MUMBAI: He performs before the Queen of England, makes the audiences sing-along while pogo dancing, scolds his audiences and everyone loves him. The clueless mentor for upcoming artistes on MTV Ray Ban Never Hide Sounds 2013 is all set to give music for a yet-to-be-named Yashraj film starring Rishi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Ayushmann which will be out early next year. To the readers’ delight, he hinted at working on an “epic Hindi film” which is still in talks. A “breezy” Raghu Dixit discusses with Radioandmusic.com’s Disha Deshpande his relationship with his couch, musicians and drugs, and his funda behind the Lungi and Ghungroo.
Excerpts:
What do you do apart from music during your free time?
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I wish I could get some free time. I would just watch movies while on my couch getting a massage. Most of the free time I get is in hotels or on flights. I read a lot. My constant companion is India after Gandhi which is a brilliant book by Ramachandra Guha. I easily get engrossed in History. But my first choice would be to watch movies. Apart from that, there are, of course, the tech magazines that I read for my music production. My wife has made me a major comic addict… My Favorite? Do you even have to ask? It would be Calvin and Hobbes, hands down! I would kill to not travel. My wife and I have a cozy house with an amazing couch. Not having to travel is a relief. In October I am home for exactly five precious days. I am just going to stay on my couch watching movies, reading books, leafing through the newspapers and relaxing.
You really love your couch, don’t you?
Oh yes. It is really quite unhealthy, the attachment. Maybe I should opt for more uncomfortable seating. We are inseparable.
Do you meditate?
No. I haven’t got into that mumbo-jumbo yet. When you have music, I don’t think you need anything else to calm you down. Plus, I wouldn’t do too well. I have a 30 second attention span. But people tell me I should meditate and that it will help me. I guess I should try it (pondering)…
How does your wife deal with all your travelling and gigging?
She is coming to terms with it. It has taken her eight years, too (laughs). Jokes apart, she is an artist and hence, understands the passion I feel towards my work. The thing is, I have to travel even if I don’t want to. I have many people, like my manager, PR person, crew, band members, depending on the money I get paid for a show. It is for them that I have to go. Honestly, if I could do one show that pays me as much as 20 shows, I would take that one show in a jiffy.
It is said that musicians turn towards drugs to seek inspiration, and that they perform while high? Your take.
Yes. I have heard it too. A bunch of stupid losers coined that phrase. When music itself gives you such a high, why anything else? People ask me whether I drink before I go on stage or if I smoke. Some of them say, “So you must be doing Ganja!” I don’t. In fact, no one from my band even smokes, and I wouldn’t have anyone who needs to be high to make good music. It has always been my primary requirement. An occasional beer is as far as it goes.
Who do you think is one of the top indie artists these days?
There are too many wonderful artistes. Coke Studio is spewing out new and fantastic talent all the time. I have never heard any music arranger do what Clinton Cerejo does. He is the certainly the best, in my opinion. I supremely adore Nandini Srikar. There is a great Malayalam Rock band called Thaikkudam Bridge that I like.
Why do you think your music works with the audience?
How would I know? I just do my s**t! I guess people feel it makes them feel light and happy. Everyone has good fun at our gigs because we ourselves enjoy thoroughly when we are on stage. Our songs are always about happy and positive thoughts. Our song ‘Lokada Kalaji’ means ‘don’t worry, be happy. But if you want to worry, I don’t give a damn. I have a bunch of amazing musicians performing with me. Maybe that works. I strongly believe that bands should avoid performing sad and depressing songs. It just makes the crowd gloomy.
How do you prepare yourself when you make music and when you perform live? What is your “process”?
There is no process really. Songs happen in the most unexpected places. I just record them on my phone quickly. When I have some time to myself, I listen to it again, and work on it when I come back to the studio. I get a basic melody in place along with the lyrics. Once we get together to jam, I let give the band what I have and let them go at it. Once it is done, we pick what sounds best. During concerts and gigs, we rarely get the chance to hit a rehearsal room. Basically, one concert becomes practice for another.
What is the funda behind the Lungi and Ghungroo?
Look. The Lungi is for selfish reasons. Ventilation chahiye! And the Ghungroo is too keep people alert. (laughs)
