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Canadian singer & hottie Raghav here to perform at the Lycra ® MTV Style Awards is dressed casually in frayed jeans and carefully mussed hair. In this interview he spills the beans on his album STORYTELLER, his style icon and the fact that he doesn't have a girlfriend in India...
Is this your first visit to Mumbai?
Raghav: Yes it is. I love this city although it is a little too hot for comfort. But I think I might want to settle here.
Tell us about your album STORYTELLER.
Raghav: For this album, I had about 85 songs. Scaling them down to 16 was very difficult. It is my first album and I wanted to tell people about where I'm from, what I'm doing. It's very difficult to do that.
When did you start writing your own songs?
Raghav: I wrote my first song when I was 15. Through other people's belief in me and my songwriting skills, I began believing in myself.
What about the song "Can't Get Enough". Does it have a story behind it?
Raghav: "Can't Get Enough" is set in my high school years, and is directed at this girl I liked. I met her at the library and she gave me her number, which I called. I left a message but she didn't call back till 2 weeks later because she had some problems with her phone or something. During that two week period I wanted to let her know I couldn't get enough of her, and this track is basically about my feelings during that time.
What music have you grown up listening to? Has it influenced the music you make?
Raghav: I grew up on Indian music. I went through a huge Amitabh Bachchan phase as a kid. I was an NRI in Calgary, and it is definitely NOT an Indian place. But I grew up listening to Hindi music because of my parents. Among the international artists, I grew up listening to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men… My sister (who is 9 years older than I am) listened to this music, so I was exposed to it and it has influenced my music.
What's your next single?
Raghav: My next single is "Angel Eyes", which is one of my favourites. It has a pop-Indian feel to it, while "No No" is the most dramatic track on the album. "No No" is about the concept "I understand you are cheating on me, but don't tell me you are."
If you had a chance to sing a duet who would you like to sing it with?
Raghav: From India I'd like to sing with Sukhwinder Singh. Among the International artistes, I'd love to do a duet with Beyonce or Sting.
What music are you listening to right now?
Raghav: I'm listening to A.R.Rehman right now. His music is different. It defines who he is. I also listen to Rock, Country, and Hip Hop. I loved the TERE NAAM soundtrack.
What songs will you be performing at the Lycra® MTV Style Awards?
Raghav: I'm singing one song at the Lycra® MTV Style Awards - "Can't Get Enough". I'd like to perform more of my stuff, but maybe I'll do it next time.
What are your favourite Hindi movies?
Raghav: Shakti and Lagaan
Who is your favourite actor?
Raghav: Nasseerudin Shah.
Who is your style icon?
Raghav: Lenny Kravitz
Do you have a girlfriend?
Raghav: No. I don't actually. Not in India ;)
What are your interests?
Raghav: I am passionate about ice hockey and am a big fan of THE FLAMES (Canadian Ice hockey team). I used to play the game as a kid, but stopped coz I was afraid the puck would hit my neck and I'd not be able to sing. I even wore a huge neck guard!
Do you plan on singing for Bollywood movies, or better still acting in them?
Raghav: If the opportunity arose, yes, I'd do playback singing if I get to compose the songs. And as far as acting goes, if Bollywood calls, I guess I'll answer. But only if the role is something really out of the ordinary.
Official website: www.raghav.com
Interview by: Hyacinths Pennefather
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