Sahil Samuel belongs from a typical Indian middle-class family who considers that only a secured job can give you peace in life. After the 12th standard, he chose to follow his dreams and go against his parent’s will to pursue music as his career. He thought seriously about music when he was in the second standard. He has gone through a lot of ups and downs and sacrificed some major things just because he wanted to do something on his own and make his name here. He started sharing his songs and videos and someone from a club saw his video and a friend of his recommended his name. That is how he got my first club gig.
Later he formed his own band for a few months and then got an offer from a very renowned band. Towards the end of 2015, he formed Naalayak and right now he considers this project as his journey. As he says, ” This life is not at all a bed of roses and you’ll be extremely anxious or depressed sometimes and once you get into this field you have to work it out and never try to give up. It may seem easy but you shouldn’t ever give up.”
Here is Sahil Samuel in a conversation with GOGO Magazine.
1) When did your journey as a musician begin?
My initial interest began when I was in my 2nd standard. I realized then that music is what I want to do. And so, in 2014 I started sharing the songs and videos that I wrote and I was noticed by someone and thus got my first club gig. Earlier, I was in a band known as Swastikas their vocalist, then there was Sahil Samuel Project after I left that band and eventually Naalayak was formed.
2) Which was your first song?
The first song that I wrote was in 2009 while I was doing my 11th studies. However the song has not been released yet. Sawaan was the second song that I wrote in 2013 and was released on 2016 with Naalayak. The link to the song has been shared below.
3) Which has been your most memorable live performance?
All performances have been great so far but in 2020, 14th February, Assam Engineering College, I personally felt was the best for me till now. My mind was electrified and I was going Freddie Mercury all the way on stage( haha) because that is what I love to do the most. After I got into an unfortunate accident in 2019, I was on bed rest for a really long time and perhaps that energy being cooped up finally got awaken while I was on the stage. Why lie, but it gave me an exhilarating mystical experience.
4) Who has been your inspiration?
I grew up listening to various types of artists, but I often find myself attached to Lucky Ali, Atif Aslam and the endearing Freddie Mercury, Axel Rose and Robert Plant. As it is found to be awesome and exciting to be an artist so also it is nerve-wracking to be one. And therefore, I try to rely on my own self and be an individual rather than be a second so and so.
5) Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Visualizing Naalayak in five years would be to release multiple albums and be on a world tour. Being an Indian artist, the vision of Naalayak is to broaden our appreciating listeners worldwide.
6) Which is your most preferred genre?
There is no specific or particular type of songs I listen to. I am a versatile listener and so being such kind of an artist gives me room to enhance, grow and communicate with flourishing results.
7) Tell us about your latest track.
Our latest album released was ‘Hindi Gaane’ and we were suppose to be on our tour but as everyone knows, the year 2020 happened. Moreover, just as those struggling because of the pandemic, we could not completely release our worked out songs due to financial crisis. However so, the four songs released from the album are: “Dil-Ae-Raza,Mustafa, Befikre and Nasamajh.” Link to the songs has been clipped here:
8) Tell us about the Nalayak Band.
Naalayak is a Delhi/Chandigarh Hindi rock band that was founded in 2015. The band comprises four individuals, Sahil Samuel – the lead vocalist and the frontman, Akshatt Kakkar- the lead guitarist, Ashish Kalanta – bass guitarist, and the drummer- Garry Singh Arora.
9) How was life in quarantine?
Truth be told, quarantine life has not been easy. There were times when I was mentally disturbed and was gloom ridden. Nevertheless, the bleak moment did not last long. I was able to make many compositions and felt productive. Hitherto, I am pleased with the course of action and events that have taken place. And I hope that everyone will turn out to find their true self and work on it during such a time as this.
FOLLOW HIS JOURNEY
INSTAGRAM: @sahilsamuel_
NAALAYAK BAND
INSTAGRAM: @naalayak_
YOUTUBE: Naalayak
Checkout more such content at: https://gogomagazine.in/category/magazine/music/
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