[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
so how many of you in the audience today
so how many of you in the audience today know about independent music can I see a
know about independent music can I see a
know about independent music can I see a show of hands
show of hands
show of hands okay that’s encouraging that’s ten
okay that’s encouraging that’s ten
okay that’s encouraging that’s ten people in the audience that’s great news
people in the audience that’s great news
people in the audience that’s great news for me let me tell you what I think
for me let me tell you what I think
for me let me tell you what I think independent music is according to me in
independent music is according to me in
independent music is according to me in a pair music is consistent of two main
a pair music is consistent of two main
a pair music is consistent of two main characteristics one that it is not made
characteristics one that it is not made
characteristics one that it is not made objectively and two that it is not
objectively and two that it is not
objectively and two that it is not externally financed and when I say it’s
externally financed and when I say it’s
externally financed and when I say it’s not made objectively what I mean to say
not made objectively what I mean to say
not made objectively what I mean to say is that there’s no producer or director
is that there’s no producer or director
is that there’s no producer or director sitting on our heads and saying okay
sitting on our heads and saying okay
sitting on our heads and saying okay this is the situation and the film we
this is the situation and the film we
this is the situation and the film we have a boy meets girl and the girl
have a boy meets girl and the girl
have a boy meets girl and the girl leaves the boy and then his heart is
leaves the boy and then his heart is
leaves the boy and then his heart is broken write a song about it that’s not
broken write a song about it that’s not
broken write a song about it that’s not what happens with us we write songs from
what happens with us we write songs from
what happens with us we write songs from a purely emotional space from
a purely emotional space from
a purely emotional space from experiences that we’ve had and feelings
experiences that we’ve had and feelings
experiences that we’ve had and feelings that we’ve actually felt that we
that we’ve actually felt that we
that we’ve actually felt that we channelize and put into our own music
channelize and put into our own music
channelize and put into our own music when I say our music is not externally
when I say our music is not externally
when I say our music is not externally financed I mean that all of the content
financed I mean that all of the content
financed I mean that all of the content and the muse is money that we spend
and the muse is money that we spend
and the muse is money that we spend from our own pockets from high paying
from our own pockets from high paying
from our own pockets from high paying gigs that we do or from so-called actual
gigs that we do or from so-called actual
gigs that we do or from so-called actual gainful employment and why it’s so hard
gainful employment and why it’s so hard
gainful employment and why it’s so hard to be a singer-songwriter an independent
to be a singer-songwriter an independent
to be a singer-songwriter an independent singer-songwriter who writes and sings
singer-songwriter who writes and sings
singer-songwriter who writes and sings in English in a country like India which
in English in a country like India which
in English in a country like India which is dominated by Bollywood music and
is dominated by Bollywood music and
is dominated by Bollywood music and music in at least 20 or 30 other
music in at least 20 or 30 other
music in at least 20 or 30 other languages it can be a real uphill task
languages it can be a real uphill task
languages it can be a real uphill task it can be a back-breaking thankless job
it can be a back-breaking thankless job
it can be a back-breaking thankless job but sometimes we have these little
but sometimes we have these little
but sometimes we have these little epiphanies we have what I call shorten
epiphanies we have what I call shorten
epiphanies we have what I call shorten the arm moments when all of a sudden
the arm moments when all of a sudden
the arm moments when all of a sudden someone comes out of the blue and says
someone comes out of the blue and says
someone comes out of the blue and says something like you know I really like
something like you know I really like
something like you know I really like the song that you wrote I really felt it
the song that you wrote I really felt it
the song that you wrote I really felt it it got me through a difficult time in my
it got me through a difficult time in my
it got me through a difficult time in my life
life
life and then sometimes doors open to
and then sometimes doors open to
and then sometimes doors open to opportunities like this where I can come
opportunities like this where I can come
opportunities like this where I can come and speak my mind about something and
and speak my mind about something and
and speak my mind about something and that’s pretty awesome and it makes up
that’s pretty awesome and it makes up
that’s pretty awesome and it makes up for all those days of being blue and
for all those days of being blue and
for all those days of being blue and consumed and self-doubt and being broken
consumed and self-doubt and being broken
consumed and self-doubt and being broken hopeless and it’s all worth it for these
hopeless and it’s all worth it for these
hopeless and it’s all worth it for these moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai
moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai
moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with
I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with
I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with a very doting supportive family and a
a very doting supportive family and a
a very doting supportive family and a person that I really want to talk about
person that I really want to talk about
person that I really want to talk about today is my granddad so my granddad was
today is my granddad so my granddad was
today is my granddad so my granddad was the one who taught me the song I just
the one who taught me the song I just
the one who taught me the song I just plead you audio and he used to play the
plead you audio and he used to play the
