A break with Kee!

We caught up with the next lady in line to take the music industry by storm… Kee

DESIMAG: When did you start singing?

Kee: I started singing in my early teens but professionally I would say it’s been just over a year now. I am still getting to know the industry.

DESIMAG: Tell us a bit more about you’re music, you’re known as the first Hindi pop rock artist to hit the UK, who is your main influences?

Kee: I would describe my music as being very fresh and current. Fusing Hindi with pop/rock and a big dose of British attitude! To name a few, my main influences are legends like Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, and more recent artists like Atif Aslam and Himesh Reshammiya.

DESIMAG: How did you get involved in the music scene?

Kee: My friends and family always encouraged me to take it further. But it wasn’t until I wrote my first song and realised I actually had potential. I then took vocal training and continued writing. It isn’t a straight road and you do meet some false people along the way who waste your time. But you learn and move on, now I can filter them out quite easily. Facebook is an amazing networking tool.

 I have met so many decent people from the music industry on there who are now very close friends of mine. One being my manager Rani Joshi, we instantly connected and are now part of Royal Music Management.

DESIMAG: Your single ‘Baby baby’ produced by Brass tax, tell us more?

Kee: Brass Tax is another good friend of mine and I have appreciated his music for a long time. He is also a hip-hop artist and his productions are very hard hitting. It was more of an experiment to see how we could combine the two styles and we ended up with a cocktail of futuristic sounds merged with creamy vocals.

 The song is written by myself and it’s about a man who is about to leave his girl for good. How love can just disappear. It’s all based on one scene capturing the kind of conversations that would take place in that situation.

DESIMAG: What is your full name and where are you from?

Kee: My full name is Kiran Dass and I am from Coventry, which is in the West Midlands.

DESIMAG: Who is your biggest inspiration? And who is your favourite singer and why?

Kee: My biggest inspiration and favourite singer all in one is Asha Bhosle. Do I need to explain further? But really Asha ji has the sweetest voice ever and still sounds sweet as ever.

DESIMAG: Have you performed outside the UK, If so where?

Kee: I haven’t as of yet, I’ve been mainly working on my album and performing around the UK, but I do hope to perform abroad in the near future.

DESIMAG: Has your life changed since you have become a singer? & what is life really like for a singer?

Kee: Yes, definitely! I have a 9-5 job, and life as an artist is a 24/7 job! So you can imagine I’m a very busy girl, but I prefer it that way otherwise I would get bored easily. You don’t really get time to see your friends and socialise the way you used to, but on the other hand I am meeting new people every-day. I find I can never switch off from being an artist. I have the passion and drive to succeed and failure is not an option for me. So far I have had very positive feedback and am looking forward to the journey ahead. As with everything you get your highs and lows but bottom line I love it!

DESIMAG: Which Artist’s would you like to work with in the future?

Kee: I would love to work with Atif Aslam, Jannat (group), Raghav and Taz (Stereo Nation).

DESIMAG: How do your lyrics reflect on your life, is there a deeper meaning/ message behind them?

Kee: The lyrics of every song are based on experience, however not necessarily just mine. I watch & experience other people’s lives around me and then reflect them in my music. I can actually put myself in their situation and imagine how I would feel in that moment of time. It’s really strange it’s almost like acting. I have also co-written with other people on some of my songs, so the lyrics are based on their experiences as well.

DESIMAG: What is your level of education? Do you consider education to be important in life and music?

Kee: I started working as soon as I left college. Luckily for me I progressed well and have a fantastic job now, but I could have got there a lot sooner had I continued my education. I think it is very important, and to be successful in anything you do you need a good head on your shoulders. After-all music is a business too.

DESIMAG: Where do you see your career as a singer in next 5 years?

Kee: Hopefully as a successful and well established artist who is still around.

DESIMAG: For a female vocalist you’re the first Hindi, Rock fusion in the UK how did this come about?

Kee: I am absolutely crazy about Hindi music and the way India and Pakistan have created this fusion with rock just blew me away, I just had bring it to the UK! Born and raised in the UK, I have always been surrounded by Bhangra and you’re odd Hindi singer. I wanted to bring something new to the UK Music Industry, and here I am!

DESIMAG: Are you single?

Kee: Yes! Unfortunately it is hard to commit to a relationship when you are married to music, but you never know I just haven’t met ‘the one’ yet.

DESIMAG: Do you take part in charity/ fund raising events?

Kee: Yes.

DESIMAG: Is your voice professionally trained & does singing come to you naturally?

Kee: I have been professionally trained and continue to exercise my voice regularly. Yes singing does come naturally; you can’t just decide one morning that you want to become a singer. Having the basics is great, but then you have to nurture what you have been given and try perfecting it. There is always room for improvement!

DESIMAG: What is your perspective of life?

Kee: Life is what YOU make of it! Stay humble and true to one another and good things will happen!

DESIMAG: Could you tell your fans & desimag.co.uk readers what your all time favourite song is?

Kee: My all time favourite song is ‘Kabhi Kabhi’. I must have driven my friends and family mad singing that all the time. I love the version Bally Sagoo did too!

DESIMAG: What is your biggest achievement to date?

Kee: My song ‘Tere Bina’ with Singer/Songwriter/Producer ARJUN was selected as one of the ‘top 5 love songs’ in 2008 with CLUBASIA!

DESIMAG: What do you fear the most?

Kee:  The thought of not being able to sing! I dread catching a cold/flu as it always hits my throat first!

DESIMAG: Name 5 things you consider to be your biggest strength?

Kee: My supporting family & friends, management, my voice, being able to create melodies and write songs!

DESIMAG: Name 5 of your weaknesses’ –

Kee: Music! Chocolate! Shoes! Nandos and Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice-cream!

DESIMAG: What is your star sign?

Kee: Aries, yes so don’t mess! (LAUGHS)

DESIMAG: Last but not least could you give a big shout out to all your fans, well wishers and desimag.co.uk readers. Is there anything you would like to tell them?

Kee: I would just like to say a big thank you to DESIMAG for the support and interest you have expressed in me. A big shout out to all my supporters and well wishers! Look out for me I will be making my way around the UK performing exclusive tracks from my Debut album due for release late 2009! Appreciate all the love and support!

Love Kee xx

www.myspace.com/keemusicpage

Watch Kee’s Video Diary One!

Watch Kee’s Video Diary Number Two!

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