How did it feel to grow up in a house filled with great singers?
(Laughs) How do I feel? Like “Oh my God! What has happened?!” The beauty actually is that I never grew up thinking I would become a musician. I have seen how tough it has been... the discipline, the things you give up.... My grandmom has never tasted ice cream in her life because she has to keep her voice in good shape. These people are legends and a lot goes into the work that we see, which is why they are where they are. To me, music was a serious hobby and I had a corporate job. But then something in my blood was boiling and I succumbed.
Did the family influence you to take music as a career?
Actually, no... because my style of music is very Western. I grew up listening to the Beatles, Harry Belafonte, U2, Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison and The Doors. My calling also came at a time... to be brutally honest... when I hated what Bollywood was churning out in the ’80s. Even when I took my first step professionally, it was largely Western music. I had a rock band in college. And I knew this journey is not going to fill my stomach because it wasn’t commercially viable. Finally I made the transition to Indian music... pop.
How does it feel performing next to the legendary Asha Bhosle?
It’s nerve-wracking. She knows what the audience wants; she can feel the pulse of the audience. I think I get that from her, so we have a great time performing. I dance and sing, but with her I can’t do that because I know I am going to go a little off-key.
One look from her and that’s the end (laughs). I have to hold it all back and not jump around too much. Once we were doing a duet and my timing wasn’t correct. I was thinking: “Okay, here comes my line.”And as soon as I sang, I knew it was off. I looked at her... she’s so professional. She looked at me and gave me one of those killer smiles (laughs).
Will we see a collab project in the future?
Definitely. I have already done two collboarations with her. We did a song called Coming Home which is based on my life experience.