1) For those people who are only recently familiar with you, could you briefly discuss how many albums you have released, and what some of your biggest releases have been?
I first started my career singing old hindi remixes to gain experience and build my reputation. One of my early smash hit albums was Sugar & Spice, featuring 'O Meray Dil Ke Chain.' This album alone sold 40,000 copies and went platinum. Following this, I started working on my own original material with my band Legacy. Our hits include Ruk Jana Sajni , Sonay Di Taveetree, Teray Sadqay, and most recently Nachdi Sohni and Soniye.
2) When did you first start singing? When did you start doing Bhangra music?
Like most singers I started singing from an early age, with strong influences from Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It was only 7 years ago that I started singing professionally. I've been signing Bhangra Music ever since I started in the industry. With the exception of playback music, it is the most widely spread and recognized music listened to by Asians in the world today. For us, we have our own blend of Bhangra music is slightly different to others.
3) Where did the name "Legacy" come about, and what is the basis behind that name?
Legacy is a very powerful word with deep meaning. We always said from the beginning we want to be remembered for our music. With so many artists coming and leaving the industry, we wanted to leave a substantial mark, and be remembered for rocking audiences all over the globe. We think the name is a complete representation of what we want to achieve. We want to leave a "Legacy" with our music. . . .
4) What are the inspirations behind your songs? What sorts of things inspire you as you write the songs for the album? Is it a process where you just sit down and write, or are you one of those artists that always carries a pen and pad around?
Every day life and many experiences inspire me as a writer and a musician. My inspirations vary from conversations with my closest family members to moments that I capture in my mind through watching other people interact. Sometimes I will see a young couple in love with each other, and it might be the way that he looks at her or visa versa which gives me the inspiration and idea to compose a piece of music or a song. A good example, was a few years ago, when my mother complimented me, for something I had achieved, and her pride and appreciation she expressed in the way she said 'Teray Sadqay'. This track went onto to be a smash world-wide, and really put me on the map internationally.
5) How did you get hooked up with Sukhshinder Shinda? How is it working with the Music Master?
I've always been a great admirer of the musical genius Sukhshinder Shinda. He is by far one of the best producers this industry has ever seen. He is an unbelievably talented musician and singer, yet he is very friendly, humble and working with him is so much fun. His music has a desi vibe and origin which reaches both young and old music listeners. It started with the album "Teray Sadqay," where he produced a few of the tracks on my album, and I suppose we just hit it off with each other. Shinda Pha Ji has produced all of my latest album "Nachdi Sohni," and we've already started sharing ideas about the new album.
6) How would you describe your style as an artist, and what artists may have influenced your style early on as you developed your unique sound?
I've already mentioned some of the legendary singers that I admire, and still listen to. I think it is important to establish your own style and identity as an artist. Legacy music is desi-pop or Pop Bhangra, which I feel is slightly unique in comparison to other artists. Whilst our music has a strong desi foundation in terms of lyrics, vocals, and music, we try and inject dance, RnB, swing and other western influences, yet still keeping a core desi foundation.
7) Who were some of your favourite artists in the Bhangra industry growing up? What about currently?
During my school and college days, the bands at the forefront of the industry were Chirag Pechan, Heera, and Alaap. These are now know as the Godfathers of Bhangra as they inspired a whole generation of Asian music listeners. Two of my favorite artists today are Hans Raj Hans and Abrar Ul Haq.
8) Where would you say your biggest following is? In the US, UK, Canada, India?
It's difficult to comment on where I think my biggest following is. I have a strong fan base in US, especially New York, New Jersey, Washington, and San Francisco. I have also played concerts in Toronto, Canada before. However, I can't ignore my fans in Norway, Denmark, Eastern Europe, and Dubai. My album "Nachdi Sohni" has just been released in India and Pakistan, and I'm flying out to Pakistan towards the end of September, and my contacts in Pakistan inform me there is an amazing feeling of expectation for me, so I guess the fan base has a strong foundation in India and Pakistan also. I also have a strong following in the UK, of course, and Scotland, especially Edinburgh and Glasgow.
9) What is something interesting about you that even your most dedicated fans would not know?
That I can never get to sleep in any other bed than my own at home! Of all the various countries, cities, and several hundreds of hotels I have stayed in, I have yet to find a bed that is as comfortable as my own!
10) www.punjabisongs.com wants to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. What can we expect from you in the future with regard to album releases, tours, concerts, shows, collaborations?
I've already mentioned the Pakistani shows, in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. I've just done gigs in Norway, Paris and Texas US. I'm back in Norway in November and back in US in early part of next year. I tend to spend a lot of time in India and Pakistan in coming months promoting Nachdi Sohni, and Soniye 'back home'. I'm doing some joint collaborations with other artists which, is a surprise so I can't tell you just yet. I've already mentioned that work on the new album is underway and I'm already discussing ideas with the mighty Shinda. What's guaranteed is that the new album will be even bigger and better than Nachdi Sohni, which has received an amazing response from all four corners of the world. I would like to thank all my fans for their unconditional love and support. Before I sign out, for those of you who still haven't bought my new album NACHDI SOHNI please check it out. For further info you can log on to my website www.legacymusicuk.com
Peace Tariq Khan LEGACY...............
