Recently, Sidhu caught up with Joti Dhillon recently to talk about his debut album, Behind The Scenes.
Sidhu: First of all, what is your role in Planet Recordz? Tell us who else makes up Planet Recordz?
Joti Dhillon: I'm the main man, lol, jokes aside I am the A/V director for the label. I basically take care of the albums we release in terms of quality management, marketing and public relations. Since we are talking about Planet Recordz I would also like to introduce the management team of Planet Recordz. Besides me we have Mr Sarbjit Saroya who is the executive producer for all Planet Recordz projects, and then there is Mr Jaspreet Lamba who is leads the post and film division called Silver Planet Studios along with technological aspects of Planet Recordz.
Sidhu: How did you join Planet Recordz?
Joti Dhillon: Well I was walking down the street one day and I bumped into Sarbjit Saroya and that's when it all started. I mean I grew up listening to Bhangra and Punjabi music and it was a dream to be in or to at least know someone who is in the industry. Eventually I got that chance through Sarbjit Saroya. Slowly I started taking more of a management role alongside him and the rest is history.
Sidhu: All of a sudden what made you go towards music production, as it has been years you have been with Planet Recordz?
Joti Dhillon: It's just a gradual change. Well as we all know North America is not much known on Bhangra scene but huge into remixing, hip hop, reggae and other genres, but I kinda took the initiative to put my production on not only North America's but on the Toronto map. Watch out - there is going to be bigger and better things to come. I have been in touch with most of the producers and kinda learned as the times have progressed and eventually got my hands on few vocals and thought of taking up this side of the industry as well. But my main initiative is still management side.
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Sidhu: Tell us about your album 'Behind the Scenes.'
Joti Dhillon: It's all my hard work, passion and style of music I love; poured into it. The album will have different styles of music that I kinda grew up listening to. It has a bit of desi touch, hip-hop vibes, 2-step and some raw hardcore vocals to it.
Sidhu: Which singers are featuring on your album?
Joti Dhillon: On my album I have worked with Soni Pabla, Sukhdev Darapuria, Sodhi, Balwinder from Toronto, Raj Brar, Satwinder Bugga, Gurpal Matiar, Nirmal Sidhu from India.
Sidhu: Why the title 'Behind the Scenes?'
Joti Dhillon: Cuz till today I have been Behind the Scenes in this industry for like last 7-8 years.
Sidhu: Is there anything you have learned about music industry more while being at the production base? |
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Joti Dhillon: There is lot of hard work and passion that goes into composing and producing a music album. I have even more appreciation and respect for all the producers, djs and remixers who put so much hard work and sometimes never get appreciated.
Sidhu: What are the most important rewards you expect in this business?
Joti Dhillon: Appreciation from listeners for the music I produce. From Planet Recordz point of view I think more sales for us would be better and cut down on mp3 downloads.
Sidhu: A person who knows you well, will describe you as… ?
Joti Dhillon: Mr Funny.
Sidhu: Who are your favourite producers?
Joti Dhillon: Sukshinder Shinda, Charanjit Ahuja ji, Aman Hayer, RDB, Bhota Jagpal, Sangtar. Respect goes out to all the producers who put so much effort, hard work, and all the time into producing.
Sidhu: Who are some of the best local musicians you've seen or played with?
Joti Dhillon: Sukhdev Darapuria, Soni Pabla and Jazzy B (he is a Canadian).
Sidhu: Who are your favourite artists?
Joti Dhillon: Gurdas Mann, Malkit Singh, Kuldip Manak ji, Jazzy B, Sukhshinder Shinda (The Godfather), Chamkila and whole lot more.
Sidhu: And favourite songs?
Joti Dhillon: Too many to name but everyone was best in their own different ways.
Sidhu: Back to Planet Recordz, if somebody wants to sign up with you guys, what do you look for in them?
Joti Dhillon: No more signings. Joking, Well basically someone who is worthwhile to take a chance. Someone who has a really good work ethic, knowledge about music and the industry, and are compatible with us. We have just signed a new young artist from Toronto - Paul Sanghera. Those were the qualities that we looked for in him.