plead you audio and he used to play the harmonica
harmonica
harmonica what’s popularly referred to as the
what’s popularly referred to as the
what’s popularly referred to as the mouth organ and when I grew up I would
mouth organ and when I grew up I would
mouth organ and when I grew up I would watch my granddad play that same song
watch my granddad play that same song
watch my granddad play that same song and many other old Indian folk tunes at
and many other old Indian folk tunes at
and many other old Indian folk tunes at family dinners and gatherings and I
family dinners and gatherings and I
family dinners and gatherings and I thought to myself I want to be like this
thought to myself I want to be like this
thought to myself I want to be like this guy I want to be an entity you know I
guy I want to be an entity you know I
guy I want to be an entity you know I want to play music and hold the
want to play music and hold the
want to play music and hold the attention of a crowd and make people
attention of a crowd and make people
attention of a crowd and make people happy and make them tap their feet and
happy and make them tap their feet and
happy and make them tap their feet and that’s what I want to do I want to be a
that’s what I want to do I want to be a
that’s what I want to do I want to be a musician and so when
musician and so when
musician and so when when the time came for me to actually
when the time came for me to actually
when the time came for me to actually take on music my granddad who had been
take on music my granddad who had been
take on music my granddad who had been my biggest critic all these years while
my biggest critic all these years while
my biggest critic all these years while I was growing up who would tell me
I was growing up who would tell me
I was growing up who would tell me things like oh you’re going off tune
things like oh you’re going off tune
things like oh you’re going off tune you’re going off tempo the end of the
you’re going off tempo the end of the
you’re going off tempo the end of the day he was my biggest fan but when it
day he was my biggest fan but when it
day he was my biggest fan but when it actually came down to me taking up music
actually came down to me taking up music
actually came down to me taking up music as a career even though everyone else
as a career even though everyone else
as a career even though everyone else was supportive of my decision my
was supportive of my decision my
was supportive of my decision my granddad thought I lost my mind I think
granddad thought I lost my mind I think
granddad thought I lost my mind I think he had a completely different idea of
he had a completely different idea of
he had a completely different idea of how he thought my career would and
how he thought my career would and
how he thought my career would and should pan out I think he thought I was
should pan out I think he thought I was
should pan out I think he thought I was going to go abroad do a master’s degree
going to go abroad do a master’s degree
going to go abroad do a master’s degree get a fancy high paying job and settle
get a fancy high paying job and settle
get a fancy high paying job and settle down and then put all that money that I
down and then put all that money that I
down and then put all that money that I make from my fancy corporate career into
make from my fancy corporate career into
make from my fancy corporate career into my music and do it as nothing more than
my music and do it as nothing more than
my music and do it as nothing more than just a hobby
just a hobby
just a hobby but when I decided to do music full-time
but when I decided to do music full-time
but when I decided to do music full-time he was quite disappointed and so was I
he was quite disappointed and so was I
he was quite disappointed and so was I seeing that the person that I looked up
seeing that the person that I looked up
seeing that the person that I looked up to my spirit guide my mentor for my
to my spirit guide my mentor for my
to my spirit guide my mentor for my childhood tell me that this might not be
childhood tell me that this might not be
childhood tell me that this might not be the right choice for me I was confused
the right choice for me I was confused
the right choice for me I was confused and sad and I had all these questions in
and sad and I had all these questions in
and sad and I had all these questions in my mind about why this was happening but
my mind about why this was happening but
my mind about why this was happening but I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I
I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I
I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I kept doing what I loved and then one day
kept doing what I loved and then one day
kept doing what I loved and then one day my grandma cured me some old photographs
my grandma cured me some old photographs
my grandma cured me some old photographs and among those old photographs was this
and among those old photographs was this
and among those old photographs was this one and in this photograph my granddad
one and in this photograph my granddad
one and in this photograph my granddad was probably not a day older than 21
was probably not a day older than 21
was probably not a day older than 21 years old and when I first saw this
years old and when I first saw this
years old and when I first saw this photograph the first thought I went
photograph the first thought I went
photograph the first thought I went through my mind is this isn’t my
through my mind is this isn’t my
through my mind is this isn’t my granddad this is a young musician just
granddad this is a young musician just
granddad this is a young musician just like me with passion in his eyes and all
like me with passion in his eyes and all
like me with passion in his eyes and all he wanted to do is play music and this
he wanted to do is play music and this
he wanted to do is play music and this quest this picture left me with more
quest this picture left me with more
quest this picture left me with more questions than answers and I and I was
questions than answers and I and I was
questions than answers and I and I was immediately transported back to the
immediately transported back to the
immediately transported back to the living room where my granddad would play
living room where my granddad would play
living room where my granddad would play and serenade us with music but now that
and serenade us with music but now that
