Veronica; whose comeback to the scene looks as potent as the Czech football team! Last time round she was on Rishi Rich's album, but the London based beauty has got some big things instore. Also on the rebound is Masaeb after a long spell in the DT4U cellar (Usman lost the key!!). He made a great escape only to find that not only had Richard been given "Mr Exclusive's" office, but his reclining Big Boss man leather chair too! He's back to finally get to grips with the girl who left him unanswered 7 years ago. Now Richard sahib, what do we do about Hum Tum?
Masaeb: You first came to prominence back in early 1997, when you formed VR1 with none other than Rishi Rich (known then as Rishi Riley), tell us a bit about your background, how did this come about, and how long have you been singing now, was it something you always wanted to do, or did you just happen to "fall" into it?
Veronica: I've always been into singing and dance from a really young age and knew this is what I've always wanted to do. I've trained in all forms of dance from Kathak to ballet, tap, modern, jazz and street. I knew of Rishi and that he was a producer, heard that he was looking for a female singer so I got in touch with him in 1996. It all happened quite quickly. I went down for an audition and it was instant chemistry! He was part of a remix outfit know as 2kool. I featured on 1 of the tracks with Kumar Sanu. Then in 1997 he left and we formed the group VR1. We've been working together over 9 years now.
Masaeb: Being a British Asian women, how hard was it not to choose a run of the mill career such as business or science; was there any backlash from your friends and family?
Veronica: I remember when I finished high school I spent the whole of summer trying to convince my parents that I wanted to go in to singing professionally and join a performing arts course. Obviously their first reaction was no way! But when they saw that I wanted this with all my heart and soul they supported me 110%. Without their support I would never have made it to where I am today.
Masaeb: You've earned the nickname "Sweet V", which is really saying something about your voice. How much practise do you do to maintain such a quality singing voice?
Veronica: I feel really blessed that I have this gift. I used to train everyday without fail but now as my voice has developed I train a couple of times a week.
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Masaeb: What's a typical day in the life of Veronica Mehta?
Veronica: Right now I'm working on my debut album so I'd get up around 10ish… I'm definitely not a morning person unless I have a gig or interview. Go for a swim and get myself geared up for the day. I have a studio set up at home so I'd write, record a song for myself or another artist or I may go into the studio with Rishi or Mentor. Evening I'd be at rehearsals as I'm the lead vocalist of a band called "SISTER INDIA". It's an Asian fusion band headed by DJ Ritu. It's a lot of fun, we get to travel all round the world and perform at world festivals. Unless I have a gig in the evening I would probably have dinner at home with family or go out with my friends. |
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Masaeb: Just going back to VR1, there was a lot of talk of it being a "camp" or crew, but we haven't really seen an album under the VR1 moniker for some time, has it disbanded, if so why, and what has happened to the likes of Roger G, Funkiman (aka Fizz) and Don Dee? Are you now part of the collective known as the Rishi Rich Project?
Veronica: Rishi and I did several albums under the name of VR1, I went on to do my solo single "Girls gotta have fun" going under the name of VERONICA, the tracks were still produced by Rishi but he choose to stay in the background. Don Dee is still about he's featuring on the remix of Juggy D's single "Sohniye". The Rishi Rich project is mainly about Rishi and bringing out different artists.
Masaeb: You and Rishi really introduced the concept of intros, interludes, and postludes into your albums something which most artists do these days. Firstly how does it feel to see every one copy your production style and secondly were they album fillers, or were they another way of promoting yourselves with out us really realizing?
Veronica: Rishi and I always say that were leaders not followers so it's great that we set a trend in the market. For us interludes etc were a way of giving the albums a twist and adding another creative story. It just made the album more interesting and fun.
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Masaeb: When speaking to Rishi a while back (to read Rishi Rich interview click here) he said that he felt the Voices album, which you featured heavily on, was pivotal for his solo career as a producer, was it the same for you or would you say things have been a bit slower for you?
Veronica: I think the album Voices is definitely a landmark in my career but I've had to keep striving constantly and work harder to get to the next level.
