Have you heard Karsh Kale‘s newest release yet? Collaborating with Sony for their second season of Project Resound, Karsh has produced, “We All Fall” featuring Sabir Khan and Ankita Joshi. As soon as we heard the track, we couldn’t wait to get into the mind of one of the worlds most sought after fusion artists.
For those of you who don’t know him – yet – Karsh Kale is an über talented multi-instrumentalist, genre bending producer, world renowned global fusion pioneer and quite a handsome looking fella! Being the nice guy that he is, Karsh took time out from creating beautiful sounds, for an exclusive one on one with us to talk about his creations, his childhood and to share career advice for those of you picking a future in music.
1. Team MissMalini: Your latest release is called ‘We all Fall’. How do you associate the song title with your inspiration?
Karsh Kale: I came up with the title when I first started composing the song. As the journey progressed and the final song shaped up, the title stuck on. This is because it evokes an emotion of empathy, just like the track itself.
2. TeamMM: Tell us about your experience working with Warren, Ankita and Sabir.
KK: Warren has been my songwriter and production partner for about 3 years now and he has to be one of the most gifted guitar players in India. Sabir, who is the son of the late great Ustad Sultan Khan, contributed beautifully to the track. Ankita is a singer I recently discovered. She is a student of the great Pandit Jasraj and is breaking into the scene in a big way. Her voice brings an authenticity and purity to the sentiment within the track.
3. TeamMM: For someone who doesn’t know you, what would be your best composition to be introduced to Karsh Kale?
KK: Well, that is the composition I am yet to create and in all probability, would be the most difficult task. I love to express so many styles of music at once that it is difficult to pin it down in one song. Perhaps I can define myself in one concert, and even that becomes difficult.
4. TeamMM: You’re an Indian who’s born in England and grown up in America. What has each country contributed to your music and which one has the strongest influence on you?
KK: I don’t think it’s really about the place but the travel for me. I left England when I was only 2 years old yet am quite rooted into much of the British rock and pop that came over to our shores from the late 60’s. That being said, some of my fondest moments listening to rock records were driving through the streets of Mumbai as a kid while some of my most profound experiences with Indian music happened in USA. So I think what is unique for me is my travel, and how it has almost come full circle for me, back to Mumbai, where my mother was born and raised.
5. TeamMM: You’re a self taught musician. What was the first instrument you layed your hands on? Tell us a little about that experience.
KK: My first instruments were pots and pans when I was about 3 or 4 years old. When we visited India back in 1978, my very first trip to the country, it was the first time I touched a Tabla. My father was very close friends with the local music director who had a living room filled with instruments. I knew that I would have a unique relationship with that instrument for the rest of my life. I didn’t have tablas at home till a few years later, but I did get a drums set. All hell broke loose after that.
6. TeamMM: Is there an instrument that you want to learn to play but haven’t yet been able to?
KK: Too many to keep a count of. Sarod, sarangi, more guitar, flute, morchang, carnatik vocals and many more. There is an ocean of new instruments and fun toys that I’d love to explore.
7. TeamMM: You have done a lot of work with folk musicians from India. Even though you speak the same language – music – is it difficult to convince them to transition beyond their traditions?
KK: It’s rare for a musician to be hesitant. Musicians are explorers by nature and understand the similarities in style more that the average listener or connoisseur. My experience with most classical and folk artists is that they are always excited to explore something different.
8. TeamMM: Which artist that you would kill to collaborate with?
KK: Well I would refrain from violence, but I’ve always wanted to write music with Peter Gabriel.
9. TeamMM: We see a lot of young musical talent emerging in India. In an industry that is still maturing in India, what advice do you have for someone who’s breaking into music but chooses to create sounds that are not mainstream Bollywood?
KK: Expect to do it yourself, for a while. The industry needs innovators and risk takers that it doesn’t really have much of at the moment. The independent scene itself will only design the business model that will work; so more people need to be willing to sail into this uncharted water. If and when it works is usually when the mainstream catches on and imitates it.
10. TeamMM: Who do you think are the new musical talents emerging from India that we should keep an eye – or should I say a ear for?
KK: There are many new bands and projects, producers emerging every day out of India. I’d always say that one must watch out for artists who are composing their own material because they are the ones that will continue to grow with the industry.
11. TeamMM: Where do you see the future of Indian music?
KK: I think that it has been and will continue to have a profoundly deep impact on the art of composition and improvisation in the world of music over. I think just as Blues and Jazz runs though music like a bloodline, Indian music has made such an impact on the world of music. I think it will soon enough be a part of the world’s understanding of what music is.
12. TeamMM: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear:
Purity of sound: The Beach
Midival Punditz: My Bros
Electric Tabla: Bell Cafe
Project Resound: Collaboration
Dubstep: Bass Culture
Mumbai: Eco System
Autotune: Photoshop
Incase, you’ve missed the video for “We Are Fall”, have a listen below.
PS: Want a pair of Sony headphones like Karsh Kale’s? Read here to find out how you can win a set.