and serenade us with music but now that he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are
he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are
he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are weak and he can’t play as well as he
weak and he can’t play as well as he
weak and he can’t play as well as he used to it made me sad that all I have
used to it made me sad that all I have
used to it made me sad that all I have to prove that my granddad was a musician
to prove that my granddad was a musician
to prove that my granddad was a musician was an old photograph like this I wish
was an old photograph like this I wish
was an old photograph like this I wish I’d done a better job of documenting him
I’d done a better job of documenting him
I’d done a better job of documenting him and so
and so
and so in that moment I took all these thoughts
in that moment I took all these thoughts
in that moment I took all these thoughts that were running through my mind and I
that were running through my mind and I
that were running through my mind and I wrote a song and that song was called
wrote a song and that song was called
wrote a song and that song was called play and as soon as I wrote that song I
play and as soon as I wrote that song I
play and as soon as I wrote that song I decided I was gonna make this song a
decided I was gonna make this song a
decided I was gonna make this song a project by which I would work with my
project by which I would work with my
project by which I would work with my granddad and physically get him to play
granddad and physically get him to play
granddad and physically get him to play the harmonica on the studio recording of
the harmonica on the studio recording of
the harmonica on the studio recording of the song and so in order to record my
the song and so in order to record my
the song and so in order to record my granddad playing the harmonica I had to
granddad playing the harmonica I had to
granddad playing the harmonica I had to go and meet him in our hometown in
go and meet him in our hometown in
go and meet him in our hometown in Kannur which is in Kerala and though my
Kannur which is in Kerala and though my
Kannur which is in Kerala and though my granddad was initially really shy and
granddad was initially really shy and
granddad was initially really shy and reluctant to do this I think towards the
reluctant to do this I think towards the
reluctant to do this I think towards the end he warmed up to the idea because he
end he warmed up to the idea because he
end he warmed up to the idea because he was really excited about the fact that
was really excited about the fact that
was really excited about the fact that we could spend time together or some
we could spend time together or some
we could spend time together or some quality time and he could show me around
quality time and he could show me around
quality time and he could show me around the town that he held very dear to his
the town that he held very dear to his
the town that he held very dear to his heart and tell me stories about his life
heart and tell me stories about his life
heart and tell me stories about his life and that’s exactly what we did so over
and that’s exactly what we did so over
and that’s exactly what we did so over cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil
cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil
cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil rich meals
rich meals
rich meals my granddad told me stories about his
my granddad told me stories about his
my granddad told me stories about his childhood and the eda that he came from
childhood and the eda that he came from
childhood and the eda that he came from he grew up at a time where options were
he grew up at a time where options were
he grew up at a time where options were limited but because options were limited
limited but because options were limited
limited but because options were limited people took nothing for granted he and I
people took nothing for granted he and I
people took nothing for granted he and I were the same age his life may have
were the same age his life may have
were the same age his life may have panned out completely differently he may
panned out completely differently he may
panned out completely differently he may have actually been able to have a
have actually been able to have a
have actually been able to have a successful career in music and that may
successful career in music and that may
successful career in music and that may have changed everything and so I
have changed everything and so I
have changed everything and so I explained to him that now we live in an
explained to him that now we live in an
explained to him that now we live in an Internet age and asked music makers have
Internet age and asked music makers have
Internet age and asked music makers have a direct relationship with the people
a direct relationship with the people
a direct relationship with the people who consume our music and that’s really
who consume our music and that’s really
who consume our music and that’s really been all the difference that we needed
been all the difference that we needed
been all the difference that we needed as musicians and even though I say that
as musicians and even though I say that
as musicians and even though I say that being an independent musician is hard
being an independent musician is hard
being an independent musician is hard this is probably the best we’ve ever had
this is probably the best we’ve ever had
this is probably the best we’ve ever had it because the Internet has really
it because the Internet has really
it because the Internet has really opened up the doors that have helped us
opened up the doors that have helped us
opened up the doors that have helped us facilitate this connection with the
facilitate this connection with the
facilitate this connection with the people who consume our music and though
people who consume our music and though
people who consume our music and though I mean I don’t have to tell you what
I mean I don’t have to tell you what
I mean I don’t have to tell you what music can do and what a powerful
music can do and what a powerful
music can do and what a powerful communication tool it is as a listener
communication tool it is as a listener
communication tool it is as a listener especially but I can tell you that as a
especially but I can tell you that as a
especially but I can tell you that as a songwriter writing a song helps you put
