Neha's incapable of aping anyone’s style

Singer Neha Bhasin, who recently shot a video for her album in Ukraine, of all places, tells Reagan Gavin Rasquinha that the experience of making music was a passionate one indeed
What have you been up to creatively, over the last few months and so on?
I’ve been recording and co-songwriting my solo album for the last two years. Yes it could take that long here, when you are shuffling with other things in the music industry.I also feel very privileged to be able to sing in languages, which I have been doing and also thankfully get awarded for doing it well.
What fascinates me is the diverse cultural difference in our country and how divided we are just because of language. Music has helped not just reach out to my Hindi-speaking fans but those who speak Tamil and Telugu too. My first song will have a Tamil version of it too. That’s what I’ve been up to and yeah, I am very excited about finally releasing my record.
How would you place yourself career-wise today as compared to the past?
Since after Viva, my life’s been quite a ride. From Bollywood, to a Filmfare nomination, to singing and being loved down South and touring all over India, I was wondering what’s missing. I realised that I miss singing my own stuff, I miss shooting videos and being the star upfront. Now that’s where my 9-year-old dream had started so I ‘gotta do what I gotta do’. I always wanted to be a performing artiste. I am happy with the solo path.
What are your current favorite songs and why?
Firstly, it’ll be ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’ by Beyonce. The woman’s got spunk so does the song. ‘Fireflies’ by Owl City. It’s a very pop-electronica song with lyrics that make me misty eyed. Then there’s ‘Amplifier’ by Imran khan. Oh, call me what you like but damn, I just love dancing to that song. There’s ‘New York’ by Alicia Keys, just because it sounds nice and ‘Again’ by Lenny Kravitz. The song is old but its got a very exotic feel to it.
How much creative control do you maintain over the songs that you sing?
I only know how to sing like myself, unfortunately I am incapable of aping anyone’s style. Unlike how in films you are someone else’s vision, on my album it was my baby and I was lucky to have a great music producer, to understand me as an artiste, most of the lyrics are written by me and are largely uninhibited, open and modern.
So what was it like, shooting the video in Ukraine?
Ah, shooting the video over four days in Kharkiv, Ukraine will be an experience I’ll never forget. Watching international videos on video sharing websites, I often wondered, when will it be my turn. So I worked tirelessly and loved every minute of it. The whole team was from Ukraine. Gorgeous people, old architecture, lovely hearts and those girls in video sure could shake their butts!. The flavour of the video is hip hop, color and sexuality. It’s a celebration of the one thing men and women both worship — a woman’s butt!
Did you get to sample the musical scene in Ukraine?
Oh yes, the Ukranian language is very phonetic and exotic. Techno and trance is very popular there. I loved their music, and got some back with me. What's great is they experiment a lot with their sound. They’re into rock as well as their folk music.
Will your album have Ukrainian music too, in it?
No but they will play my video there, they loved the song and strangely, they don’t really know what Indians look like. Hence they thought I am Armenian. We were contemplating a Russian version though, lets see.
And what about the Ukainian food and the social life...
Haha, I am a vegeterian so while everyone meaty Ukrainin food, I stuck to some authentic Ukrainan sourdough bread, their yummy bean soups, cheese and this dish called gretchka, which kept me energized. The good news is they find our skin colour exotic. I was white amused to be called ‘exotica’ often. But I totally enjoyed the attention.
Getting back to Viva, are you’ll open to a reunion? Are you in touch with the ex Viva girls?
I don’t believe in turning back pages, I am in touch with some of them. No reunion for me though.
Any plans to settle down sometime or are you planning to pursue music only?
Settle down? No, I just started having fun. I want to make love to music. It’s music for me, all the way.
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