Hi everyone, its Nizam the newest member of the desitunes4u.com roster from Toronto, I am proud and excited to be conducting my first interview with an up and coming female singer from Canada named Sumeet. I've listened to some of her music and I must say she has a soulful voice and an elegant style. We caught up with Sumeet to talk about her career and her passion for the music industry.
1) First of all Sumeet, for all of the desitunes4u.com readers just tell us how you got into the music industry?
I got into music from a very young age. I was immersed in it; both my parents are artists so I would be around Music Nights and Poetry Readings every weekend. I started writing songs when I was very young, performing them for my dog and all of my imaginary friends (they were big fans of mine). I'd made my first demo tape in high school (hope no one EVER get their hands on that) and yes; it was only on cassette back then.
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I don't know when I got into the actual industry, I guess it would have to be when I moved out to Cali, when I met real-life record producers and people that worked at the big labels. It was overwhelming, I couldn't believe I was there... one minute I'm in school in my little home town, the next I've up and left to California, city of dreams! It was very humbling to meet so many talented artists. Yes, I guess that's where it started, where I started learning about the industry, not just music. Now that I've moved to New York I'm even deeper in. Both of my managers work |
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2) With the rise of music coming from Asian artists such as PMC, Rishi Rich and female artists such as Raje Shwari, and Deeyah into the mainstream, do you think the door has opened up for the mainstream music industry for South Asian talent?
Yes, the door has definitely opened for South Asian sounds! It's great hearing so much Indian influence in today's music. It was CRAZY being in New York and turning the radio on to hear Panjabi MC and Jay-Z together, tearing it up! And then it was everywhere... there were ring tones, the radio's bumped it, stores were playing it, and if you were at a club, watch out! Everyone was throwing down to that tune, because good music cannot be denied. I think bits and pieces from all types of music and cultures are integrating into the western market, introducing people to all kinds of new rhythms and sounds. When it's good music it speaks to us, transcends all borders, regardless of language or sound. I think we'll be hearing a lot more Asian influences in today's music; it's so rhythmic, so magnetic... 'Beware of the Boys' gave everyone a taste of the Dhol, now that's something you can't sit still for!
3) Coming from a South Asian background, How has the support been from your family regarding your career choice to become a professional singer?
My family has always been supportive. I'm lucky in that sense since my parents are both artists who've made sacrifices for their beliefs. My folks were definitely a little worried in the beginning about how I would make ends meet doing something so unstable but once they saw my passion they accepted my choice. They understand now that there's nothing else I would ever want to do, that even if it were a struggle I'd find a way to get by. They see how happy it makes me and in turn are proud of their baby girl for doing her thing. In fact it was my father who sat me down and told me to never settle on happiness and to follow my dreams always... which in turn was a huge deciding factor in my going to Cali to try and make it out there. My brother has always been Fan #1. He believed in me from the beginning, before anyone else even knew I could sing. He put aside his plans to go to Law School so he could get a job and support me in my endeavor, that's how strongly he believed in me. He is my biggest supporter, my biggest fan and my best friend. I am truly blessed to have such a giving family.
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4) I was listening to your tracks and came across the song you did with Elephant Man called "Agony" and I must say that is one heavy track, how does it feel to collaborate with one of the biggest stars in the Reggae industry?
It was great! I've been a fan of Elephant Man for a while, so when the opportunity arose I was more than a little excited to get to do a track with him! I never actually got a chance to meet him though… he recorded his vocals out in Jamaica and I did mine here in New York. It's pretty crazy how fast and simple it is to do collabos these days! I am definitely looking forward to meeting him soon; I would love to perform live with him. Good to Go! |
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5) Will we see any more collaboration with you and any other mainstream artists?
Perhaps, somewhere down the road. Right now we don't have anything lined up, we're just working track by track until the album is finished. I'm not averse to collabos by any means, if something comes up that's cool, but right now we're just concentrating on the immediate future finishing up some more songs.
6) Is there anyone in the Asian and mainstream music industry that you would like to work with?
There are so many talented artists I would love to have the chance to work with. There are too many to name… Prince (now that would be incredible), Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Raphael Saadiq… I could go on and on. There are so many great artists out there, I would love to have a chance to work and learn from them.
7) What types of music and artists have you been pumping in your stereo?