songwriter writing a song helps you put
songwriter writing a song helps you put so many things in perspective in your
so many things in perspective in your
so many things in perspective in your mind it helps you get closure from
mind it helps you get closure from
mind it helps you get closure from things that you just can’t understand
things that you just can’t understand
things that you just can’t understand about yourself or external so
about yourself or external so
about yourself or external so stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to
stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to
stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to like get a message across and sometimes
like get a message across and sometimes
like get a message across and sometimes all you need is a little bit of self
all you need is a little bit of self
all you need is a little bit of self fulfillment and songwriting has given me
fulfillment and songwriting has given me
fulfillment and songwriting has given me that sense of purpose so even though to
that sense of purpose so even though to
that sense of purpose so even though to the rest the world this song might seem
the rest the world this song might seem
the rest the world this song might seem like just a three-minute song to me was
like just a three-minute song to me was
like just a three-minute song to me was an entire journey to me the song had
an entire journey to me the song had
an entire journey to me the song had been in the making my entire life and it
been in the making my entire life and it
been in the making my entire life and it took just looking at an old photograph
took just looking at an old photograph
took just looking at an old photograph for all those memories to rush back in
for all those memories to rush back in
for all those memories to rush back in and help me write this song so ladies
and help me write this song so ladies
and help me write this song so ladies and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this
and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this
and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this song it’s called play
[Music]
[Music] the evenings laughter is reached enough
the evenings laughter is reached enough
the evenings laughter is reached enough you find yourself trapped in a web rapt
you find yourself trapped in a web rapt
you find yourself trapped in a web rapt attention requests for songs wring out
attention requests for songs wring out
attention requests for songs wring out the same old tunes demanded convention
the same old tunes demanded convention
the same old tunes demanded convention you shy away but not for long they all
you shy away but not for long they all
you shy away but not for long they all begin to sing the songs you know to play
begin to sing the songs you know to play
begin to sing the songs you know to play tunes from yesterday you yield to
tunes from yesterday you yield to
tunes from yesterday you yield to pressure from the crowd you try but you
pressure from the crowd you try but you
pressure from the crowd you try but you can’t play out loud your lungs they seem
can’t play out loud your lungs they seem
can’t play out loud your lungs they seem to distil they you but please find the
to distil they you but please find the
to distil they you but please find the strength to play us just one
we love to hear you these songs that we
we love to hear you these songs that we heard so long before we love to hear you
heard so long before we love to hear you
heard so long before we love to hear you play you face turns red you sip your
play you face turns red you sip your
play you face turns red you sip your drink for a moment start to think about
drink for a moment start to think about
drink for a moment start to think about the times it all came easy the worn out
the times it all came easy the worn out
the times it all came easy the worn out stages you once played the lifelong
stages you once played the lifelong
stages you once played the lifelong friends you thought you made this times
friends you thought you made this times
friends you thought you made this times are crazy the songs that you don’t
are crazy the songs that you don’t
are crazy the songs that you don’t recognize
recognize
recognize lighten up your children’s eyes will
lighten up your children’s eyes will
lighten up your children’s eyes will soon appear to be
soon appear to be
soon appear to be me times like this when you would play
me times like this when you would play
me times like this when you would play our favorite songs from yesterday so
our favorite songs from yesterday so
our favorite songs from yesterday so once again can we just
he’s by the strength to play us just one
he’s by the strength to play us just one we love to hear you these songs and we
we love to hear you these songs and we
we love to hear you these songs and we heard so long before we love to hear you
so I just like to conclude by saying
so I just like to conclude by saying that I think one of the most beautiful
that I think one of the most beautiful
that I think one of the most beautiful things about writing and pulling out
things about writing and pulling out
things about writing and pulling out songs into the universe is that
songs into the universe is that
songs into the universe is that something as simple as a feeling that
something as simple as a feeling that
something as simple as a feeling that you wrote about in the comfort of your
you wrote about in the comfort of your
you wrote about in the comfort of your bedroom could be drawn into a
bedroom could be drawn into a
bedroom could be drawn into a combination of lyrics and melody and can
combination of lyrics and melody and can
combination of lyrics and melody and can be released into the universe and can
be released into the universe and can
be released into the universe and can exist as a snapshot of your state of
exist as a snapshot of your state of
exist as a snapshot of your state of mind for the rest of eternity and it can
mind for the rest of eternity and it can
mind for the rest of eternity and it can outlive you and I think that’s a pretty
outlive you and I think that’s a pretty
outlive you and I think that’s a pretty amazing thing and that’s what I love
amazing thing and that’s what I love
amazing thing and that’s what I love about being a songwriter thank you so
about being a songwriter thank you so
about being a songwriter thank you so much
much
