Do you still have your very first resume/demo CD with you? →

The other day I was de cluttering my hard drive when I came across my very first resume, the one I had prepared during my under grad days for the job placements. I had a hearty laugh when I read the contents. Clearly, then I had no idea as to what to include and what not to include in it. 

This reminded me about my very first music demo CD. I had once compiled a list of songs that might come handy when I network with other musicians for potential collaboration opportunities. Now, I just carry my business card that has my website on it. Yet, another reason why you should have a blog or a website. You never know when it might come handy.

Those days it was a big deal to get yourself recorded in a music studio. Just like any other aspiring musician, with a heart full of dreams I entered into my very first studio recording. Anil of Madcat music studio in Bangalore was my first sound engineer. I told him that I am preparing my demo CD to make it big in the music industry some day and he was happy to help me out. I had butterflies in my stomach when I recorded my first song. It was the first time I sang with a huge headphones in my ears in a small console and I was ecstatic. Now, I have a small studio in my home but, that euphoria is not there anymore. Thanks to commoditization.

Anyway, here's the first entry in my official demo CD, which was liked by many people. It's a cover version of the popular Malayalam number, Yamuna Veruthe from the movie, Ore Kadal composed by Ouseppachan in Shubha Panthuvaraali raagam.

Do you still have your first resume/coverletter/demo CD with you? How much have you changed since then? 

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Why are musical metaphors beautiful? →

They say you cannot compare apples with oranges. But, metaphors identify the similarities, instead of differences, between two unlike things. Beautiful isn't? Metaphors make complex concepts sound easier so that we can relate.

In music, metaphors help listeners identify with the lyricists' emotions. They help us imagine and visualize abstract concepts as a concrete image.

Here's a Kannada original song sung by Sunil Koshy of From Mug to Mike and I. The picture in this post is what came to my mind when I listened to the song below:

Did you listen to the song? What is the image that came to your mind? Is it something similar to the one above? Do share your thoughts. 

[UPDATE]

Even though they aren't true, metaphors are decision points to differentiate between amateurs and professionals.

“A metaphor takes what we know and uses it as a lever to understand something else. And the only way we can do that is by starting with the true thing and then twisting it into a new thing, a thing we’ll be able to also understand.
The difference between the successful professional and the struggling amateur can often be seen in their respective facility with metaphor. The amateur struggles to accept that metaphor is even acceptable (“are atoms actually building blocks?”) or can’t find the powerful analogy needed to bring home the concept. Because all metaphors aren’t actually true, it takes confidence to use them well.

If you’re having trouble understanding a disconnect, or are seeking to explain why something works or doesn’t, begin with a metaphor. “Why is this new thing a lot like that understood thing...”

Metaphors aren’t true, but they work.”

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Can music help improve sales in businesses? →

During our days in Bangalore, my husband and I used to go to this pub called Purple Haze quite often. We were regulars at Purple Haze not because of the excellent service or the reasonable prices in the drinks and food menu but, because of the music they played during the happy hour. In fact, music was the ONLY reason why we used to go there. Be it meeting up with people or be it taking our non-Bangalore resident friends, Purple Haze was the place. Clearly, Purple Haze's USP was their music. I was never mindful of this fact but, now, after graduating from a B-school, I've started paying attention to such small but, critical things. 

This shows that music could be used to attract people and drive sales in businesses. In case of MNCs, corporate anthems convey an organization’s mission and values in a subtle yet strong manner and they help increase sales. They also help improve the branding of organizations.

Here is a corporate anthem I sang for the organization called Core Objects, which got acquired later, by another firm (did you notice the irony here?). The song was written and composed by Vineeth Raj Menon who did the music programming for Lucia, a popular crowd-funded Kannada movie.

Have you noticed how music has been used to drive sales in businesses? Share your examples and thoughts in the comments below.

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It's the day of mothers →

Who is a mother? I'm sure the internet/dictionary shows up several brilliant definitions for the term 'mother'. 

Now, let me rephrase the question a little bit, who can be a mother and that too, a good one? The answer is ANYONE. No matter what your age is, what your gender is, what your occupation is or which part of the world you are in, you can be a good mother. There's a good mother inside every single person. 

Many a times, I've had friends who displayed selfless compassion and care when I really needed some. Many a times, I've had strangers who stood by me to ensure I was safe and sound. Many a times, my husband was able to (he still does) sense my thoughts and has done some amazing things to make me feel good. In all those instances, I was being mothered. I've also, seen dogs comforting and caring for people in need, just like some amazing mothers.

Clearly, motherhood is something that is beyond the terminology and its something innate and primal. It constitutes certain transferable qualities that can help make this world a much better place to live in. On this mothers' day, I'm dedicating one of my Kannada original singles to all the mothers out there. The song is composed in raagas, Jog and Abheri.

So, have you had any instance(s) of being mothered? Share your thoughts. 

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Why do we like recycled and reused songs? →

Many of us recycle and reuse things on a daily basis to save the planet. Similarly, songs could be recycled and reused zillion times in both good and bad ways. Yes, I am talking about cover versions here. 

Centuries have passed but, Carnatic musicians keep recycling the compositions of trinities and have even made a career out of it by applying manodharma and other different techniques. Popular music channels such as Rosebowl and Kappa TV have revolutionized this cover trend in addition to promoting bands making original music. As a musician, sometimes I enjoy singing covers of some of my favorite songs and guess what, there is a set of audience who has found some of my cover songs interesting as well. 

This ever-growing popularity of cover versions leads to an obvious question - why is there such a huge audience for a recycled song? 

Familiarity induces a feeling of comfort and this leads to a general human tendency for resistance to change. This could be a reason why cover versions of songs appeal to more number of people than original numbers.

Have you thought about this? What do you think are some of the reasons for this?

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