For Delhi-based singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad, it’s all about bringing the focus back on music. At a time when clubs and restaurants are opening up to gigs almost on every other night, this enterprising artiste decided to tour cities releasing his debut album in spaces that bring back the holistic listening experience.
Launching In Tokens And Charms across metros in the country, Prateek performed at the Jagriti Theatre in the city recently as part of the first ever amphitheatre/auditorium tour by an independent singer-songwriter in India.
Sharing his thoughts on the tour, he says it’s very different in terms of experience from any other gig. “We’re performing in intimate spaces instead of clubs, where everyone is distracted, to ensure the focus is on the music and the audience experiences it the way it is supposed to be heard. It carries a whole new kind of vibe. Musically, it’s a singer-songwriter kind of genre and there aren’t a lot of people who do that. It is relatively new and picking up slowly. We are sort of the first to venture out like this here.”
Prateek points out In Tokens And Charms , is not really a concept album.
“I write songs mostly about personal experiences. These are a collection of what I think is my best work so far. It has a common theme since most of them relate to passion, youth and relationships. And sonically, we picked songs that fit well together.”
What inspired the name? He admits that he couldn’t think of a name for a long time.
“The words ‘in tokens, in charms’ is actually a line from one of the songs called ‘Cold Shoulder’. It stood out and kind of ties all my personal experiences together. These songs are sort of tokens in their own way. So the name stuck. Moreover, it’s all very spontaneous. I don’t really force it”
Having released his EP Raat Raazi in Hindi in 2013, the multilingual composer says he’s been writing in English and Hindi for a long time simultaneously.
“After the Hindi EP, I just had more English songs to choose from for this album in terms of volume of work. I would love to get an international audience. But even in India, it’s a demographic that is comfortable listening to songs in both languages. I don’t want to have a demarcation.” His take on the independent music scene? It is definitely opening up, he says.
“It’s not a trend just in music. The demographic is completely changing across all fields. It’s exploding right now. It’s a great time to venture out there as a musician and do what you want to do. But make sure you are honest and are doing it for yourself. Everything else will follow.” Visit www.prateekkuhad.com for more.