Masaeb: You been involved with Rishi's work for quite some time now, what's he like to work with as person, has fame changed either of you?
Veronica: He's very focused and extremely hard working he always pushes me to be the very best that |
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I can. If he's in a funny mood then it's a laugh and that's normally when we don't get any work done but if he's in a serious mood then he can be quite strict. We're bothvery grounded people, we know what we want to achieve in life and know that all this fame doesn't last forever. The one thing I would say is that you become a bit more reserved and don't trust easily. |
Masaeb: On a lot of the earlier VR1 albums you used to sing in English, Hindi and Punjabi, but of late you have really been providing English vocals, would you say that singing in English is your stronger suit, and do you write our own lyrics?
Veronica: I enjoy and love singing in English, Hindi and Punjabi, it makes me stronger and more versatile as an artist. As you will see on my forthcoming album, I'm coming back with all three vibes again. No matter which language I sing in, I write my own melodies and lyrics.
Masaeb: How has your background affected your evolution into a top class vocalist?
Veronica: My family has always been into music and from a young age practising for hours has helped me to develop my talent. Meeting and working with the right team of people has made this dream possible.
Masaeb: Your talents have brought you the title Asian female vocalist of the year twice, 1998 and 1999 I think, how did that feel winning such awards long before the AMA'S were even an idea?
Veronica: They are both really memorable times in my career. I feel very honoured to receive these awards. To be acknowledged for my music is such an achievement and inspiration for me.
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Masaeb: I would say Rishi has really evolved from a good remixer to an incredibly talented artist, how do you feel you have changed over the years, apart from less use of Hindi lyrics on your part?
Veronica: I have grown and become stronger vocally, melodically and lyrically. I am very confident about my music. I have learnt a lot about the music business and how it works. |
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Masaeb: Do you get recognised a lot when you got out shopping or with your mates?
Veronica: Most of the time. It's nice when people come up to you and appreciate what you do.
Masaeb: You are now a role model to many; how does that make you feel, do you watch what you say and do because you are in the public eye?
Veronica: It's a privilege to be a role model and makes me feel like I have responsibility. There are many people looking up to me so yeah I do make sure that I always give out positive messages.
Masaeb: I'll be blatantly honest with you; I had a crush on you when I was 16! What's it like being a sex symbol, with hundreds of guys drooling over you? Do you play up to the guys, and are you more conscious about how you look when you go out?
Veronica: Seen! It's very flattering but at the end of the day I just keep it real and dress the way that makes me feel comfortable.
Masaeb: Switching gears for a moment, why is there such a lack of female talent in the UK Asian music industry at the moment? The likes of Gunjan have been present for a while but never really made a big impression on the scene. With Raje Shwari, Deeyah & Veronica (yourself) all set for solo album releases in the coming months is it finally time from Asian women to make a mark on the industry? I mean has your time finally arrived?
Veronica: Being a male dominated industry it's really hard for Asian women to break through but I feel that now it's definitely time for us to make a mark. I've been in the industry for a long time and it's been my dream to do my solo album and now the time is finally here. I'm very excited not only because I've grown as an artist but also as a person. You will hear that I have matured through my songs.
Masaeb: A lot of female singers back home are adopting a more sexual orientated image to further there careers, what do you think of this, and would you ever use your sexuality to further your career?
Veronica: You have to remember that the music industry is a business and at the end of the day sex sells. If your comfortable with that as an artist then fine. Speaking for myself I feel it's more important to get the music right and then focus on image and yes to a certain degree I would use my sexuality.
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Masaeb: After such publicly recognised success, you went on to release a main stream single "Girls Gotta Have Fun" (cover on the left) a few summers back, with a top quality video which got a lot of play on music channels such as The Box and Kiss. What do you think personally about the song, do you think it did well despite the lack of promotion it got, and secondly what was it like filming such a different video compared to the usual glorified prancing around BMW'S (not that there's anything wrong with them, I got one myself!) crap we normally have to deal with? |
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Veronica: When I wrote the song I wanted to sing about something positive. If you listen to the lyrics even though its saying that she's had enough of this guy, she's gonna go out and have some fun. It is a very girlie track. I think it did well and got me a lot of recognition. I had so much fun shooting the video out in Las Vegas and oh by the way I did have a car in the video, not a BMW but a Dodge Viper!!! |
Masaeb: What do you think of desi videos as a whole at the moment?
