1) One unusual place where ideas for songs come to you?
In the shower, or the washroom. There’s something about the relief and privacy!
2) If you were to explain your music to someone’s grandmother, how would you?
It’s dance music for kids today like jazz or swing music (or even rock & roll) would have been in her day.
3) Words that describe your music.
Dirty, rotten, scoundrel.
4) Have you offended someone through your music/visuals? Recount.
Not really, I have never yet received an official direct complaint with regards to the content in India. I find critics and cultural experts tend to underestimate the Indian public’s openness to new content. What does seem to offend people is when they make a request and I categorically deny them... For this, I have not only been threatened with bodily harm but was physically attacked.
5) Who are you guilty of being inspired by?
I have no guilt about my tastes or inspirations. I guess what inspirations I do have that might surprise people familiar with me are — I love the grit of country singers like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.
6) Most overrated musician at the moment?
Always hesitant to answer this kind of question. Many people often say such things about pop stars, but as a professional, I can always appreciate the work that one puts into art, regardless of if the final product. Can I talk about overrated politicians? Answer: All of them.
7) One dead musician you’d bring back to life?
If you’ve watched any zombie movies, you know this is a dangerous proposition. If I had to, I guess it would be soul brother #1, the king of the funk, godfather of hip hop, James Brown.
8) What does your family tell you do for a living?
I think my family is pretty proud of my music career — actually I try to get my family not to tell everyone what I do for a living!
9) The one pick-up line that has worked?
New season of Narcos on Netflix.
10) One word that best describes Bengaluru and its audiences.
Wild.
— As told to Sneha K Sukumar
