RADIO SARGAM INTERVIEW: JOSH!

The music duo Josh have truly exploded onto the music scene! The band consists of Rupinder Magon and Qurram Hussain. Their latest album Kabhi has become a chart topper throughout the world and the future looks bright - with a MTV Music Award nomination and a Bollywood soundtrack on the way. Radio Sargam decided it was time to catch up with the lads and find out more...

What aspired you to become singers?
Q:  Singing was something that just came as a result of doing music I guess. I was always more interested in doing music, and still am actually. So at one point I realized that I'm going to have to sing my music too, so I started singing! I used to sing in school and stuff, but it’s all based on the gift from god. Neither of us has taken any lessons as such.

Rup: I can't really tell you where the desire to be surrounded by music came from, but I can certainly say that everything about it is inspirational to me.  Some of my all-time favourite singers are Michael Jackson, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, HariHaran and so many more.

How have your families supported you through this choice of career?

Q:  They're been really good actually. Its not everyday that desi parents hear that their kid wants to go in music, so considering that, they just laid some rules that read that as long as you do your school and stuff, you can do music. And that was enough I guess, cause I did finish my Engineering, and was doing music at the same time.

Rup: It was tough at the beginning - to convince them that we were going to be musicians - they really pushed me to finish up my studies, which is something, I really appreciated.  Now the support grows everyday.

Tell me a little about the formation of your band; how you guys came together, what brought you together...

Q:  I'll let Rup answer that one.

Rup: Ahhhhh, the "how did u get together" question.  God knows how many times our poor fans have to read this answer.  To make it short and sweet, we met about 10 years ago for music-related reasons and become close friends ever since.  Josh was already formed before Q joined.  There came a point where we were in desperate need for a keyboardist, and Q just fit the bill perfectly.  Since then, we've been making music together – and here we are.

But what keeps you together and what do you hope to achieve?

Q:  I think we give each other good space to operate, and that is the most important thing. I take care of the music, while Rup handles the business. We will of course talk about everything together, but since we have more defined roles, we don’t overstep. As far as the future goes, we just hope to be doing something we love. Today its music, and probably will stay that way. But you never know, tomorrow it may be another art form. I think it will stay in arts that’s for sure.

Rup: I think its our common vision and goals that are key.  We are both very keen in advancing in all areas of the music industry as well as making more records for our fans.

If you could sing with any one singer, dead or alive, for a duet, who would that be, and reasons?

Q:  I'd love to do a song with George Michael. I think his melodies are great, and his music is just amazing. So tasteful and appropriate. He never tries too hard. Just hard enough to make it his own.

Rup: I'd love to sit in the Qawaali party with Nusrat Fateh for a show - Gosh, that'd be such a trip!!!

You're composing music for an Indian flick, can you give us the Low-down on that.... Will you be singing in the flick?

Q:  Yes, the movie is called "Its a Mismatch" starring Anupam Kher and many other great actors. It’s a hinglish film, and the producers wanted young energy on the soundtrack. So they approached us and we talked about it. We all clicked so well, we ended up working together, and the music is coming out really well. They've finished shooting, so I think it will be out around Feb. And yes, our voices are on the soundtrack. We may change some stuff, but lets see.

Rup: Ya man, its a film made out of California called, "Its' a Mismatch" starring Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Nandana Sen, and introducing Anu Anand - he's a new upcoming kickass actor.  We've composed the entire soundtrack as well as the score for the film.  It's been a really cool project to work with great people and we look forward to the release.

Any further projects Bollywood wise...

Q:  Yeh, we're talking to producers for our next projects. Nothing concrete yet, but you'll hear good things soon!

Rup: Well this film is a Bollywood film.  As well we've recently shot our third video from the album, "kabhi".  We shot the video to JOSH NAAL (pao Bhangra) and it has been selected to be on the Original Soundtrack (OST) for a movie called, "You, Bomsi, and Me" - the video and promos should be airing very soon.

Your were nominated for an MTV India award! Was that expected?

Q:  We were hoping for it, I can tell you that much, but getting the Nomination was great. It’s enough to let us know that we're doing something right. Even though we travel to the east quite often, its hard to us to gauge the crowds there so these kinds of things tell us that we're on the right track, and that the fans like what they hear.

Rup: Wow - this was a HUGE surprise to us.  Considering how many amazing artists were released this year, to be nominated amongst them and up for a prestigious MTV award is a big thing for us.  To be quite honest, more than the award, we're looking for to performing at the show, it’s going to be crazy.

If you do win the award, where will that win take the group?

Q:  Well, we'll just keep doing what we do, which is make music that we love, but it will definitely fill us with renewed energy! We'll return to Montreal ready to hit the studio in a big way. We've started working on the next album; so don’t be surprised to hear some pumping beats in the album!

Rup:  Oh God knows... but it'll definitely look nice up in the studio

Where do you think Asian music going? Its already hit the mainstream - is there another level?

Q:  It has hit the mainstream, but it’s going to hit it even more. It’s more of the influence than anything else really. Its not about hearing tablas and dholkis everywhere, its more about hearing a vibe in the song, or hearing a slight influence in the melody itself. So we're going to hear a lot of good creative stuff happening, you'll see. I'm sure Radio Sargam will stay on top of all developments!

Rup: Well it’s definitely hit the mainstream - but only as a fad. It hasn't taken any stronghold of the industry.  I hope that the next level can be Asian artists with albums in the mainstream WITHOUT needing the star power of other established artists.  There's nothing wrong w/ that, but hopefully the next step will be that - Self-sufficient desi artists in mainstream.

JoSh Nominated for a MTV India Music Award! Help by voting for JoSh in the "Best New Non-Film Talent" Category (Vote) And on click, the website is http://www.mtvindia.com/immies/04/

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY RADIO SARGAM