz B, Shinda, Manak-E, RDB, Juggy D, Veronica, Raghav, even with Shah Ruk Khan, Arjan Rampal, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerjee, Preity Zinta, Celina Jaitly, Daler Mendhi, and list goes on... But my 2 personal favorites were at the Juggy D Raghav and Veronica show where we had the live band that show was off the hook we kicked ass, my 2nd favorite show was the TEMPTATIONS show where we performed in front of 10,000+ screaming fans we pumped up the show and the fans loved it!!!!
What do you feel is your biggest achievement?
Sanj-J: Just being able to put out one CD is pretty good but the fact that we are coming out with the second one and that I have actually written songs on it is definitely a big achievement for me. I am pretty proud that I have stuck through this long too…this industry is damn tough!
LV: There are many big achievements that we have conquered but there yet so many more that SIGNIA needs to achieve. I think that getting the band grooving together and being so proud of the guys putting in many many hours of hard work for a show has to be up there.. It is a great feeling when you come together to make it sound so damn good!!! Going to INDIA and touring it was great it took allot of time and effort to be prepared on something that you have no control on ...I think being there and getting to all these venues in Bombay, Punjab, Delhi and performing in front of our people was awesome ...and even getting through all the interviews in Hindi was a big achievement!!!
Do you think it is nessecary for somebody to have musical training to be successful in the industry?
Sanj-J: No not necessary, but it does help. There are always things to work on and things to improve and new styles to learn. Training is knowledge and we all know the saying that knowledge is power. I don’t believe that you have to go to India and train with an Ustaad for years and years to make it, but you need to have some natural talent, and be smart enough to build upon that talent.
LV: I think some sort of training is very important but these days having a full package before delivering your product to the industry is the most important.... but if you have the drive to succeed go for it... but get some guidance and practice before you do it!!
Your upcoming album, “Signatures”. people Tell us a about it. What can expect on this release?
Sanj-J: I think Signiatures is the perfect album to follow up to “Yours For the Taking”, it really showcases how Signia has grown and evolved from when we first started, and the sound in definitely more representative of who we are as musicians. There are 12 tracks on the album produced by 3 different producers, Nick Chowlia, DJ Reminisce, and Desi Method. I expect this album is going to further define Vancouver’s bhangra sound.
LV: Signia-tures it is going to change the industry ...and what I mean for that it is going to be main stream in the English market as well ...it is going to bring Punjabi music and our culture to the forefront. Signia-tures is a album that has such great music which is derived by many producers and it has a unique sound that people do not want to stop listening to...it has good videos and promotion packages. We are hoping that all music listeners will enjoy it as we have enjoyed producing it for you the fans of ours...please listen to it and enjoy!!!!
Is there a release date set for the album?
Sanj-J: hahhaha…can anyone say behind schedule? It was supposed to be out already, at least the last couple of tracks are just being finished and the others are in the mixing process. We have actually been really busy with gigs that we just haven’t had the time to finish it off, so expect it to be out later on in the summer.
LV: Release date summer of 2006 Get ready party!!! And enjoy!!!!!
What is your take on the quality of bhangra music videos that are being aired currently? How many videos are we to expect for “Signatures”?
Sanj-J: The quality of videos out there really does vary, it is hard to generalize something like that. There are the really shitty ones that just suck and then there are the ones from Bombay that that are shot on film and have huge budgets. I guess all I can say is that some of ideas in the videos are improving and things are changing for the better. One of my favorite videos is where Juggy D is just sitting in a café…it is so simple and yet so affective. On Signiatures we are planning to do 3 videos as a minimum, more videos definitely increase the album life especially in India which is our biggest market.
LV: Bhangra videos are getting boring same old shite!! Watch and see what SIGNIA is about to do!! They are fun and easy watching and they are totally different watch and see!!! We are hoping to do about 3 - 4 videos!!
Is the south Asian media doing enough to support new talent?
Sanj-J: There is a huge bias in the South Asian media to support already established talent, but the blame can’t be put totally on the media, as they are trying to make money and sell advertising space. So I put a lot of the blame on the audience because I find the South Asian public in general are not ones to be open to supporting new bands; they want to hear and see the stuff that they know and are comfortable with. How many times have you been to a wedding reception and have seen the dance floor clear when a new song, that people don’t know yet, comes on? It is a similar situation in media, and I find judgment is made too quickly before giving new things a chance. In the western, or mainstream market there are a lot more people interested in hearing or finding new bands, indie underground bands or even new sounds. Jazzy B is a prime example, when he first came out people said he sucked, but he didn’t, he had to go make a name for himself elsewhere first then people accepted him here.
I really think South Asian media needs to do a lot more to promote and help new talent as well as local talent. Don’t get me wrong, we have had good support over the past two years, but I still feel that more can and should be done, especially for other artists trying to come up. The general public should also get behind new talent and show support to them as opposed to knocking them down for the very reason that the “new guys” are the next ones to run the industry and make the hits of the future. People have to start somewhere and they can only do better with everyone’s support.
LV: South Asian Media is not doing enough at all!!! They are trying with the help of Chakdey.com and other media outlets but at the same time they have to be more to help our artists become more popular and change up the industry a bit. I think promoters as well as media have to help get more shows and new acts out there!!!
Are there any other projects in the pipeline? What can we expect from Signia in the near future?
Sanj-J: Signia is going to be going on a tour to promote “Signiatures” after it is released, and we will also be working on a live recording, which I would like to see as a DVD as well. Other than that, there are some collaborations that we are working on already with other local artists (once again really trying to promote and further establish the Vancouver neo-bhangra sound). Other than all that, which will probably take at least a year, I want to start on the next album quite quickly; I already have some awesome ideas for that.
LV: Well no new projects as of yet except SIGNIA-tures and getting the whole packages ready for the public from the videos distribution and even the promo kits to sent out... this is taken allot time ...but we are open to any projects and once this album comes out we start on the next chapter ...the next album!!!!
Do you have any final messages for the readers of Chakdey.com?
Sanj-J: Thanks for all the support, check out Signiatures when it comes out ‘cause it won’t disappoint. And I really appreciate all the love we get, thanks for it ‘cause it allows me to keep doing what I am doing and have the best job in the world.
LV: To all the Chakdey.com readers and sponsors ...keep our Punjabi music alive ...give all artists a chance ...buy the album ...do not download it help artists make more music!!!.... And to all the readers keep giving all your artists the support they need by giving them your input on there albums!! Last but not least ...Make all your dreams a reality because I definitely did with SIGNIA ...Dreams are a reality if you give yourself a chance to make them one!!!! EMAIL US ANY TIME AT www.signiaonline.com. Love to hear from you!!! Cheers and peace out LV of SIGNIA!!!!! Thanks CHAKDEY.COM for your support!!!
Interview by Manpal Rana
|
|
|
|
