Arjun Kanungo has had a meteoric rise to fame ever since his hit debut single, ‘Baaki Baatein Peene Baad’ went viral across the Internet.
Since then, he has added several more chartbusters to his kitty, proving that he is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Ahead of his performance at The Forum Mall, Koramangala tomorrow, he spoke to MetroPlus about his work and passion for music. Edited excerpts:
Growing up, what kind of music inspired you to take up a career in singing and composing music?
Honestly speaking, my musical influences vary from heavy metal to Indian classical music. My mother was a huge fan of classical music and she listened to everyone from Ustad Rashid Khan to Ghulam Ali Sahab.
But like every other kid, I was also into what was popular, so I also listened to all the boy bands that were prominent back in the day. I was very interested in rock and metal music, which led me to play for my own metal band and then later on, I transitioned into Bollywood music after Asha Bhonsle ji saw me play the guitar and asked me to try out for her band.
Can you tell us a little bit about the creative process behind creating new and original music?
When I first started off music, I did not expect to become a singer, I was always more into composing.
I come from a business-oriented family, so when I was about eighteen-years- old, I started my own recording studio and it was through that studio that I learnt to compose music.
A lot of singers and composers from Shreya Ghoshal to Pritam would make use of the rehearsal rooms there, and it was by observing them that I gained a fly on the wall perspective of how music is made.
Your debut single, ‘Baaki Baatein Peene Baad’, amassed over 20 million views on YouTube, did you expect such a response from the online community?
I don’t think you can expect anything. Considering it was my debut single, receiving one million views itself was a big deal to me.
I am glad that it was received so well. I also think the reason it received so many views was because it was an offline hit as well. It was played numerous times on television, radio stations and at parties, which definitely contributed to its popularity.
What do you think are some of the challenges that singers today face?
I think one of the biggest challenges is that singers don’t get enough face time. Unless you put a face to a name, singers will be easily forgotten, which is why I am adamant about appearing in my own music videos. Also, creating a music industry that is independent of film music is a huge challenge. Sometimes, working for Bollywood is incredibly stifling for singers and composers alike. People should appreciate music for music and not based on the popularity of the film it is attached to.
Being a trained method actor from Lee Strasburg Theatre and Film Institute, New York, do you have any plans to dabble in films?
I have been debating about this for the past two years now, but I think what is important is that I should find myself as an actor like how I found myself as a singer.
I have been approached for a few films but nothing appealed to me, it’s a matter of finding the right script.
What are your plans? Any exciting collaborations in the pipeline?
I am excited to work on my first web series which will commence shooting from June and my next single will release in August. I’m also collaborating with the Meet Bros and looking forward to work with many other talented young artistes.
Arjun Kanungo will perform with Jonita Gandhi at Forum Mall on May 20 at 7 pm .
