MUMBAI: Singer and TV personality Ramona Arena is on a roll these days. Her recent single (released last month) ‘Hello World on Dutch label 925 Music has been well received. She and partner in crime 23 year old DJ Anish Sood (Arena has written, composed and sang for the track; Sood has taken over the production) are currently in the middle of the Heineken ‘Open Your World Tour’ to promote the single across the metros.
Radioandmusic.com caught up with Ms Arena in Mumbai for a quick pre-show tete-a-tete.
Excerpts:
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Hi Ramona, tell us about your new single ‘Hello World’.
It’s an upbeat and summery House music that celebrates life. It asks the world: ‘How are you feeling?’ ‘I turn on the radio/ And I know I’ll be OK’.
It’s my second project with Anish Sood and the first time an Indian singer and Indian DJ are touring together. I am amazed at the support brands like Heineken and Submerge are giving to home grown artists. The song is already available on iTunes and our Dutch label is getting us airplay. The promotion is primarily being done on the digital platform and a video may be in the works.
How has the response been to your song?
The response we received has been really good. My biggest thrill is to see people singing along for both the songs Hello World and (earlier track) ‘Wanna Be Your Only Love’ and knowing they know the lyrics to the song.
Are Indian pop acts making their mark in the international market?
Some Indian artists like Anil Chawla and Arjun Vagale are doing amazing work in the international scene but the media is not focusing on them. Chawla has worked with some of the biggest names.
An artist like (actress) Priyanka Chopra has a giant label (Universal) behind her. Whereas I am doing my best within my capacity. You can only do so much but you need to keep doing it. Ultimately word spreads. We are doing whatever it takes and finally doors will open. There’s a lot of talent in India.
Are you open to offers from Bollywood?
I am open to Bollywood offers. And I enjoy to it when I’m at a sangeet or everyone’s together dancing to it. dancing to Bollywood songs. They only thing is: people say I have a slight accent (for Bollywood songs).
What are your personal tastes when it comes to music?
I am open to every kind of music. More than talk about what kind of music I like, I can tell you what I don’t like: Death Metal, hard core rap and folksy country music that have those banjos parts.
As a person who has worked in many fields, any projects other than music you are involved in?
I have a lot on my plate and am enjoying it. But I am making a conscious decision to focus in music.
Any parting words for our readers?
I’d like people to be aware of the need to pay for music they download and listen to. Music is like any product- if you like it, you buy it whether it’s a fruit, clothes, restaurant- it’s the same for music. People think artists are rich but that’s not (really) true. They have to realize there are a hundred things and people involved to make an artist’s music work. What if artists decided to stop making music? It would be sad if people stopped listening to music.
