1. We know you used to be the lead singer for the famously known B21. What happened?
Man it seems so long ago I guess I'd just put it down to personal differences you know. We achieved so much in such a short space of time and for me at such a young age I think looking back, if I could go back, I'd have done so many things differently.
2. How did the old B21 get started in the first place?
Well when I was 17 I just wanted to sing plain and simple so I decided to do an album. I new Bally through our families and he was working so I asked him if he wanted to come on board and it just took off from there. He roped his brother in later and the rest is history.
3. You've had tremendous success since you took off on your own, who's helped you along the way?
It's just been a rollercoaster in the last 4 years from all the worrying about going solo to winning the awards in India and receiving such a great response world wide to my music. A lot of it's down to my friends and family who have supported me. Also, my labels, both in England and India and my management who have let me be myself.
4. What were your thoughts on doing the tsunami relief track, Patha Nai Jindh Kadh Muk Jani E, and how did you get involved in that album?
It was a privilege. Shin is my hero and as soon as he asked I jumped at the chance. In turn I asked Sukhbir who's a great mate if he'd like to be involved and Shin asked Taz to appear on a track. Working with those 3 artists who are such stars in there own right worldwide just blew my mind. I was in awe of them and even now it's a highlight of my career. It was a great cause and an amazing experience.
5. Now this one might be a little hard to answer, how do you tie your pagh?
It looks nearly perfect every time! I don’t know, I just tie it every morning. Thanks for the strange compliment!
6. A little more off the wall questions, a) What's your favorite food (both indian and non-indian? b) What' your favorite clothing brand?
My favorite Indian food is dhal mukhuni (I know very boring!) and English is pizza. Clothing wise I pretty much wear anything I feel looks good. If I had to name one, it would be Parasuco.
7. So what's the deal with the track, Dil Mangdi? It's a slammin' track that hasn't beeen heard on any of your albums. Can we expect it to be on your next release? And Simon Nandra has a track called Dil Mangdi which sounds exactly like yours. Any thoughts on that?
Ok let me explain, Dil Mangdi is a track on Simon, who's my engineer when I'm performing live. When he was doing the album I loved the track so I decided to sing it and perform it live. So actually it's not my track, it's Simon's on his album and Surjit Singh from the UK sang it. He did a great job, I just perform it live and my version just has a slow intro and outro. It won't be releasing so you'll have to just see me live to hear it!
8. How often to you get to go "home" and relax and what is the ONE thing you miss most about being at home?
I get home quite often. That's one of the pluses about being solo, I can control my schedule. What I really miss seriously is my ps2 I love playing video games as sad as that sounds! Also the football, but I pretty much arrange my tours and shows around when Liverpool fc play.
9. Rumor has it that B21's next album is going to be entitled, Three's A Crowd. Then again, rumor also has it that your album is going to be called No Strings Attached. Care to explain the meanings behind both titles?
Seriously whatever B21 does, good luck to them, its been 4 years and I've really moved on. My album is called No Strings Attached because now after 4 years I feel free. I'm an artist in my own right, not just the guy who used to be in B21. As proud as I am of my history, I'm even prouder of my solo success.
10. For those of us in California, we all wanted to see you rock the stage all night long at the Yuba City Mela. You only performed 3 tracks I believe. What happened?
It was actually a bit of a mistake by the promoters, they wanted me to do 2 slots but time ran out, it was a great experience a great crowd and hopefully I'll get to perform properly again.
11. Last but not least, www.punjabisongs.com thanks you for sitting down with us for an exclusive interview, but now is your chance to give your shot-outs and promote your work so go for it!
Well I'd just like to thank the music lovers worldwide who have listened to my music for nearly 10 years. Now thank you so much, hope you keep enjoying my music and especially No Strings Attached which will be out worldwide in Nov, peace.