Veronica: There are some videos that are quite good but I think that there's potentially room for improvement.
Masaeb: The VR1 camp / Rishi Rich project do a lot of live gigs over the course of a year, what's it like performing in front of a live crowd?
Veronica: It's such a great feeling and honour to be able to get out there and perform live to audiences all over the world. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing fans singing along to your songs.
Masaeb: What was the best gig you ever played?
Veronica: There's so many but if I have to pick one it would probably be a gig I did in south of Spain. It was in a coliseum by the sea. The crowd was absolutely amazing and there was such an atmosphere that night.
Masaeb: How much work goes into creating, and performing live dance routines?
Veronica: It really is a lot of hard work, choreographing, rehearsing and performing. It's very exhausting.
Masaeb: Moving on, Rishi recently left Audiorec on good terms to join Bally Sagoo's Ishq outfit, have you followed suit or are you still with Audiorec?
Veronica: Rishi and I are both with 2point9.
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Masaeb: As an artist who inspired you in your early days, and who has had the biggest influence on your career since you hit the streets in 1997?
Veronica: The first artist to inspire me was Michael Jackson so he definitely had a big influence on me along side artists such as Whitney, Maria Carey, Donell Jones, Blackstreet and RD Burman. I used to listen to Ghazals and Hindi film songs as well.
Masaeb: What kind of music are you into, and who would you like to work with the most right now?
Veronica: I love all kinds of music from R n B, pop, Hindi, bhangra, Spanish, jazz, world music. I'd love to work with Adnan Sami.
Masaeb: What do you think of desi music going |
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Veronica: I think its great and about time too. Trends in music change all the time so you never know but hopefully its here to stay. |
Masaeb: Will you be planning any ventures into the mainstream market again?
Veronica: The album I'm working on right now fits in perfectly with the whole east meets west vibe so if it does well I don't see why not.
Masaeb: You recently, along with the Rishi Rich Project featured in the Bollywood film Hum Tum, how did that come about, and what is it like, is it something we will be seeing regularly now?
Veronica: Yash Raj films approached Rishi to produce a song for the film and they wanted a track featuring a male and female vocalist, so he asked me if I'd like to do the song and the rest is history. It was such an amazing experience being part of one of the biggest industries in the world. It was a big deal not only because for the first time in history, Yash Raj Films had an international act creating a song for Bollywood and also MTV India were involved as they were shooting the video for "U n I".
Masaeb: You've been on the scene for almost seven years yet, appeared on about five albums, had a few singles, but with such an incredible amount of talent at your disposal, why have you not released your own album yet, do you think the vast amount of success you had in you early days has held you back in any way?
Veronica: It's been my life long ambition to release my own album and now after all these years the time has finally come. I don't feel that success has held me back, life doesn't always work out the way you want it to but everything happens for a reason and you just have to keep focused on your goals and make them happen.
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Masaeb: What have you got in store for us in the future?
Veronica: My album is coming out end of summer/autumn, a video, lots of gigs and tours coming up for my solo work and also with the band Sister India. I've got a duet on Juggy's album "Aaja Na" which will probably be the single in India. I'm also getting involved with writing for up and coming artists. |
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| Masaeb: Oops! There's just one more |
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question I have been dieing to ask you since I was 16, there was a competition in the Eastern Eye newspaper in 1997 to win a copy of the Voices album, which was something on lines of "are Rishi and Sweet V more than just good friends?" I think I have waited long enough for the answer… |
Veronica: ........??????
Masaeb: Any message to the thousands of desitunes4u.com fans out there?
Veronica: If you've got a dream, hold on to it and do everything in your power to make it become reality. Thank you for all your love and support through out the years… One love! x
That concludes the interview, a big thanks to Veronica for taking some time to chat to Masaeb! Watch out for her debut solo album which is set for release around October time. Also, thanks to VR1 Music for letting us reproduce the pictures.
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