much [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
so how many of you in the audience today
so how many of you in the audience today know about independent music can I see a
know about independent music can I see a
know about independent music can I see a show of hands
show of hands
show of hands okay that’s encouraging that’s ten
okay that’s encouraging that’s ten
okay that’s encouraging that’s ten people in the audience that’s great news
people in the audience that’s great news
people in the audience that’s great news for me let me tell you what I think
for me let me tell you what I think
for me let me tell you what I think independent music is according to me in
independent music is according to me in
independent music is according to me in a pair music is consistent of two main
a pair music is consistent of two main
a pair music is consistent of two main characteristics one that it is not made
characteristics one that it is not made
characteristics one that it is not made objectively and two that it is not
objectively and two that it is not
objectively and two that it is not externally financed and when I say it’s
externally financed and when I say it’s
externally financed and when I say it’s not made objectively what I mean to say
not made objectively what I mean to say
not made objectively what I mean to say is that there’s no producer or director
is that there’s no producer or director
is that there’s no producer or director sitting on our heads and saying okay
sitting on our heads and saying okay
sitting on our heads and saying okay this is the situation and the film we
this is the situation and the film we
this is the situation and the film we have a boy meets girl and the girl
have a boy meets girl and the girl
have a boy meets girl and the girl leaves the boy and then his heart is
leaves the boy and then his heart is
leaves the boy and then his heart is broken write a song about it that’s not
broken write a song about it that’s not
broken write a song about it that’s not what happens with us we write songs from
what happens with us we write songs from
what happens with us we write songs from a purely emotional space from
a purely emotional space from
a purely emotional space from experiences that we’ve had and feelings
experiences that we’ve had and feelings
experiences that we’ve had and feelings that we’ve actually felt that we
that we’ve actually felt that we
that we’ve actually felt that we channelize and put into our own music
channelize and put into our own music
channelize and put into our own music when I say our music is not externally
when I say our music is not externally
when I say our music is not externally financed I mean that all of the content
financed I mean that all of the content
financed I mean that all of the content and the muse is money that we spend
and the muse is money that we spend
and the muse is money that we spend from our own pockets from high paying
from our own pockets from high paying
from our own pockets from high paying gigs that we do or from so-called actual
gigs that we do or from so-called actual
gigs that we do or from so-called actual gainful employment and why it’s so hard
gainful employment and why it’s so hard
gainful employment and why it’s so hard to be a singer-songwriter an independent
to be a singer-songwriter an independent
to be a singer-songwriter an independent singer-songwriter who writes and sings
singer-songwriter who writes and sings
singer-songwriter who writes and sings in English in a country like India which
in English in a country like India which
in English in a country like India which is dominated by Bollywood music and
is dominated by Bollywood music and
is dominated by Bollywood music and music in at least 20 or 30 other
music in at least 20 or 30 other
music in at least 20 or 30 other languages it can be a real uphill task
languages it can be a real uphill task
languages it can be a real uphill task it can be a back-breaking thankless job
it can be a back-breaking thankless job
it can be a back-breaking thankless job but sometimes we have these little
but sometimes we have these little
but sometimes we have these little epiphanies we have what I call shorten
epiphanies we have what I call shorten
epiphanies we have what I call shorten the arm moments when all of a sudden
the arm moments when all of a sudden
the arm moments when all of a sudden someone comes out of the blue and says
someone comes out of the blue and says
someone comes out of the blue and says something like you know I really like
something like you know I really like
something like you know I really like the song that you wrote I really felt it
the song that you wrote I really felt it
the song that you wrote I really felt it it got me through a difficult time in my
it got me through a difficult time in my
it got me through a difficult time in my life
life
life and then sometimes doors open to
and then sometimes doors open to
and then sometimes doors open to opportunities like this where I can come
opportunities like this where I can come
opportunities like this where I can come and speak my mind about something and
and speak my mind about something and
and speak my mind about something and that’s pretty awesome and it makes up
that’s pretty awesome and it makes up
that’s pretty awesome and it makes up for all those days of being blue and
for all those days of being blue and
for all those days of being blue and consumed and self-doubt and being broken
consumed and self-doubt and being broken
consumed and self-doubt and being broken hopeless and it’s all worth it for these
hopeless and it’s all worth it for these
hopeless and it’s all worth it for these moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai
moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai
moments now I was I’m not from Mumbai I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with
I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with
I’m actually from Chennai I grew up with a very doting supportive family and a
a very doting supportive family and a
a very doting supportive family and a person that I really want to talk about
person that I really want to talk about
person that I really want to talk about today is my granddad so my granddad was
today is my granddad so my granddad was
today is my granddad so my granddad was the one who taught me the song I just
the one who taught me the song I just
the one who taught me the song I just plead you audio and he used to play the
