Encouraged by his father to learn Gurbani, Aseez Kaul sang shabads in his gurdwaras growing up. Although it inspired her to find value in her own voice, her urge to take an interest in music professionally didn’t stop Madhuri Dixit from writing songs for a movie when she was in sixth grade. It was something that only sprouted when I saw them dance together.Hum Apke Hein Kuhn..!”
A few years later, Kaul got his first big break and recorded his first Bollywood song.Love’ for the movie Tamanchey. She has people’s favorite “painAnd now I’m working on a bigger project. Kaul’s latest work “i won’t give an ais the expression of a bold woman who makes her own choices unapologetically, no matter what society says.
in an interview with she is peopleAshys Kaur reminisces about her childhood musical inspirations, her journey of playback singing, the representation of women in music, and how she pushed her own boundaries.
Interview with Aces Kaul
How difficult was it to get into the film industry in the first place, and now that you’re a top name in the industry, what are your current challenges?
I didn’t have any connections in Mumbai, not in the film industry, so my path to becoming a playback singer was very difficult. The hardest part was writing the first song, as I had to meet many music directors to showcase my talent. Everyone liked my voice, but it wasn’t until Tanishuk Bagki and Azeem Dayani gave me the chance to sing.painI was finally able to get a proper evaluation. Despite the difficulties, I enjoyed the process and was determined to work hard and achieve my dream of becoming a playback singer.
The current challenge for any artist is to remain relevant to society, and to do that, they need to understand what people enjoy while staying true to themselves. Simply following trends is not enough. It’s important to resonate with your audience while staying true to your own personality.
Tell us more about your latest single, “I Don’t Give A.”
“I Don’t Give A” is a song about empowerment and confidence that many people can relate to. The lyrics talk about just being yourself and doing your own thing without caring what other people say or think. The music video for this song is also something I’m really proud of. It was a lot of fun to shoot in such a beautiful location and try out some new dance moves. Overall, I think both the song and video have a really positive and uplifting message. And I hope people enjoy it and take something out of it.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process as a singer starts with finding the right song or melody that resonates with me. Sometimes we collaborate with music directors to provide rough tunes and lyrics. Once I have the basic structure, I like to work on the lyrics and the melody at the same time, making changes until I’m happy with the final product. During this process, I also try different vocal techniques and styles to see what works best for the song. Once the lyrics and melody are decided, I work with the team to arrange and produce the final track.
My creative process involves a lot of trial and error, experimentation and collaboration with other artists to bring my vision to life.
What do you think had a big impact on your development as a singer?
For me, the most important aspect of my growth is feeling that I am constantly improving with each song. I make it a priority to compare my current work with my previous work, striving to make each new song better than the previous one. This inner competition with myself is what motivates and inspires me to continue to improve and grow as a musician.
Has Social Media Influenced You Professionally?
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I wasn’t very active on social media. However, I realized that I had a lot of free time at home, so I started using Instagram to interact with my fans and started enjoying it. Interacting with fans quickly created a connection with them and made me realize the importance of social media. Now, I use Instagram to get feedback from my followers.
Do you feel like the dynamics are evolving within the music industry in terms of outreach? In a way, digitalization has made diverse musical cultures accessible and interesting to everyone today. but it wasn’t before.
In my opinion, digitization has greatly benefited the music industry. This allows us to collaborate with artists from all over the world. In addition, many listeners have diverse musical tastes. For example, if you look at someone’s playlist, you might find songs by both Adele and Emiway. This diversity helps people broaden their musical horizons, and as artists, it allows us to see what other musicians are doing in different parts of the world. If our creative frequencies match, we can collaborate with them. Therefore, I believe that digitization is a win-win situation for all involved.
Based on your experience, do you feel the dynamics have changed in terms of gaining more representation and a level playing field for Indian women’s voices today compared to 10 years ago?
The music industry should focus more on featuring female voices. Female vocals are often introduced in songs only in the middle of the a.ofthere is no suitable hookline, or Mukda. Occasionally, a female singer will sing the hookline, but not always. I think we should give female singers a chance to sing the chorus so that they feel more connected to her songs.
While there has been some progress in recent years, there is still room for improvement in how women’s voices are used in the music industry.
How do you push your own limits?
I have high standards for myself and it shows in both my personal fitness and music training. When I was preparing for the “I Don’t Give A” project, I adhered to a strict diet and workout regimen to stay in top physical condition for my on-screen appearances. Similarly, in my musical practice, I am very disciplined in my daily vocal training (Riyaz), making it a top priority in my schedule. I believe self-improvement is important and we must take responsibility for our own development. Hard work is always reliable and accountable, and it is imperative that we continue to strive to do our best.
Is there a project or concert performance closest to your heart?
I take great pleasure in singing on stage and connecting with my fans. The Dubai Expo performance was very special to me and I wanted it to happen and after a long wait it happened. It was an incredible feeling to perform there with artists from all over the world showcasing their talents. I had hoped to perform at the closing ceremony, but I was lucky to get the last slot. This performance will always have a special place in my heart. I am now looking forward to my first UK tour in July, which is very important to me and something I am working very hard on.
Are there any musicians who have influenced you?
Listening to the music of great figures such as Nur Jahan Ji and Lata Mangeshkar Ji during my childhood had a deep impact on me. Arijit Singh is currently a source of inspiration for me. I have great respect for his work ethic and every aspect of his profession. I believe that every musician has something unique and I try to learn from their strengths and incorporate them into my music.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
My most important piece of advice for aspiring singers is to take your rears (practice) seriously. Ultimately it’s your voice that really matters, so you need to practice every day. It’s your voice, not your social media followers, looks or personality that will ultimately propel your career forward. I truly believe in the importance of Leahs. If you skip practice even for a day, only you will know. If you skip practice for a few days, the music director will notice, and if you skip practice for 15 days, even an amateur will know something is wrong. So make sure you prioritize your practice and do it regularly.
Recommended reading: Tu Joom: How Mansa Pandey Sang a Song That Reached the Hearts of the Nation
