QUIRKS & QUERIES
SANJEETA BHATTACHARYA
When and how did you decide to become a musician?
I’ve been into music since as long as I can remember because my
parents put me into classical music and dance lessons but I think
the decision to pursue it as a career came only after graduating
school when I read the acceptance letter for Berklee College
Music. I was about to choose this path over dance, photography
and studying history and I did!
Tell us about your musical learning through your journey
Cliche as it may sound, I believe it is an endless journey; musical
learning comes through interactions with your friends, things
you do to keep yourself occupied through the day and the reason
why you choose to make music, which is a question I haven’t
quite found the right answer for yet. Ofcourse I gave my hours of
practice, getting the technicalities right , learning different styles
etc but now my focus is on movement, breath, enunciation and
intention, both while writing and delivering.
Who have you been inspired by?
My teachers, Siddharth Das and Annette Philip, my friends- Kelly
and Bhaanu and my brothers, who’s music libraries I used to dig
into when I was little.
Which has been your best gig so far and why?
Allow me to list a few because it’s very hard to choose. Magnetic
Fields 2016 when the entire dungeon grooved with us, High
Spirits, Pune when the venue lived up to its name 100%, The
piano man jazz club, when we added breaks in a song just to yell
“did you lie, b*tch?” and the AR Rahman tribute in college when I
danced my butt off hahaha.
What according to you is your style of singing?
My style of singing is still evolving. It has inflections of Indian
classical as well as the airy texture of RnB. At the moment
I am trying to achieve an intimate style which is closer to my
speaking voice.
How do you prepare yourself before a gig?
I like to tell myself to "be honest and mean it, don't take yourself
too seriously and have a good time". Apart from this, ofcourse,
rehearse and work on having a good chemistry with whom I
am playing.
Could you tell us three vocal health tips you follow
Avoid over the counter meds as much as possible. For sore
throat, drink a concoction of Honey, Tulsi, Turmeric, Pepper and
hot water.
Know that singing high notes/ doing runs is not equal to
singing well. Practice technique before belting so it doesn't sound
like yelling.
Get as much rest as possible, don't take sleep for granted and keep
yourself hydrated.
Rapid Fire : Best stage you've performed at : Boston Symphony Hall | If not music,
what would you have been doing? Travel Photography or Kathak | An artist you
would love to collaborate with : Juan Luis Guerra / Magda Giannikou
20
The
Score Magazine
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