Born in a small village in Kashmir, India and raised in a Sikh family, Saby Singh derives his roots from traditional and classical art. Trained in Hindustani Shastirya Sangeet and Western Classical, he keeps his songwriting simple and story-telling his focus. His songs have been described as minimal, emotionally moving and traditionally unconventional. Saby writes about existentialism, quarter-life and identity crisis.
His unorthodox use of acoustic guitar and a free-flowing playing gives him his distinct sonic atmosphere. He uses a lot of poetic devices to submerge the listener into his performances. The lyrics are very open-ended, therefore, varied interpretations arise. Saby is set to release his debut album ‘Yahaan’ which is his quintessential project since it summarises his life as a creative and he believes that ‘Yahaan’ is his reincarnation.BiographyBorn in a small village in Kashmir, India and raised in a Sikh family, Saby Singh derives his roots from traditional and classical art. Trained in Hindustani Shastirya Sangeet and Western Classical, he keeps his songwriting simple and story-telling his focus.
His songs have been described as minimal, emotionally moving and traditionally unconventional. Saby writes about existentialism, quarter-life and identity crisis. His unorthodox use of acoustic guitar and a free-flowing playing gives him his distinct sonic atmosphere. He uses a lot of poetic devices to submerge the listener into his performances. The lyrics are very open-ended, therefore, varied interpretations arise. Saby is set to release his debut album ‘Yahaan’ which is his quintessential project since it summarises his life as a creative and he believes that ‘Yahaan’ is his reincarnation.
Here is Saby Singh in a conversation with GOGO Magazine.
1) When did your journey as a musician begin?
It began as early as it could. I have always been surrounded by musicians, my mother is an exceptional singer, my grandfather, being a professional Raagi and an artist, taught me all that I needed to know about Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet and music in itself; Also being a Sikh, Gurbani Kirtan is always an integral part of our daily lives. Thus I was always destined to be a musician. And in 2016 I finally decided to practice music as a way of living – professionally, to put it in conventional terms.
2) Which was your first song?
I don’t remember my first song as I have been releasing music in one form or another for 15 years now, but in my professional career, I released ‘Asma’ as my debut single.
3) Which has been your most memorable live performance?
It was during the Hai Khabar Tour. We played 25 odd gigs in a matter of 45 days and travelled the entire country. It was a phase I would cherish for the rest of my life. The pressure, the sleeplessness, the joy and the artistic satisfaction turned my life around.
4) How do you manage investment for your music productions?
Usually I do it all by myself – production and post-production. But for my debut album, I saved for quite a while to be able to afford professionals. If you are smart about your financial choices it is quite a comfortable life being an independent artist.
5) Who has been your inspiration?
Life in itself. I observe everything around me and there is such joy and inspiration in the minuscule of things that we often overlook. I am grateful that I can give myself all the time that I need to. I spend entire nights stargazing, take painfully long walks, get into directors and binge-watch, study their works, listen to all kinds of artists, understand their perceptions, talk to different people, listen to their stories, life is amazing when you know your priorities – when your pledge of obedience is for you!
6) What is the creative process like behind your work?
Freedom. I allow myself to be who I am. I never judge my work or categorize it if it is good or bad. I just give myself the space to fail and I think it is where it all starts coming out. I never come with an agenda, it takes all the joy out of being an artist. The essence is freedom and everything else is just a consequence. I have always believed that a song, a painting, or a book is just a side-effect of your expression. Focussing on the work itself renders it plastic. And I have freed myself of this notion. I express, and the song is just a convention.
7) Tell us about your latest track. What was the inspiration behind it?
I released Yaad Hai recently. It is a very old song though, written 4-5 years back and produced it this year itself. It is a very interesting song, because it doesn’t have any chorus as such. And for years I would struggle with trying to compose one for it, but one day while listening to a rough recording on phone, it dawned on me that the song was complete as it is and needed no further assistance. It was such artistic relief; that no matter how hard you try, you cannot force direct a song without compromising the feel of it.
YouTube – https://youtu.be/c-KyuvBuo5A
8) Which is your most preferred genre?
I listen to everything. There is no preference whatsoever. Right now I am into South Indian Music, although I don’t understand a single word but the music is phenomenal! But I listen to everything from Megadeath to Tom Misch, Lata Ji to Sinatra. For me music has no categories, genres are stupid.
9) How was life in quarantine?
I was super comfortable with the lockdown, the air was getting cleaner, no traffic, finally could listen to birds and feel the stillness. It was beautiful. Being home, this was the first time in a long time that I connected with Maa at such a human level, fell in love with her all over again!
Later it started getting to me, and writing music became a refuge. I dedicated myself to writing and I ended up with my best work so far.
I also started reading, have never read at such a level before. Overall, it has been incredible. To put it in simple words – I have rediscovered myself!
TUNE INTO HIS MUSIC CHANNELS
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1NuVCc6gckyOSXHRCultBQ
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/1x5HhJi3MewNHOnMtxrilJ?autoplay=true
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