After years of exile from music Nikhil Gangavane is back with a line-up of new songs to be released internationally in upcoming months. We spoke to him about his comeback.
Q: Why did you disappear from music scene for so many years?
Ans: There were some personal issues on hand. Also, I was busy doing background scores for some internationally acclaimed documentaries. True to the fact idolizing Michael Jackson, I was unable to get out of the “Michael Jackson performer” image as my concerts were mostly concentrated on his performances. I had to get myself out of my idol’s image and carve out my individual style. Surely, this long break was not needed but then probably it was fate. Now, I am back with a refreshed mind and great music to make people listen and enjoy!
Q: Is it not that “The Michael Jackson Anthem” gave you first taste of success?
Ans: Well, Michael Jackson was the reason for many of my successes and not only this first one. I could meet top honchos of music labels from India because of him. He and his management provided an incredible support and insights about the music industry. In spite of all these things, I am not even one percent close to what he was or still is… but I am happy I could pull off so many successful Michael Jackson performances over the years.
Q: Did you approach Indian music labels for your music?
Ans: Yes. I met top people in Music Industry with my music, but I felt my voice wasn’t mature enough back then. An owner of one of the top music labels in India offered to buy each of my songs for 20 thousand rupees back then but condition being that I am not to lend my voice for my own songs nor will I get any credit as a composer. I declined it!!!
Q: Are you back because you believe you can create a sensation in music scene now?
Ans: No, I don’t think so. I don’t know where I stand but I am definitely better than many successful singers who are famous because of good marketing or heavy studio editing on their voice. Over a period of time I realized that the success of music is dependent on its marketing more than the music. There are masterpieces out there known to none because they were never rightly marketed. I am here because I simply want my music out. People are free to love it or hate it. I don’t need to beg to a music label to sign me up or promote me anymore. The world has changed now and so has the music industry.
Q: What happened to your own music label that you started and owned?
Ans. Yes…… I had a music label for years which I ran just for securing copyrights of my own music. Without finance and the right people actively working in the company it was nothing but a failure. It was like a waste of money and I was spending on its taxes, etc. I finally decided to close it down and do things individually.
Q: Tell us about your next releases.
Ans: I am planning to release a song or two every month. Initially the songs will only be in English. I will release my hindi songs at the right time. About my background scores and instrumentals, I might release it directly or collaborate with the right people for the same. As of now, I will release my compositions in my own voice which I made over the years and thereafter compose new music. I am not going to change the sound of my music to time it with today’s sound. If my music sounds like 90s, so be it. Let my music speak for itself. I don’t like the idea of changing what has come to me from divine source. I feel that the market is open to all sorts of music but the current music Moghuls trends leave lot to be desired.
Q: Tell us about the Michael Jackson anthem and the subsequent release.
Ans. The Michael Jackson Anthem was released long before during the Michael Jackson trial. It was like free to air. Because of its purpose and the name Michael Jackson attached to it, it had millions of downloads. I thought that it was good to resurrect my music career with this first commercial release as a tribute to my idol. I wouldn’t be here without him. My next release is titled “Back to You”, a song of revenge… about giving it back to someone who has been bad to you. A feeling everyone can relate to at a certain point in their lives.
Q: Are you going to continue with your photography?
Ans. I love photography. It was my hobby once upon a time. But it became a profession by accident because I started winning awards followed by monetary success. I was also a top contributor from India in international stock photography few years ago. I will continue doing photography as it is my passion and bread earner. Maybe I will switch to videography or direction in due course but no concrete plans as of now. Sometimes accidents are beautiful like professional photography which happened to me and on soft note, would term myself as an accidental photographer.
Q: Wait! Top contributor in photography?
Ans. Oh yes! I have sold over a lakh images in last 14 years in the RF stock photography market. I have thousands of images online in multiple international agencies. I am also listed as a top photographer on google maps with more than 45 million views for my images.
Q. Great. Wish you all the success for your music and photography ventures
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