By Ruby Bukhari
KEE (aka KiranDass) is Hindi/Punjabi singer from Coventry, UK that has grabbed the Asian community by the ears. The young Asian singer has been only singing since 2008, yet achieved a nomination in 2011 at the Brit Asia music award for the best female act. Though having not released a debut album thus far, her singles are ranking on the charts in the top 5. The single Jaanemaan by Raxstar which she featured in gained over a million views on YouTube alone last year.
Has music always been in your life?
Yes, I actually come from quite a musical family, so I grew up in that environment. Some of my cousins are in the music industry aswell. I’m quite thankful that I had people like that around me;they’re people who influence me.
You could have picked any career, when and why didyou decide to be a singer?
When I first started writing, I got really good feedback from my family and friends. When I wrote my first song that was when I was like OK… they’re really supporting me and wanted me to push forward which made me think ok let me try it. After which I got training in singing as well, I got it done properly. I just had that push from the family to give it a go. It wasn’t until I put a demo up, back on days when we used Myspace and it got picked up from there. From there it just snowballed.
Though coming from a family with singers such as Vee and Hunterz she has created her own name. Because you had family in the music business did they have any expectation, goals that you had to achieve?
Not really, I don’t think they knew to what level I’d take it. I remember I used to just walk into their rehearsals and things like that. I used to eavesdrop… Up until now my cousin, who used to be a band called XLNC, he’s stilldoing music though. He’s never told me that I’m really good, he’ll always tell me’ no, you could have done better’. Like when I have performed at family functions, ‘I’ll be like how did I do? How did I do?’ He’ll say ‘oh, you were alright.’ So he keeps me really grounded.
Your big break came in2008, it was supporting Arjun how did you find that?
It was really scary, that was my first performance but people took it really well. I really liked performing that. Because I knew Arjun, we were part of the same management at the time it made it less scary. My confidence definitely grew from there.
How did you find the success of TereBina?
Wow, Terebina is going back now. That was actually the first song that was played on radio; it was picked up on Myspace. It was such an incredible feeling to hear my voice on the radio, the first time I was shouting, running round the house telling everyone to tune into the radio. I’ll never forget that time, I can actually remember I was talking to someone on the phone when it came on and I said ‘I’m sorry I’ve got to go, I have to call you back later. My song is on the radio!’
Not many artists write their own songs anymore, the first song on your youtube channel is Rishtey. It’s a very beautiful and emotional song. What was the feeling/message behind writing it?
A lot of my songs I try to write by myself; I use my personal and other peoples experiences. But that particular song was written about my mother who passed away two years ago. It was like…I didn’t know to feel, I was really confused and closed up. The only way I could relate to the world was through music. I just wrote everything I felt, lucky I had Arjun and Charles Bosco who put the music together for me. It was just perfect, it was well done. I’m really grateful I had people like that around me who supported me at that time. Some songs you just put out there but that song actually means something to me.
Your lyrics are full of passion and emotion, how long does it take you to write a typical song?
I think it depends on what frame of mind I’m in, that particular song I wrote within an hour. Emotions were just running and it was just flowing. It really does depend. Sometimes producers send you a beat like with the Jaaneman song Soni sent me the music, instantly I wanted to do my version, I started writing my own song. So I guess if you have that connection with the music it doesn’t take so long.
Through your songs such as It’s over and on interviews like Ghupshup you promote female empowerment, do you feel it’s important to be a role model for the younger generation?
Yes definitely, so many younger girls especially those who want to come into the scene too, they look up to you or other females in the industry. I’m really thankful people actually give me that honour. Lots of girl’s inbox me and they want advice about things, I always here to help and I’d like to encourage other people to come forward aswell.
So what advice would you give to someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps?
I would just say that train hard and if you’re really serious make sure you get the right training, there are a lot of support groups out there too. Try and get some good help, a good team really. Like right now I’m really thankful I’ve got Sahdev media and things are progressing for me, it about teamwork as well.
In 2011 you were nominated for a Brit Asia music award, which was a huge achievement. How did that feel?
I didn’t expect it to be honest and when it happened I was totally amazed. It was a lot to do with Jaaneman which did really well last year. I was just really grateful that I was recognised for that nomination.
You sing in both hindi and Punjabi, which do you like better and which do you find easier?
Well Hindi is my first love, ideally I would like to crossover to Bollywood eventually, that why I think I’m going to stick with a lot more Hindi on the album but it’s a mixture still. I like to show versatility
Pyarhai, is a sweet music video. There’s certain softness in your voice which translates into your videos. Are in involved in process of making the video?
I’m pretty much full on; some of the videos were completely restyled because I came from like a rock chick transition to a girly feminine look. I’m very creative on that part; I like to have a lot of involvement. I’m already planning the next video.
As you said you had a transformation of style, you went from an edgy rock chick look to a much brighter look how did this come about?
I think it’s important to experiment with your look all the time, with fashion trends and everything changing so often. It was just time to ditch the edgy look and try something more feminine, deep down inside I am a really girly girl it’s nice to show that as well in some of the videos.
Are you interested in fashion?
I am and I’m not, I’m very girly so I’m interested into my day-to-day fashion. However I’m not really bothered with brands, it’s nice to have a few designer things but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get something. Maybe I might go into fashion in the future who knows.
Do you have a fashion inspiration?
As I said I’m not really into brands, for events I get my sister who does my dresses, she’s a fashion designer.
You have a new song coming out with Kami K called Chandniraat coming out, tell us a bit about that?
Basically what I was going to do was launch this single purely for Eid, it was supposed to be a special edition hence the title Chandniraat. I’m really influenced by the older generation so this will be an amazing cover to do, it’s sung by the great Noor Jahan which is also a challenge in itself. I’ve tried to play around with my sound but now what I’m doing is really show off my vocals, I want to be known as a singer and take it back to who I really am which is mellow, sweet and soft vocals. It’s coming together but it’s still in progress right now.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would you collaborate with?
Music wise A.R.Rahman which obviously speaks for itself, he is an absolute genius. Vocally I would like to work with the obvious Jay Sean, it would be nice to have some RnB influence on my tracks, which with my softer vocals could do really well. With the Punjabi scene someone like NavinKundra would suit me.
From Asian World Newspaper, we wish her the very best for the future.
