Recently, Raj had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best up and coming singers on the desi music scene at the moment, namely 'Mehsopuria.' He has recently provided the vocals on various tracks on the Untochables Label.
Raj: When did you first start learning how to sing and who inspired you? Basically, how did it all start for you?
Mehsopuria: I started learning to sing Kirtan in Raags from my Guru Ji "Ustaad Sri Ajit Singh Mutlashi Ji" at a very young age. I also sang traditional folk songs amongst my close friends in junior school times. My inspiration to sing was purely the love for my mother tongue (Punjabi). Many singers from Punjab and Pakistan inspire me. Singing, writing and composing is something that comes from within me. I always new I was born to be a singer and once walked into my class singing, the teacher asked me to keep my voice down but I just kept singing (LOL), he said to me if I was that confident with my singing ability to stand up on stage in front of the whole years assembly and sing, me being a 'Punjab da putar' got up on stage and sang the choir way with high pitch glass breaking (Mariah Carey) style vocals!!! Ha Ha.
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Raj: Are you signed up to Untouchables, if so what made you choose them ahead of other labels, especially with you being from Birmingham, where many desi labels are based?
Mehsopuria: I am not signed to Untouchables UK or any other label. My first meeting with Untouchables was very positive and I decided to record my debut songs with them. All the other labels in Birmingham wanted me to sign with them at the time but I wanted to work with a new music company. |
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Raj: You recently sang 'Gal Sun' on Indy Sagu's 'The Debut', which was yet another garage tune featuring Mc'ing on the Untouchables label. I think the desi market has been saturated with too much garage and it's time to move away from it. Do you agree?
Mehsopuria: Yes, I totally agree with you Raj. My song 'Gal Sun' was written, composed & sung by me, it was my first garage track and I wanted to cater for garage music fans. If you listen to the song, the lyrics 'Gal Sun' are not sung in the released version of the song as they were taken out and the chorus was replaced by Mc'ing, till this day I can't see how the Mc lyrics go with my song lyrics, I'm singing about the beauty of this girl and he's Mc'ing about jam and marmalade (LOL). The uncut version with the full chorus 'Gal Sun' was far superior to the released version. I felt there was way too much Mc'ing in the song and the released version did not do justice to my song 'Gal Sun' but the final decision was made by Untouchables. There was three Mc's on that 1 song, too many for my liking!! We can still have garage tracks released but not at the rate of flooding the Bhangra market, lets get back to the Desi tunes which is what Bhangra is all about plus I can't dance to garage music myself, seem to end up dropping Bhangra dance moves when performing these garage tracks on stage (LOL).
Raj: What does your family think of your success? Has it changed your life?
Mehsopuria: When my debut track "Tera Tumka" was released last year in August my family were extremely proud, they always say keep your feet on the floor and work hard towards achieving your life long ambition, my mum always believed in my ability, she recently been saying "kuriyaan tho bach ke raheen" (LOL). I honestly don't believe I have achieved anything as yet, my ambitions and aspirations are very high, and this is just the beginning "a drop in the ocean" as the saying goes. My life hasn't changed much either; I try not to get big headed when fans that meet me give compliments. It's easy to get carried away but I just work harder to improve everything I do with my singing career and learn along the way.
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Raj: When you're not singing what do you do? I mean what do you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Mehsopuria: I have many hobbies & pass times from painting, football and shopping (LOL), also in my spare time I like to go weight training with my best friend Harj (manager/agent), mind you we spend more time chatting then training though (LOL), my younger brother and co-manager Dippa is always saying he'll join us in training but his training down the pub tires out his biceps (LOL) "It ain't easy knocking back 10 pints of beer" he says, ha ha. Last year I was doing two different martial arts plus weight training every week, it got a bit much though and I had to devote more time towards singing. I love to shoot pool too but hate the smoky atmosphere in pubs, usually end up playing pool at home with my little nephew (Sunny), it was good at first but recently I've been getting thrashed by him (LOL). |
Raj: Bhangra it would seem with the success of Panjabi Mc is ready to make it in the mainstream. What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of bhangra making it in the mainstream?
Mehsopuria: Well done to Panjabi Mc!! It does look very positive for the future of Bhangra, especially the mainstream breakthrough. There are a lot of benefits such as more publicity and promotion for our cultural music Bhangra, the only draw back could be that our artists concentrate more on tracks for the mainstream rather than the desi market. I recently performed at a show for a mainstream project called 'MMW', the crowd were all English people, many acts performed on the night, when I came on to stage with my live show band members Dippa (tabla), Kesh (keyboards) & Rick (dholak) aka Jewels Of Punjab, the crowd were quiet at first but as soon as the song started they were loving it. I noticed 1 thing from that performance, my traditional songs "Tera Tumka & Goreeaa Noo" were the tracks the crowd danced to the most, it was an honour to be the only Bhangra artist on that evening representing the Desi massive and trust me friends we stole the show and smashed it!! The organisers for that bash gave me so much love and respect, they are looking forward to me performing at their next open venue show this summer. Bhangra music is extremely popular at the moment and long may that continue but lets keep our identity by giving the mainstream pure original Punjabi tracks.
Raj: Do you have any words of advice to anyone wishing to make it in the desi music industry?
Mehsopuria: As a newcomer into the Bhangra industry myself, all I can say is practise hard, have an Ustaad (teacher) who can guide and improve your talent, also concentrate on your Punjabi pronunciation, that's important. Believe in your dream; make it a reality through your talent, perseverance and dedication. Singing is wonderful and performing live on stage is great, the hard work is always rewarded!!!!
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Raj: I've noticed your name on many gig flyers in recent times. Is their any particular venue that you enjoy performing at? If so, why? When performing, do you sing live?
Mehsopuria: I enjoy performing at all venues; there isn't a particular one although I'm looking forward to performing at Destiny's in Watford this year. I sing live wherever I perform, I have never mimed on stage. I sing live over the track when doing p.a performances, it's not right to walk on to stage and mime for an audience who's paid good money to see you perform live. This year I will be |
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| performing live at some venues with my band members, sometimes it depends on whether the gig promoters want a live or p.a performance. I recently cancelled a gig due to the fact promoters gave false promises, I'd rather concentrate on my album, than gigs, where the promoters can't stick to their word and try to pull fast one's on artists!!! |
Raj: What can we expect from Mehsopuria in the near future?
Mehsopuria: This summer my full album will be released, with 8 tracks. I have a small tour planned for abroad in the pipeline plus more gigs and shows. There's also collaboration I'm doing later this year, which will be absolutely massive. What ever I do will be aimed to entertain those who listen and appreciate Bhangra music. I myself am a Bhangra music fan too!!
Raj: Do you have a final message for the thousands of desitunes4u.com visitors all over the world?
Mehsopuria: My message is simple, be proud of your culture & support all the artist who are representing our Punjabi music around the world, on behalf of all the artists I would like to thank the desitunes4u.com visitors for their support. Thank you to Raj for interviewing me and Irfan Saab from desitunes4u.com, nice 1 bruv!! Keep listening to Bhangra!! luv, respect & peace, lets spread it all over the world. MEHSOPURIA xxxxxx
That concludes the interview, firstly a big thanks to Mehsopuria for taking some time out to do the interview. His vocals are top notch so if I was you I would watch out for his album in the summer. He is still unsigned so it could be a great coup for all you labels out their. If you want to contact him direct then you can e-mail him now at mehsopuria@hotmail.com. |
