Recently, Irfan had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best up and coming stars on the desi music scene at the moment, namely 'Jamil Felix.' He is the man behind the vocals for the new boys on the Asian scene, the 'True Players.' They have recently released their self-entitled debut album on the Untouchables label.
Irfan: How did you become to be known as True Players? I mean whose idea was that?
Jamil: While we were making the album, we were juggling work, music and other commitments. During production Carl (one of the producers) said that we should be called it due to the way we managed our time as true players would and we liked the name so we kept it as he was right it sounded just like us!
|
Irfan: What made you choose Untouchables ahead of other record labels?
Jamil: Well, we got introduced to Tony through RDB. He heard our demo tape and was willing to take a gamble with a new sound. It made a lot of sense to us it's good to have RDB influence, as they are the in-house producers for the album. Another huge reason for choosing them ahead of others was the fact that the amount of promotion they give to new artists is second to none.
Irfan: So tell me more about the new album i.e. who is featuring on it?
Jamil: All the lyrics are done by True Players with production from RDB, Carl & Nigel (The Yogo Master).
Irfan: How did you meet Deepak?
Jamil: Deepak was a DJ and through various gigs we |
|
| kept on bumping into each other. We were just chatting away one day and he had a few ideas. He prefers the western style of music (RnB, garage, hip hop etc) but personally I prefer the Hindi stuff. We were two guys who had a vision of bringing the two styles together and so True Players was formed. |
Irfan: Who are your favourite singers?
Jamil: There are so many that I admire including Mohammed Rafi, Sonu Nigam, Kishore Kumar, Udit Narayan on the desi front. On the bhangra scene it would have to be Shin (lead singer of DCS) plus Taz (of Stereo Nation). On the English front it has to be George Micheal and Micheal Jackson.
Irfan: When you are not singing, what are you doing in your spare time?
Jamil: I love watching movies (Indian & English), going to the gym and reading. I used to be a semi-professional cricketer but don't get much time to play a lot these days. Plus just to state the obvious, I really like writing music.
Irfan: Do you have any tips for wannabe singers / producers?
Jamil: Believe in your dream. It's hard work so you will need to be professional but if you have the will power to succeed you will do just that. Also, don't give up just because you don't follow the mainstream.
|
|
Irfan: What should we expect from the True Players in the future?
Jamil: As far as we as the band is concerned we are still newcomers to the desi scene, so with some feedback from the album we can get some direction for the follow-up album. We want to create a new vibe and not just re-churn the same remixes that have been remixed countless times.
Irfan: If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would that word be?
Jamil: Enlightened
Irfan: Do you think that bhangra will ever make it mainstream?
Jamil: Definitely. I feel that there is a vast Asian market out there and the mainstream is catching along. I got |
| a gut f eeling that it's just a matter of when rather than if, I guess we'll have to wait and see when this is but I am confident that it will happen. |
Irfan: Do you have a final message for the thousands of desitunes4u.com visitors all over the world?
Jamil: Watch this space, the roller coaster ride has just begun!!
That concludes the interview, firstly a big thanks to Jay for taking some time out to do the interview. The album is out now so make sure you check out the 'True Players' album from a shop near you. If you want to e-mail them yourself then you can do at trueplayers@hotmail.com.
|
