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New Zealand recently hosted up-and-coming artist Arjun Coomarasamy
from the UK, who performed at the well known Annual Bollywood High
School Dance Competition. His special guest performance had captured
the audience as he sang some of his songs, including his English
remix of ‘Why this Kolaveri Di’.
As one of Arjun’s fans I had the opportunity to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with this upcoming artist and get some insight on how his life had changed since he hit the music scene in the UK.
Arjun’s music talents began when he was a lot younger. His mother had him learn a range of different instruments such as the piano, guitar, drums, and even the flute. She had also exposed him to jazz, western and eastern classical music in his younger days, too. However, it was during his early teenage years that he gained a fancy towards the R&B scene. As years passed he found his place in the UK’s Asian
music scene where he began producing and writing music for other
artists. As time progressed, this young, talented but shy young
man built up his confidence to pursue an unexpected career in the
music industry, by recording his own music. Arjun had released his
first single two years ago called ‘Remember Tonight’.
I spoke to Arjun about his music similarities to one
of the world's iconic artists, Jay Sean, and what his take was on
the fans who saw this. ‘He’s amazing, he’s achieved so much,’
he said. ‘I’m flattered to be compared to him in some ways
but his sound is different to mine.’ He explained to me that
with his background in learning instruments, most of his music is
focused on his instrumental talents, in particular his guitar, which
generates his acoustic sounds for most of the tracks.
Many will know Ryan Leslie as a record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur and singer but Arjun sees him as someone he looks up to. He
also happens to be Arjun's favourite artist.
Fans had also wondered about the silver ring that Arjun
wears in most of his videos, and what it represented. He wore it
to the interview. He giggled before responding, ‘It’s just
a ring actually, it’s not that I’m married or anything, it’s not
my fourth finger.’
It seems like I may have put Arjun on the spot about the ring. He went on
explaining about how he use to wear a lot of jewellery back in the day, but, as time
passed, he’s been reminded to lay off the heavy bling, which has resulted to keeping
it just to one ring.
Asking Arjun on what it was like to his parents he had
choose to go down a path that was not at all expected from a typical
Indian parent, he responded, ‘I’m lucky that my Mum is quite musical
herself, so she loves the fact that I do music.’ Had he not
become a professional musician, he would still have followed a creative
career, he says, something on the lines of design, and possibly
a graphic designer.
continued below
 Now what’s an interview without some fan questions?
Most of your music is directed at a girl or is about a girl. Is there
anyone in particular that you gain inspiration from?
Some of them have been about people, but a lot of it is just general. It tends to be
about stuff that I have been through and some of it is just stuff that I have heard
from other people like friends, but I will say that there is not “a” girl.
How do you get your style, do you have a stylist or do you just style
yourself?
I style myself but I do get some help from ‘her’ (referring to a female in his team)
and people just help me out, but no stylist yet.
What are your favourite brands?
Armani Exchange and Boss.
When you are performing, have you ever got verses
or lyrics mixed up?
Funny enough, [in] the radio interview with Radio Tarana, I forgot
a few words and ended up changing the words around, but yeah, it
only happens occasionally, if not rarely. Don’t know why, though
I tend to practise them every time.
continued below
In the music industry, fame is important. However, what helped Arjun
gain a lot of respect from me while interviewing him was when I
had asked him how he shows appreciation to his fans that have been
with him from the beginning. ‘I know the key fans of mine who
have been there from the start and I do keep in contact with them
and chat to them online. I don’t forget and I’m faithful to those
who have helped me out,’ he replied. He was clearly grateful
for the life he has, and how successful his music is becoming.
I had a bit of fun testing Arjun on his New Zealand
trivia. Needless to say he made a very good attempt of answering
all the questions, and seeing that he had only been in the country
for two days, his attempts were respectable. The best part was trying
to get Arjun to pronounce ‘Māori’. Having a UK accent
didn’t help.
There is no doubt that Arjun is extremely talented, more so after having interviewed him in person. There are a few lessons I took away from the interview:
do what you love; your parents are the best people to help you shape your future; and
British accents aren’t the best suited for pronouncing Māori words. Lucire wishes
Arjun the best for his endeavours and career, which looks set to blossom further. • |
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‘Funny enough, [in] the radio interview with Radio Tarana, I forgot a few words and ended up changing the words around’
Tania Naidu is a Lucire contributor.
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