Sidhu: So how many videos shall we expect from this album?
Joti Dhillon: There will be few videos for this album. Its still up in the air as to how many but expect a video for Tere Nak Da Koka by Sukhdev Darapuria for sure.
Sidhu: What are future Planet Recordz releases?
Joti Dhillon: Yaar Na Vichrey by Satwinder Bugga will be released by the time you read this and we have just released Raj Brar's duet album, along with Planet Bhangra - a bhangra remix album done by various DJ's like DJ Harry, DJ Makhan from NYC, DJ Abstract from Toronto and many more. We will be releasing Aman Hayer's - GENIE-US in North America. Well there are loads of albums coming soon in the next few months so check out www.planetrecordz.com for more info.
Sidhu: After releasing your debut album, what are you going to do next?
Joti Dhillon: Make a Bollywood film. Joking… Probably chill and concentrate back on the management side. But do expect more albums from me though.
Sidhu: Some ladies wanted me to ask you that is Joti single and ready to mingle - any thoughts?
Joti Dhillon: Wink.
Sidhu: What's your opinion over Bhangra entering into mainstream? Do Planet Recordz have similar plans?
Joti Dhillon: Well Bhangra has been in mainstream scene for a while. Different artists come and they go into their own levels. Bally Sagoo had his thing, there was Apache Indian, and so many more and now Panjabi MC, and Rishi Rich has taken it a step forward. Now Jazzy B is coming out with a single and I'm pretty sure that there are more artists out there who will get into it like RDB and others but its all good for Bhangra overall. We at Planet Recordz are looking into some projects as well. Nav Sarao is working with a Toronto native mainstream singer. I am pretty sure we will look into doing something more.
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Sidhu: You guys are established in North America, so any future plans to set up Planet Recordz in Europe where Bhangra industry is large?
Joti Dhillon: Well we do have a video and post production house called Silver Planet Studios (www.silverplanet.ca). We offer a complete video and audio facility to create magic in house. Whether it's on the CD or video and film, our studio can make it happen. As for the European market, we are definitely considering U.K. along with other territories including India. |
Sidhu: What do you hope to be doing with your music in three years?
Joti Dhillon: Hopefully still in the business if all these mp3 downloads don't make us go bankrupt. But watch out bigger better things from Planet Recordz and me in next few years.
Sidhu: What do you think about mp3 downloads?
Joti Dhillon: Cancer for the music industry! There is so much money being lost due to mp3 downloads and so many record labels shutting down and so many artists choosing other professions. I hope that all the fans and listeners support the artists by buying the albums as well just to make everyone survive otherwise soon we wont' be listening to new music by some of our favourite artists.
Sidhu: What can the record labels do to combat piracy?
Joti Dhillon: Well most of the mainstream labels are trying to find a way to stop these mp3s sharing software's but as far as our labels are concerned not much we can do other than to try to find a way to make the cds protected and try to work together with mainstream labels into stopping this.
Sidhu: Your favourite song from Behind The Scenes? And you favourite song from Planet Recordz releases?
Joti Dhillon: Every song on 'Behind the Scenes' is a favourite for me but I love "Tere Nak Da Koka", "Gal Dil Di" and "Vairne". Not any particular ones from Planet releases but I liked Nachattar Gills album, Nav Sarao's album, Soni Pabla's album as well.
Sidhu: If there is one artist you are more than willing to sign, who is it and why?
Joti Dhillon: Gurdas Mann. Just because he was, is and will be best in Panjabi Music.
Sidhu: Any final messages to desitunes4u the visitors?
Joti Dhillon: Buy the original stuff and support the artists and the labels and visit us at www.planetrecordz.com when you get some time.
A a big thanks to Joti for taking some time out to do the interview. Big up to Sidhu of Dholaholic Inc as well, for conducting the interview. Check out Joti's site at www.jotidhillon.com which features samples from his album plus if you want to e-mail Joti direct then you can at joti@planetrecordz.com now!
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