Q&A With Kanda
1. What skills have you learned that will help you in your singing career?
I think my career in music has helped me to improve on my perseverance skills but also my openness to advice. This industry is a very tough one to crack, so gaining all of the help that you can is the key to moving forward. Also, I have learnt recently that consistency is key in this world, keeping your name relevant with radios, blogs and other media.
2. What made you decide to pursue a career in entertainment?
My passion for music originates from the musical talent of my mother, and the hardworking, ambitious attitude of my father. My mother had a deep background within the entertainment industry on multiple levels, from Indian traditional dancing to the art of music. I think her musical desire was passed onto me and now I am determined as ever to make my name known worldwide. The support around me also plays a big part in my thrive to continuing music.
3. What kind of singer would you classify yourself as?
Many people ask me this, and I think I am a very versatile singer, my genres can intertwine and change between each record. However, maturing as a singer, I have begun to utilise the unique grit in my voice to become a ‘groovy soul’ singer.
4. What has been the best performance of your career so far?
In terms of sentimental value, not many performances will top the Open Mic UK Final held at the o2 arena in London. It was a surreal feeling travelling with fellow family and friends to perform in front of a massive crowd in such a notorious venue.
5.What first got you into music/singing?
My music teacher had heard me sing when I was seven years old, and from that moment I was the ‘school singer’. Annually, we would perform in a class band, carrying on through to secondary school. My family started my passion for music, but my music mentor undoubtedly solidified it.
6.Who inspired you to become a singer?
I have had various inspirations throughout my years, ranging from Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran, to the urban scene and J Hus. Currently, I am looking at the musical icons such as James Brown and Ray Charles alongside Rag’n’Bone Man to craft my unique style.
7.How would you describe the song’s that you typically create?
I make many slings either about my personal experiences or political problems in the world. Historically, I have focused on prevailing issues such as men’s mental health and racism. I would love to be part of a societal change, to bring more awareness and positivity into the world.
8.What is your creative process like?
I sit down for hours just writing down topics I can sing about and one-liners. This helps when I then get into a studio, and is one of the reasons I can create a song in less than an hour. Writing has always been a strength of mine, I love scribbling down any feelings and emotions I feel at certain times to them reflect upon them and craft a song.
9.Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would love to engage both the mainstream and Asian markets. On the mainstream side, I am a massive fan of YG Marley’s sound and I feel like we would make such a unique vibe together. On the Asian front, I would love to work with AP Dhillon as he had a very new sound and an English-Panjabi collaboration would be elite!
10..If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
I think if I opened a show for an artist, Rag’n’Bone Man would be up there, solely for the reason that our sounds are quite similar and I think his audience would appreciate the familiarity between our voices.
11.What is one message you would give to your fans?
Never forget the name KANDA, keep streaming the songs, watching the videos, coming to the gigs, I love all of you that support me – let’s make some more noise this year!!
12.What is the most useless talent you have?
I can roll my r’s hahaha! To be fair, sometimes I actually do that in the ad libs of some of my songs so it can’t be that useless!
13.Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
I do, I love singing songs from before I was born, I sing a lot of Queen and ABBA haha!
14.What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Probably focusing all of my attention on my university studies. Right now, I study advertising in university, so I probably would’ve gone down the marketing route.
15.How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I think it’s a gift and a curse. It’s great that the internet has given artists more visibility and a chance to be seen by wider audiences, but I do have to say it brings a lot more visible competition, meaning incredible talent sometimes doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
16.What is your favourite song to perform?
Definitely one of my unreleased songs called ‘waterfalls.’ it’s such a funky vibe and it suits my vocal range perfectly, and it gets me dancing which gets the audience dancing!
17. Which famous musicians do you admire?
I admire many famous artists, but recently my favourites consist of ENNY, Tyla and Jorja Smirh, all incredible in their own styles.
18.What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I smashed a TV once, this is why you stop playing FIFA hahahaha! One day I came back home from school and I lost a game in the 90th minute and just threw a right handed jab at my tv. My parents didn’t find out until that night, and all I can say is that I won’t be breaking anymore screens intentionally!
19.What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve received is to take every opportunity that comes my way, no matter how big or insignificant it may seem. Also, I’ve learned that patience is very key to succeeding in this industry, and you have to stay optimistic and perseverant.
20. If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would enhance the chances that the youth get, in terms of radio time and performances. I would also like to see a lot more intertwining of genres in order to create new sounds and continue the evolution of music.
21. What’s next for you?
Many gigs, many songs, many performances and plenty of good vibes! Thank you for having me featuring, and stay tuned for more of KANDA!
