Dilpreet Bhatia: Making Music In the Digital Age

Being judged by Ozzy Osborne, Kelly Clarkson and other music authorities of that stature can be quite unnerving. Well, Dilpreet Bhatia not only withstood the heat but also performed gracefully under pressure. In 2011, Bhatia won of the International Songwriting Competition in the World Music Category for his single “Tere Bil Dil” from the album 22 No. Faatak.

Dilpreet Bhatia: Making Music In the Digital Age

Drawn to ‘raw’ music, delineated by a single guitar accompanied by a wide spectrum of vocals, the artist is very clear about creating a palpable emotion. A chord that strikes a chord! He speaks to SoundTree on sustaining a day job, his experience at the competition, and what’s in store at the DB music mansion.

SoundTree: You are a project manager with an international bank by the day and a singer/songwriter/music producer by night. How does that work? How difficult is it managing the two extremes. Pure numbers Vs pure music.

DB: It is a constant struggle I face each day to maintain the balance between work and music. But I am blessed with an amazing family who support me and understand my commitments which make this juggle a lot easier.

SoundTree: Punjabi acoustic. It’s an unusual and difficult genre as you don’t have much external support. It is about music in its pure unadulterated form with a heavy folk influence. What is it that draws you to the pure sound in the age of digitization?

DB: For me what is important is feeling one with the music and I feel that way with acoustic sounds. When you don’t have clutter, just one acoustic guitar and vocals, all you are left with is just raw emotion. I think that’s what draws me to it most.

SoundTree: You have gained a lot of recognition for your earlier songs but we are sure as an artist one is always nervous about the latest creation. Tell us about Nostalgia and the story behind it.

DB: Well I wrote Nostalgia few years back, the song is very special to me. It speaks about those cherished memories one dreams of reliving and I feel most of the people will identify with it as everyone has memories they want to hold on to.

SoundTree: People are always talking about indie artist crossing over and film music is seen as the ultimate sign of having arrived. What do you feel about it? Do you think that film music is the only way to reach out to a larger audience?

DB: Unfortunately in India, Independent music still has a long way to go. It’s still very tough for an indie musician to reach that level of popularity, which Bollywood musicians enjoy. Simply because of the promotional budget films have, and very few TV and radio channels supporting Indie Music in India. Things are changing though.

Different people have different perspective on things. For some it’s a dream come true. But I don’t feel that making into Films as an ultimate sign for having arrived or being “happy ever after”. I still find most solace in writing, expressing and sharing what’s inside of me. That’ what makes me the happiest and peaceful at the same time.

SoundTree: Your song Tere Bin Dil won at the International Song Writing Competition for Best World Music. The competition was judged by the likes of Ozzy Ozborne, Tom Waits, and Kelly Clarkson along with a number of other iconic artists. How was the feeling of gaining that kind of recognition at an international platform? Also, how important is an international award in the Indian scenario?

DB: It naturally is a great feeling that these legendary artists liked and voted for my song. Honestly I was not expecting to win. I was not prepared for it, I think. So, it came as a shock initially. But at the same time gave me the assurance that I am on the right path and just have to persevere and focus on what I am doing.

And the second part of your question – To be honest, I never thought about its importance. I would still believe that people like a song not because it has won some award, but because they connected with it. They could feel the emotion with which it was sung.

SoundTree: You have already collaborated with quite a few big names – multiple Grammy-winning producers Ken Lewis, Shammi Pithia and Leslie Lewis. We are sure they all bring their individual style but what is that one thing that you have learnt from each collaboration?

DB: Ken Lewis: It’s important to ‘let go’ your songs.

Shammi Pithia: It’s easier to make your own songs and sing it, than singing someone else’s composition.

Leslie Lewis:  One does not need A-class equipment, top of the line studio or anything technical to make a great song.

SoundTree: Continuing on the topic of collaborations, what would be your dream team?

DB: Well if given a chance I would love to work with Jack Johnson, Hans Zimmer.

SoundTree: “Sannu Ek Pal” reached cult status when Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan started singing it during his shows.  Not many artists would touch that song as comparisons are natural. You on the other hand not only did an acoustic version but went ahead and added new lyrics as well. We are very curious to know the reason behind this step.

DB: Honestly, there was no particular reason behind it. I was always very drawn to this song and the antraa lyrics came naturally to me which I thought gelled with my way of singing. I am very glad that people accepted and liked my version.

SoundTree: What are your feelings about the independent music scene in the country? With artists releasing their songs online, album sales have become a thing of the past. What do you think is the best way forward?

DB: I think independent music scene in India is now again slowly and steadily gaining popularity but it has still not reached where it deserves to be. Currently there are so many talented independent artists out there and not enough platforms to support or promote them. I hope that this changes soon and independent music reaches more to the masses in coming times.

SoundTree: And finally, what’s next by the song writer/singer/music producer and aspiring minimalist?

DB: I have written some songs which have been in the pipeline for long but I want to get them out soon now. There is one single in collaboration with a very talented artist Shane Alexander.

Dilpreet will be releasing his new single “Nostalgia” soon which makes him our Artist In Focus. SoundTree hopes to hear more from this talented young artist.