I listen to all types of music. R&B is the obvious one. I grew up around a lot of Caribbean folks, so they contributed to my love of reggae, not to mention some Calypso, some Soca, hard wine! I love me some hip-hop, from Tribe to Common, I miss old hip-hop, the stuff that stood for something. I love music, if it's good I'll listen to it, regardless of the genre… music is music. As for what I'm bumping right now, I've got a mix of old and new. I love Donny Hathaway, his voice is just so sweet, I've been listening to Marvin Gaye since I was little and so his music is a very comfortable place for me to go. Aretha, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Otis Redding. I love me some old school. As for the new, Prince's latest CD, Musicology, has been on repeat since I got it! Erykah's latest CD, Anthony Hamilton, Dead Prez, Pete Rock's new album is off the hook... I listen to a lot of music; you'll find CD's strewn all over my living room!
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8) On a more personal note, I must say you're quite an attractive woman, and I am sure that many readers want to know, are you single?
I guess you could say I'm single. I'm single but I'm attached. I'm very focused on what I'm trying to do with this musical movement... that's what I'm attached to. As far as a relationship with something other than my CD's, (and my ongoing affair with chocolate) there's just no time for it. |
9) What do you look for in a man?
Oh no! I guess an appreciation of art (obviously), a good sense of humor, reading and writing are always a plus…
To be honest, I haven't really been out there looking for a man - there's just no time. I'd rather be in the studio or writing a song or kicking it at my house with my old CD's, trying to learn something from the masters. I've been through it, I've talked to the boys, but I found a love that's incomparable to anything else, a love that'll always have my back and always leaves me satisfied. There's a time and place for everything... now's just not that time.
10) If there were a piece of advice you can give to up and coming musicians, what advice would you give them?
Don't worry about what you're hearing on the radio and what's 'in' right now. I would tell them to keep their focus on the music they are making and to not be concerned with what they think people want to hear. If it sounds good it will be appreciated. Erykah didn't do mainstream at all on her last album, she made music the way she heard it, and her album is incredible. Outkast has sold insane amounts of records and their album is far from mainstream. A lot of albums that are out right now have only a few cuts that are really good, the rest are just album fillers, which is certainly not cool. That's why the state of music is where it's at right now. A lot are simple beats that are looped and there you have it… not really musicianship. So, my advice would be to listen to what's in your head and translate that… that's the music part, don't cop out for what you think other's want to hear, keep it real and save the music.
11) You have been working very hard in the studio, when can we expect an album release from you?
We are looking to release an extended remix CD of my first single, "Agony f. Elephant Man" which will be available in the USA on the 13th of July. It features the original track, produced by Brukkout Entertainment, and four hot remixes by different producers. We ran an online remix competition, which got an incredible response from a lot of talented producers, and then chose some the best ones to be on the single. One of my favorite remixes is undoubtedly the Hot Curry remix. More Fire! All the details on how to get it will be on my website, www.sumeetmusic.com.
The actual album is about 3/4ths of the way finished. Right now I'm doing shows here and there and grinding in the studio in between to finish the album up. We're also looking to put together a live band and start doing more live shows around the city as soon as the album is finished - I can't wait!
12) You have been touring the United States extensively, Will you be planning any future shows abroad, specifically the UK and Canada?
Once the album is finished and we've put the live band together I'll be looking at doing more shows all over, starting with New York. Eventually I do look forward to playing in the UK and Canada. Most Definitely!
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13) Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Five years from now I hope to be working on yet another album with some type of deal or backing behind me. I hope to have a studio of my own where I can keep learning more and more and record at any time. I want to be able to turn on the radio and hear my song playing. Five years from now I want to do a show where I see everyone in the audience singing the words to my song. |
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14) Will you be making a music video for any of your soulful songs in the near future?
Somewhere in the very near future, yes, for sure… but right now the main goal is to just finish up the album.
15) Sumeet those are all the questions I have I just want to thank you for your time, is there anything you would like to tell all the desitunes4u massive?
I would like to thank Nizam and desitunes4u for taking the time to interview me and I'd like to give love to all the massive, much, much love to all the supporters and believers. Save the Music.
A very special thanks to Sumeet for taking her time out to talk with us. If you would like to find out more about Sumeet you can check out her website at www.sumeetmusic.com, and if you would like to email Sumeet's management then you can do just that at info@sumeetmusic.com. |