plead you audio and he used to play the
plead you audio and he used to play the harmonica
harmonica
harmonica what’s popularly referred to as the
what’s popularly referred to as the
what’s popularly referred to as the mouth organ and when I grew up I would
mouth organ and when I grew up I would
mouth organ and when I grew up I would watch my granddad play that same song
watch my granddad play that same song
watch my granddad play that same song and many other old Indian folk tunes at
and many other old Indian folk tunes at
and many other old Indian folk tunes at family dinners and gatherings and I
family dinners and gatherings and I
family dinners and gatherings and I thought to myself I want to be like this
thought to myself I want to be like this
thought to myself I want to be like this guy I want to be an entity you know I
guy I want to be an entity you know I
guy I want to be an entity you know I want to play music and hold the
want to play music and hold the
want to play music and hold the attention of a crowd and make people
attention of a crowd and make people
attention of a crowd and make people happy and make them tap their feet and
happy and make them tap their feet and
happy and make them tap their feet and that’s what I want to do I want to be a
that’s what I want to do I want to be a
that’s what I want to do I want to be a musician and so when
musician and so when
musician and so when when the time came for me to actually
when the time came for me to actually
when the time came for me to actually take on music my granddad who had been
take on music my granddad who had been
take on music my granddad who had been my biggest critic all these years while
my biggest critic all these years while
my biggest critic all these years while I was growing up who would tell me
I was growing up who would tell me
I was growing up who would tell me things like oh you’re going off tune
things like oh you’re going off tune
things like oh you’re going off tune you’re going off tempo the end of the
you’re going off tempo the end of the
you’re going off tempo the end of the day he was my biggest fan but when it
day he was my biggest fan but when it
day he was my biggest fan but when it actually came down to me taking up music
actually came down to me taking up music
actually came down to me taking up music as a career even though everyone else
as a career even though everyone else
as a career even though everyone else was supportive of my decision my
was supportive of my decision my
was supportive of my decision my granddad thought I lost my mind I think
granddad thought I lost my mind I think
granddad thought I lost my mind I think he had a completely different idea of
he had a completely different idea of
he had a completely different idea of how he thought my career would and
how he thought my career would and
how he thought my career would and should pan out I think he thought I was
should pan out I think he thought I was
should pan out I think he thought I was going to go abroad do a master’s degree
going to go abroad do a master’s degree
going to go abroad do a master’s degree get a fancy high paying job and settle
get a fancy high paying job and settle
get a fancy high paying job and settle down and then put all that money that I
down and then put all that money that I
down and then put all that money that I make from my fancy corporate career into
make from my fancy corporate career into
make from my fancy corporate career into my music and do it as nothing more than
my music and do it as nothing more than
my music and do it as nothing more than just a hobby
just a hobby
just a hobby but when I decided to do music full-time
but when I decided to do music full-time
but when I decided to do music full-time he was quite disappointed and so was I
he was quite disappointed and so was I
he was quite disappointed and so was I seeing that the person that I looked up
seeing that the person that I looked up
seeing that the person that I looked up to my spirit guide my mentor for my
to my spirit guide my mentor for my
to my spirit guide my mentor for my childhood tell me that this might not be
childhood tell me that this might not be
childhood tell me that this might not be the right choice for me I was confused
the right choice for me I was confused
the right choice for me I was confused and sad and I had all these questions in
and sad and I had all these questions in
and sad and I had all these questions in my mind about why this was happening but
my mind about why this was happening but
my mind about why this was happening but I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I
I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I
I kept at it anyway I kept doing music I kept doing what I loved and then one day
kept doing what I loved and then one day
kept doing what I loved and then one day my grandma cured me some old photographs
my grandma cured me some old photographs
my grandma cured me some old photographs and among those old photographs was this
and among those old photographs was this
and among those old photographs was this one and in this photograph my granddad
one and in this photograph my granddad
one and in this photograph my granddad was probably not a day older than 21
was probably not a day older than 21
was probably not a day older than 21 years old and when I first saw this
years old and when I first saw this
years old and when I first saw this photograph the first thought I went
photograph the first thought I went
photograph the first thought I went through my mind is this isn’t my
through my mind is this isn’t my
through my mind is this isn’t my granddad this is a young musician just
granddad this is a young musician just
granddad this is a young musician just like me with passion in his eyes and all
like me with passion in his eyes and all
like me with passion in his eyes and all he wanted to do is play music and this
he wanted to do is play music and this
he wanted to do is play music and this quest this picture left me with more
quest this picture left me with more
quest this picture left me with more questions than answers and I and I was
questions than answers and I and I was
questions than answers and I and I was immediately transported back to the
immediately transported back to the
immediately transported back to the living room where my granddad would play
living room where my granddad would play
living room where my granddad would play and serenade us with music but now that
