Indi pop singer ANAMIKA, who started her musical journey from New York with a band, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about her journey and her latest single, Ferrareee
nHow did your musical journey begin?
Besides learning Indian classical I have learnt western classical as well since I was studying in New York. Then home beckoned and I came back to India and saw the trend here. My first song was Catwalk, it was a fun song too. Then I realised that I had to get into music and started doing other songs like Intezaar and Kala Sha Kala. Indian classical helped me because of my strength on stage; western classical helped me in the power of the voice. So you can give me any song — international or Punjabi or Hindi — I can sing all since I can modulate my voice accordingly.
What is Ferrareee about?
It is about the car — Ferrari — as the name of the song suggests. This car has always been on my bucket list; it is my favourite. The brand, for me, is larger than life and so has been my vision. I have always wanted something out-of-the-box, something that takes away from the usual and breaks the monotony. There have always been songs about boys chasing girls. This time I wanted to do a song about a girl chasing a boy, something different, something refreshing. Then I wrote my lyrics accordingly and hence they are fun. The words are not complicated, they are very next door and relate to the song. The moment people will hear it, they would want to sing with it.
Does this mean that the song is for a particular segment?
Not at all. All my songs are for every generation. This is one thing that I always keep in mind, that I will not do a song just for teenagers or youngsters. No. Songs that I do are for people of all ages. Once you hear this song and see the video, you will relate to it.
How long did you work on this song?
I started working on it much before the lockdown last year, in January. We were scheduled to release the song in October 2020. But due to COVID-19 protocol we had to defer it. We did the video in November and ready it in December. But choose to wait and release the song on Mahashivratri and it is my mother’s birthday. I just wanted to thank her.
You had a band in NY. What made you come to India?
Yes, I worked with a band called Yankees. I came back to India due to my responsibility towards my mother and father. They were very lonely. So, I wanted to be back home. Also, it was never in my mind to do an album or anything like that. I am a live band singer. I formed a band called Temptations and used to sing at the Le Meridien. From there, I got spotted and here I am.
You are the only Indi pop singer who sings in Punjabi and English. How did you end up doing this?
I also sing in Hindi and Spanish as well. It just happened and that is how versatile I want to be. I don’t want to stick to one genre or style of music. This is where I stand out when I do my performances. I do a lock of English covers and rock music. My band plays a lot of retro. Depending on where we are, we perform accordingly.
Over the years you have delivered many hits. Did you think they would still be popular today?
It feels great that people still remember. At that time, I was just doing music. It is my passion. But these songs so big like Intezaar… Kala Sha Kala is a wedding anthem. We were probably thinking 10 years ahead when we did these songs. This song, that I have just done, will carry on for another couple of years. My idea is to sustain.
Have you had to change your style a bit due to changing musical tastes of the people today?
I am one person who goes with the trend. I adapt to what is happening in the present. I move with the time. I tell everybody that my idol is JLo (Jennifer Lopez). I follow her to the T. She is always going with the time. I want to do the same and keep going till I can. I have good support.
What next?
My next song Sha La La La I ready. Then there is another song, Chak De Dhol. I have done an international song for world peace. Due to lockdown it got postponed.
