We add a bit of originality to cover versions: Sanam

Sanam, the pop-rock band which rose to prominence through YouTube, was recently in Benaluru for a performance. In this third visit to the city as a quartet, they reflect on how the music scene has evolved, working in the film industry and their future as a band. Excerpts:
‘We wanted to step out of our image of romance and simplicity’Sanam: We have this image of churning out romantic numbers which we wanted to step out of, so we decided to come up with this gangster theme for Kya hua tera waada and Aur iss dil mein’s music videos. We want to go even a step further in the future, something that will involve graphics and VFX, but that’s a secret for now (laughs).
‘We love composing, but our cover versions are always in demand’Sanam: Initially, we only used to do original music. Then in 2013, we did the cover version of Jee Le Zara and it fetched a good response. It was after we came up with the cover version of Lag Ja Gale that we really blew up and started receiving a lot of requests. Initially we were in a dilemma because we wanted to do original work, but then we looked at the demand and the appreciation and went ahead with covers. We learnt so much while producing covers, how to keep the soul of a song alive while also adding our own personality into it.

‘We are here to make music and that’s it’Sanam: We are here to make music and give something to people through it. We heard a story about how a couple who was about to separate kept their relationship going because they listened to our songs, anecdotes of music having a healing effect on people, that is what means the most to us. We just want to keep delivering more of the same, no such thing as making it.
‘Bengaluru’s youngsters are very expressive’Keshav: This is our third time performing in the city, it’s been a while since we were last here and I must say, the whole vibe has changed. I am used to the old Bengaluru crowd, but this has always been a music-oriented city. I notice that young people here are very expressive. At places like Church Street and Cubbon Park, you often find someone singing or performing. That’s good because you need music around you to grow as a young artiste.
On working with the film industryVenky: We’ve had opportunities in the film industry, but it is not something we are actively pursuing. The process of creating music for a film is based on specific situations, whereas as a band, we make music based on our own ideas and aesthetic. So if movies happen, well and good, but otherwise too we are happy as is.