and serenade us with music but now that
and serenade us with music but now that he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are
he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are
he’s approaching 80 and his lungs are weak and he can’t play as well as he
weak and he can’t play as well as he
weak and he can’t play as well as he used to it made me sad that all I have
used to it made me sad that all I have
used to it made me sad that all I have to prove that my granddad was a musician
to prove that my granddad was a musician
to prove that my granddad was a musician was an old photograph like this I wish
was an old photograph like this I wish
was an old photograph like this I wish I’d done a better job of documenting him
I’d done a better job of documenting him
I’d done a better job of documenting him and so
and so
and so in that moment I took all these thoughts
in that moment I took all these thoughts
in that moment I took all these thoughts that were running through my mind and I
that were running through my mind and I
that were running through my mind and I wrote a song and that song was called
wrote a song and that song was called
wrote a song and that song was called play and as soon as I wrote that song I
play and as soon as I wrote that song I
play and as soon as I wrote that song I decided I was gonna make this song a
decided I was gonna make this song a
decided I was gonna make this song a project by which I would work with my
project by which I would work with my
project by which I would work with my granddad and physically get him to play
granddad and physically get him to play
granddad and physically get him to play the harmonica on the studio recording of
the harmonica on the studio recording of
the harmonica on the studio recording of the song and so in order to record my
the song and so in order to record my
the song and so in order to record my granddad playing the harmonica I had to
granddad playing the harmonica I had to
granddad playing the harmonica I had to go and meet him in our hometown in
go and meet him in our hometown in
go and meet him in our hometown in Kannur which is in Kerala and though my
Kannur which is in Kerala and though my
Kannur which is in Kerala and though my granddad was initially really shy and
granddad was initially really shy and
granddad was initially really shy and reluctant to do this I think towards the
reluctant to do this I think towards the
reluctant to do this I think towards the end he warmed up to the idea because he
end he warmed up to the idea because he
end he warmed up to the idea because he was really excited about the fact that
was really excited about the fact that
was really excited about the fact that we could spend time together or some
we could spend time together or some
we could spend time together or some quality time and he could show me around
quality time and he could show me around
quality time and he could show me around the town that he held very dear to his
the town that he held very dear to his
the town that he held very dear to his heart and tell me stories about his life
heart and tell me stories about his life
heart and tell me stories about his life and that’s exactly what we did so over
and that’s exactly what we did so over
and that’s exactly what we did so over cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil
cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil
cheese and jam sessions and coconut oil rich meals
rich meals
rich meals my granddad told me stories about his
my granddad told me stories about his
my granddad told me stories about his childhood and the eda that he came from
childhood and the eda that he came from
childhood and the eda that he came from he grew up at a time where options were
he grew up at a time where options were
he grew up at a time where options were limited but because options were limited
limited but because options were limited
limited but because options were limited people took nothing for granted he and I
people took nothing for granted he and I
people took nothing for granted he and I were the same age his life may have
were the same age his life may have
were the same age his life may have panned out completely differently he may
panned out completely differently he may
panned out completely differently he may have actually been able to have a
have actually been able to have a
have actually been able to have a successful career in music and that may
successful career in music and that may
successful career in music and that may have changed everything and so I
have changed everything and so I
have changed everything and so I explained to him that now we live in an
explained to him that now we live in an
explained to him that now we live in an Internet age and asked music makers have
Internet age and asked music makers have
Internet age and asked music makers have a direct relationship with the people
a direct relationship with the people
a direct relationship with the people who consume our music and that’s really
who consume our music and that’s really
who consume our music and that’s really been all the difference that we needed
been all the difference that we needed
been all the difference that we needed as musicians and even though I say that
as musicians and even though I say that
as musicians and even though I say that being an independent musician is hard
being an independent musician is hard
being an independent musician is hard this is probably the best we’ve ever had
this is probably the best we’ve ever had
this is probably the best we’ve ever had it because the Internet has really
it because the Internet has really
it because the Internet has really opened up the doors that have helped us
opened up the doors that have helped us
opened up the doors that have helped us facilitate this connection with the
facilitate this connection with the
facilitate this connection with the people who consume our music and though
people who consume our music and though
people who consume our music and though I mean I don’t have to tell you what
I mean I don’t have to tell you what
I mean I don’t have to tell you what music can do and what a powerful
music can do and what a powerful
music can do and what a powerful communication tool it is as a listener
communication tool it is as a listener
communication tool it is as a listener especially but I can tell you that as a
especially but I can tell you that as a
especially but I can tell you that as a songwriter writing a song helps you put
