1. First of all, thank you for sitting down to answer a few questions. Can you please tell us who Gubi Sandhu is and where are you from?
First of all I just want to say a massive Sat Sri Akal, Salaam, Namaste and hello to all the people that are reading this interview. My name is Gubi Sandhu, im 24 years old and I am an up and coming artist from Leicester in the U.K. For more info Visit Gubisandhu.Com and go to the Biography section! I’ve Released 2 solo albums ’Dil Karda’ & ‘Sold My Soul’ and previously to those I featured on 6 compilation albums with my first song being ‘Sah Rukh Dha’ and the 2nd ‘Dil Karda’. For me music, although a full time profession, I still treat it as a hobby and feel I have got a long way to go. Basically I am just starting out even though I have been doing this for nearly 5 years.
2. You started your professional career at the ripe age of 19 so did you realize how difficult it would be to break into the market at such a young age?
It depends on what your expectations are, if you want to release a song out of the blue and become a household name over night you will find it hard and it probably wont happen just like that. I didn’t really have expectations, as it’s a hobby for me so I took each day as it came. Sah Rukh Dha was a huge track for me and it did push me out in the scene as soon as it came out, but the hardest thing was doing a follow up track that would have the same, if not bigger impact and that happened with Dil Karda. The important thing is you got to have a team behind you. Music is not a one-man thing at all. You have to have the right Label, lyricists, producers and friends pushing you and especially if you are new to the scene like I was at the age of 19, it certainly does help.
3. How did you get your first break into the record industry and who helped you out?
My cousin was part of the Untouchables promotions team at the time told me that the label was looking for new vocalists for the compilation album ‘Danger’. It was the labels second release after the hugely successful debut RDB album. I had just written a song called ‘Sah Rukh Dha’ and I jus went into the studio and recorded it. Went in and came straight back out basically. Next thing I know it was the opening track on the album and it was on radio stations everywhere! The album was a super hit and the publics support and love for that song gave me the confidence, belief in myself and made me who and what I am today.
4. One of the breaks you had was on the UntouchalesUK camp. Can you tell us how influential the likes of RDB have been to your success?
Yeh the whole team has been extremely helpful, supportive and have done very well. RDB are a worldwide name and are touring the world almost all the time. Touring with them and being in the studio with them guys helped me further my understanding of the music market and how things are done. RDB are very unique in what they do and that’s what sets you apart from others. They have produced so many hits out there. They’re going to get bigger for sure.
5. When you initially start preparing to lay down an album. How much input do you want with production, engineering, vocals and typically how long does it take from start to finish?
It depends how long you want to work on the album. Usually it can take 6 months to even 2years. When I record mine I was either touring abroad or doing private shows so you have to balance things out. Basically once I have lyrics in hand I will sit down with the producers and go over the track. Once we are happy with the tune I record guide vocals and the producer then works on the music. After the final music has been done I come back in and lay down the final vocals. I let the producers do the whole music side; I aint a music producer so I just give them a idea of what I want basically. If I aint happy we can always change things about. But most of the times the record company has the final say in how they want the product to sound like because they pay me and pay for the album.
6. Out of the list of songs that you've done, is there any single favorite that sticks out, and what are you playing in your CD player at the moment?
My Favourite track of mine is Dil Karda. It was a track waiting to come out of me for a very long time! Its just one of them songs that 4 years on it gets people on the dance floor going. Ive still got Masti 2 by Kamal Heer playing in the car and Panjabi Mehfil vol.2 by Ghulam Ali Sahib. That’s a dangerous album.
7. Is there any particular artists/DJ's you want to collaborate/perform wtih in the future?
I'd definitely like to get a official track produced by Bhota Jagpal for my next album! It would also be an honour to work with Kamal Heer some time in the future. Both these guys are like my idols so its natural id like to collaborate with them on a future album.
8. The Bhangra fans in the USA and California have seen you perform live just a couple of times and you've rocked the house. We would like more, so can you tell us if you have plans for a USA tour coming soon??
Once the album is out I shall be coming to that part of the world again definitely, the shows are there waiting to happen its just the question of when the album is going to be released.
9. Can you tell us, where is your favourite place to perform in the world and where would you love to perform in the future?
I’ve just come back from performances in Pakistan and Vancouver in march/ April 2006. In terms of crowd attendances and feedback it would have to be Pakistan and Kenya so far. I’ve been to Pakistan three times now but the second time I went I did 3 shows in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. At each show there was like 15000 people and the response I got was amazing. The Kenya show again was on a next level too. I think around 4000 people came and they were again an amazing crowd. I’ve been abroad like 15 times now in 3 years and each time has been a good experience.
10. Off the wall questions:
a) Your favorite food, both Indian and American?
Indian Food Its got to be Makki Di Roti with Saag.
American food it’s got to be a nice artery-clogging heart attack causing burger with fries and coke.
b) Your favorite sport/team to watch?
Arsenal F.C
c) The one thing you never go on the road without?
Some nice music to play in the car.
11. Finally, thank you for sitting down with us. Is there anyone you would like to send a shot-out to or can you tell us what can we expect from Gubi Sandhu in the coming year?
Yes, just a big shout out to the fans out there for the love and support they have given to my music and me. Watch out for my brand new album coming out end of 2006 and ill also be working on a track on the forthcoming album by G.I.Jatt titled ‘Militant’. Thanks to everyone at Punjabisongs.com
