TG: Firstly do give us a sneak peek into your upcoming show here in Goa.
The show in Goa is going to be me singing a lot of the Bollywood songs that I love, good music that I am really into and that makes people feel good. The connection is important for me. I just want people to connect with the music I sing.The show is going to be pretty commercial but at the same time it's live. So you get to hear the live quality of music rather than just hearing it on the radio. Also, you get to interact with us. I'm quite interactive.You might see me in the audience sitting next to you and singing to you.
TG: Your grand dad was the first Indian classical music teacher at Shantiniketan and your dad too has performed with Ravi Shankar. Coming from an Indian classical background, how did you get interested in Gospel music?
I've not learnt Indian classical music, I've just been brought up around it. Background. Literally. But I like all kinds of music. Growing up in London, you get to hear different kinds of music, one of them being Gospel music and the feel and soul of it, really connected with me. Although I'm not that religious, I'm more spiritual I'd say, I did find that through Gospel music I felt more comfortable with my singing style. So I kind of fuse that with my Indian singing and you can hear a lot of Gospel music influence in my vocal delivery even if it's a love song or a rock and roll song.
TG: Ash is a short form of your name, but how did you decide on the name King?
King is like a nick name in the UK. My friends we just call each other king, as in 'yes king what's going on?' Its similar to the way people say 'bro' or 'yaar' or 'yes boss'. Also, Ashutosh Ganguly is a bit of a mouthful for people to pronounce in the UK and Ash was a bit plain as an artist name especially for me because I am quite extravagent. So we made the name Ash King so that people have something to remember plus it's easier for them to say. And it's got a message behind it, which is to be a leader and remember that anyone can be a king. If I can then anyone can.
TG: You've been part of the Bollywood industry for awhile now. What are your thoughts about it?
If I look at it and think of it now- nothing is perfect, nothing is ideal and you have to adjust, whether it's here or in any industry or any job. So I guess everything has it's trials and obstacles but Bollywood isn't really an organised industry as such. No one is ever on time. Everyone is very laid back but somehow the work gets done which is the beauty of it. In fact it's probably the most unorganisd successful business in the world. But at the same it plays a huge role in people's life. It gives people work, entertainment and escape from sometimes harsh realities of life.
TG: You've mentioned that Hindi music allows you to be more versatile. Could you elaborate?
If you compare Hindi music to Western music “ when they make music in the west they normally make like one album every three years. One album has 12 songs and normally the songs are in one theme. Wheras in Bollywood, while there may be some singers called to sing the same style, I get to sing so many different styles. If you look at Dil Gira Dafatan from Delhi 6 as compared to Aunty ji and then I Love You from Bodyguard, these are three different type of songs. Plus I have recorded songs in different languages - Tamil, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Kanadda. So you get to sing different sounds- phonetics as we call it, and different languages.
TG:You've worked on some amazing tracks so far. Which is your personal favorite?
Te amo is a timeless song. Although it was done five years ago, even when i hear it now it just sounds fresh. Most songs that I've heard do not sound fresh after two years. And it's not just my singing. If you think about the team behind the song “ Pritam and his team- they just really made a really nice romantic classy song which is not cheesy. Normally a romantic song can be really cheesy but Te Amo is a very sweet and humble love song.
TG: You are working on some Konkani tracks with Goan duo Jairaj Joshi and Tushar Kamat. What are your thought about Konkani music.
I really love the vibe of the Goan sound. It just represents the weather, the people- everyone is so chilled over there. Jairaj and Tushar have made some really nice music and when I heard the song Soro, I said that I wanted to sing the same song but in Hindi. So we've now just recorded a Hindi version of the song. I think we're performing it on the day. I don't know whether I am supposed to say that ( chuckles).
TG: Apart from this, what other projects are you are currently working on?
Right now I have sung for two major music directors “ the Meet Brothers and Shakhar Ehsaan Loy. I am also working on a lot of singles with some new composers . I myself am songwriting again, nearly eight years after my song 'Love is blind' was released. So i am really happy to be making new music that will show more of who I am as a person and not just an entertainer.
TG: Who are some of the people that you would love to work with?
Everyone i have worked with so far has been amazing and i would love to work with them again. There's also a few new people that I would love to sing for like Amaal Malik. I think he's really good, he gets his songs just right. I love to work with new people who have a new take on things.
