Amrit Dasu aka DASU, is excited to release his international single, Turn Back Time. He talks to SHAlINI SAKSENA about how he became a singer and songwriter
Tell us about yourself.
Singer, songwriter and model of Indian descent, I was born in the US and raised in Hong Kong. I can also speak a lot of languages. I have just recently released my song with Charly Black — Turn Back Time — a major international single for me. When I was out here in January this year, I did a song with Mallika Sherawat. The song — Dil Kya Kare — was a deal with the Universal Music Group (India) produced by Rishi Rich.
How did music come to youIJ
It was my mother. She was the points person for me to the entertainment world. I was fascinated by Michael Jackson and Chris Brown — the way they danced and performed. For me, that is what I want, to be a great performer. I am building towards, I didn’t know which genre I was going to do but I always knew I was going to do this.
Has knowing so many languages helped propel your careerIJ
I don’t think that it has helped me change my career but it has helped me bridge communities. My parents are Indians, but I am American and then raised in Hong Kong. I am part of so much history. I am able to connect the US with Hong Kong, Hong Kong with India and India with the US.
You are a model as well.
I started with being a model. I did a Horizon commercial; like you have IPl, we have Major league Baseball. I did this with Alex Baldwin. I have done a lot of work. I still do it but focusing on music.
You are a songwriter as well. What do you like doing the bestIJ
It’s very hard to choose. Since all three are me, not somebody I try to be. I don’t considered myself as a singer, actor or a model. I am an entertainer first, I do whatever I can do. When I am in the studio, the first thing that comes is humming melody, this turns into songwriting which gives way to singing. So one thing leads to another. Without one, I can’t be the other.
Any Bollywood plansIJ
My favourite actor is Akshay Kumar. I would love to be a part of the industry, but at present, my heart is in another place. If an opportunity arose, I would do it. At this point, it doesn’t attract me; it was not as I grew up with this aim. I am not going to say yes, nor am I going to say no.
Singing or actingIJ
I would do both. There is so much talent here in India. A few years back I got an opportunity to see an AR Rahman performance. I was right in front of the stage. The performance he put was amazing. Even in America, they don’t put up such shows, the sounds are so different and the instruments are different too. Indian music is so different. So definitely as a singer but acting too, if it comes my way.
What nextIJ
I go back to the studio. I am working with a group from New York City, they are a legendary band. I am writing for with. But right now, I look forward to this single with Charly Black, probably do a few shows here in India in the coming years.