songwriter writing a song helps you put
songwriter writing a song helps you put so many things in perspective in your
so many things in perspective in your
so many things in perspective in your mind it helps you get closure from
mind it helps you get closure from
mind it helps you get closure from things that you just can’t understand
things that you just can’t understand
things that you just can’t understand about yourself or external so
about yourself or external so
about yourself or external so stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to
stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to
stances it helps it’s a cathartic way to like get a message across and sometimes
like get a message across and sometimes
like get a message across and sometimes all you need is a little bit of self
all you need is a little bit of self
all you need is a little bit of self fulfillment and songwriting has given me
fulfillment and songwriting has given me
fulfillment and songwriting has given me that sense of purpose so even though to
that sense of purpose so even though to
that sense of purpose so even though to the rest the world this song might seem
the rest the world this song might seem
the rest the world this song might seem like just a three-minute song to me was
like just a three-minute song to me was
like just a three-minute song to me was an entire journey to me the song had
an entire journey to me the song had
an entire journey to me the song had been in the making my entire life and it
been in the making my entire life and it
been in the making my entire life and it took just looking at an old photograph
took just looking at an old photograph
took just looking at an old photograph for all those memories to rush back in
for all those memories to rush back in
for all those memories to rush back in and help me write this song so ladies
and help me write this song so ladies
and help me write this song so ladies and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this
and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this
and gentlemen I’m gonna play you this song it’s called play
[Music]
[Music] the evenings laughter is reached enough
the evenings laughter is reached enough
the evenings laughter is reached enough you find yourself trapped in a web rapt
you find yourself trapped in a web rapt
you find yourself trapped in a web rapt attention requests for songs wring out
attention requests for songs wring out
attention requests for songs wring out the same old tunes demanded convention
the same old tunes demanded convention
the same old tunes demanded convention you shy away but not for long they all
you shy away but not for long they all
you shy away but not for long they all begin to sing the songs you know to play
begin to sing the songs you know to play
begin to sing the songs you know to play tunes from yesterday you yield to
tunes from yesterday you yield to
tunes from yesterday you yield to pressure from the crowd you try but you
pressure from the crowd you try but you
pressure from the crowd you try but you can’t play out loud your lungs they seem
can’t play out loud your lungs they seem
can’t play out loud your lungs they seem to distil they you but please find the
to distil they you but please find the
to distil they you but please find the strength to play us just one
we love to hear you these songs that we
we love to hear you these songs that we heard so long before we love to hear you
heard so long before we love to hear you
heard so long before we love to hear you play you face turns red you sip your
play you face turns red you sip your
play you face turns red you sip your drink for a moment start to think about
drink for a moment start to think about
drink for a moment start to think about the times it all came easy the worn out
the times it all came easy the worn out
the times it all came easy the worn out stages you once played the lifelong
stages you once played the lifelong
stages you once played the lifelong friends you thought you made this times
friends you thought you made this times
friends you thought you made this times are crazy the songs that you don’t
are crazy the songs that you don’t
are crazy the songs that you don’t recognize
recognize
recognize lighten up your children’s eyes will
lighten up your children’s eyes will
lighten up your children’s eyes will soon appear to be
soon appear to be
soon appear to be me times like this when you would play
me times like this when you would play
me times like this when you would play our favorite songs from yesterday so
our favorite songs from yesterday so
our favorite songs from yesterday so once again can we just
he’s by the strength to play us just one
he’s by the strength to play us just one we love to hear you these songs and we
we love to hear you these songs and we
we love to hear you these songs and we heard so long before we love to hear you
so I just like to conclude by saying
so I just like to conclude by saying that I think one of the most beautiful
that I think one of the most beautiful
that I think one of the most beautiful things about writing and pulling out
things about writing and pulling out
things about writing and pulling out songs into the universe is that
songs into the universe is that
songs into the universe is that something as simple as a feeling that
something as simple as a feeling that
something as simple as a feeling that you wrote about in the comfort of your
you wrote about in the comfort of your
you wrote about in the comfort of your bedroom could be drawn into a
bedroom could be drawn into a
bedroom could be drawn into a combination of lyrics and melody and can
combination of lyrics and melody and can
combination of lyrics and melody and can be released into the universe and can
be released into the universe and can
be released into the universe and can exist as a snapshot of your state of
exist as a snapshot of your state of
exist as a snapshot of your state of mind for the rest of eternity and it can
mind for the rest of eternity and it can
mind for the rest of eternity and it can outlive you and I think that’s a pretty
outlive you and I think that’s a pretty
outlive you and I think that’s a pretty amazing thing and that’s what I love
amazing thing and that’s what I love
amazing thing and that’s what I love about being a songwriter thank you so
about being a songwriter thank you so
about being a songwriter thank you so much
much
much [Applause]
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