Recently, Tarli Digital the guy responsible for the hit debut album 'The Dub Conspriracy' was back to have a chat with us about his brand new album. This time it's Usman who's firing the questions to him.
1) I reviewed your last album, The Dub Conspiracy and as you read in the review was considerably impressed. I understand your putting the finishing touches on your new album (I will be expecting a signed copy prior to release and possibly a mention on the inside cover somewhere!), how much longer are you planning on making your fans wait? And whom have you worked with on the album? What's it called? What sort of sound shall we expect from it?
Wzup Usman!!! The album is 95% ready and im just putting the finishing touches to the songs. The New album is going to be Called TD:2, it will feature elite all-stars from the Bhangra industry such as Surinder Shinda, Ranjit Mani, Sarvjeet Kaur, Meshi and other top voices, including some really phat newcomers. As for the sound, its totally different from 'The Dub Conspiracy', which was very much sampled but this time around it's a new and mature TD, I've spend two and a half years working on my new album recording in 4 different studios, learning new things and ive spent a lot of time in India making various trips to record, and re-record stuff.
2) You've recently been out to India and Canada, what was the reason for that? How did you find it? What's the scene like out there at the moment?
I was in Toronto recently and did a few gigs, which were phat, the Canadian crowd is so different and it was hectic! The scene in Canada is very different to the UK scene, they are pretty much into the desi sound mostly, but the UK G sound is well appreciated too. Can't wait to go out there again!
As for India like I just said I went a few times to record vocals and music, India is just MAD everytime I go I just don't wanna come back, meeting so many singers, producers and musicians was mad!!! India is rapidly picking up on the western scene and I got some really cool stuff recorded and met a lot of inspiring people! The scene in India is MASSIVE, the UK sound is killing it out there at the moment with peeps like Jassi Sidhu and Sukhshinder Shinda Ji kicking it with their albums
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3) A problem a few of my friends in the industry have mentioned is people not being credited with work they have put into a fellow artists tracks or album. As a producer yourself how would you feel IF work you had put into a track went unaccredited?
Its FU**ED UP, although I'm not a brilliant musician I believe in credit where it's due, and I have credited people who have helped me in the past and have done so on my new album there have has been incidents where I've worked on tracks and haven't been credited for them, if you do something for someone and you have put input into it and effort it's a bummer when the appreciation isn't given, I think its not about glory but RESPECT. As Adil Ray said in his interview with you guys, things can no longer be done as "ghar di gal". I won't work with anyone anymore now cuz people take the piss. |
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4) A well known fact of the industry is that the tracks and producers who heavily lean towards "dance floor tracks" seem to get all the attention, not everyone would look into the other tracks with the detail reviewers go into. Purely as music producer, which tracks recently released do you think are worth checking out? Also which do you think are crap?
Its not for me to say what is crap at the moment because it's a personal opinion but all im saying is there people out there that are going on " I don't use autotuner/vocoder" and my message to these ppl is "YOU NEED IT MATE!!"
What pisses me off the most is People bigging up Ustad JI`s and go about saying they have learnt from these great people when really they probably have had just one lesson and go drop a album… it's total disrespect in my eyes when such Ustad Ji`s / Camps have produced amazing talents and then a little tatta comes along degrading everyone.
5) How important do you think success in the mainstream is for Asian artists? Would you say it's imperative that we succeed or would you say it's more a 'bonus' while it lasts?
I reckon it's both, for those who are doing a great job like Rishi Rich, Raghav, Panjabi MC its inspiring for people like me, who are "younger" in the industry. At the same time I feel there are too many other people jumping the band wagon and everyone all a sudden wants a piece of the mainstream. But as a whole I think unity is what we need to maintain this interest in the mainstream for Asian Flavas.
6) It has come to my attention that a while back you were at a gig, which our very own Irfan attended. I'm sure you must have seen him on the dance floor! Are we looking at the next Justin Timberlake or does he dance like an embarrassing uncle at a wedding? Be honest!
I remember seeing him, lol!!!!!! No comment!!! But one thing I want to ask Irfan is, who were them hot looking girls with you?????
7) I don't think I'm wrong when I say this! There are people out their coming out with the same garage beats they were say 2 years ago. Would you agree with that statement? How important do you think it is to move with the times and adapt your style to the current trends?
It's important to move with the scene and I personally think garage went out years ago on the Asian scene, hence why I didn't do much on my first album and there is non on my new album, your style is your identity and you need to make sure your style is unique
8) You are very much a gig artist, big up for keeping it real on the streets! What is the best venue that you have dj'ed in terms of crowd reaction and why did you rate them as the best?
Miss India Bikini Beach Contest, August 2003 in Toronto Canada "BIKINI" "BEACH" nuff said!!!!
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9) Recently I saw on TV when somebody was saying that the bhangra scene is totally unoriginal these days! What is your opinion of such a statement? Agree? Disagree?
I would have to disagree because there is only a minority that are dropping this "same old shit - different CD" stuff, you have to agree that being British Asians we live in a community which is diverse in the sense of other cultures and growing up with these different people effects the way we represent ourselves. Which isn't a bad thing. There is a desired taste and style of Punjabi music for everyone and some people choose to stick to one formula.
10) Apart from a record-breaking album from Tarli Digital, who do you think will be the stars of 2004? What are your predictions?
I think new kids on the block are making a comeback… |
11) Anything else that ma man Tarli Digital got lined up in the near future that he thinks we should know about?
I'm working on a remix project, which should be out in winter but apart from that I'm just concentrating on my next album, for which im flying back to India for in June.
12) Let's have some fun now. Try to use one word to describe the following, one sentence max! : -
a) Bally Sagoo
Legend
b) Mehsopuria
"Ahem"
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d) RDB
Kidda lads?
d) Jassi Sidhu
Where's the new album?
e) Tariq of Legacy
International man of mystery
f) Dr Zeus
Z E U to the S!
g) Dalvinder Singh |
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Where's my Gurdas Mann DVD?
h) Tigerstyle
Desi highlanders
13) Any final message for the desitunes4u fans all around the globe?
Big up and respect each and everytime!!!! Thanks for the support always, my new albums out soon and I hope its been worth the wait…. Peace out!!!
That concludes the interview, so make sure you check out his productions skills on this new album; TD2 which is out soon.
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