communicating via emails , and even shooting the video remotely - me in Goa , the other two in LA . What made it special wasn ' t just the music , but the entire process . Collaborations aren ' t as simple as people think . They require immense patience , multiple conversations , and sometimes songs are ready , but artists might feel the timing isn ' t right for their current musical narrative . This collaboration taught me so much about cross-cultural musicmaking , about patience , and about finding harmony across different musical languages .
I also collaborated with Ed Sheeran on a remix , which was amazing . He ' s incredibly down to earth . He ' s probably the sweetest superstar in the music industry . We worked on a remix of " Two Step " remotely . But the most magical moment was when he was in Mumbai and we actually spent time together . We talked about music , he shared some unreleased tracks , and I felt like I gained a brother . He ' s returning for another multi-city tour in 2025 , which is exciting . Those moments made the collaboration far more than just a musical project - it became a genuine connection .
What ' s catching your ear in music right now ?
Oh , I ' m really loving some of Karan Aujila ' s recent work . Tracks like ' Tauba Tauba ' and ' Softly ' have these incredibly sticky hooks . That ' s what we ' re always chasing as musicians - those moments that just grab listeners instantly .
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice when you were just starting out , what would it be ?
Don ' t change a thing . Everything I ' ve done has led me exactly where I am . You know , it ' s funny - sometimes I think about those potential alternate paths , but I ' m completely at peace with my journey . It reminds me of that Adam Sandler movie " Click ", where he ' s fast-forwarding through life . But the truth is , the process is so much more important than the destination .
Let ' s talk gear . What are the five tools you absolutely can ' t live without ?
My phone , definitely . An acoustic guitar , my tailor guitar , my laptop , and these Audio Technica headphones . Oh , and I always carry a portable mic and soundcard - you never know when inspiration might hit , especially when I ' m traveling .
Let ' s talk about your technical setup . What equipment do you use for recording ?
When I ' m traveling , I rely on my Noyman TLM102 microphone . I pair that with an Apogee Duet sound card and my Macbook Pro running Logic as my primary Digital Audio Workstation ( DAW ). It ' s a compact but powerful setup that lets me record high-quality tracks on the go .
For home recordings , I switch to a Manley Referenced microphone - the Anniversary edition . Interestingly , I heard that Shreya Mam ( Shreya Ghoshal ) uses the same mic , which is a pretty cool connection .
And what about live performances ?
My live performance mic setup is actually quite flexible . It really depends on the venue ' s technical capabilities and the sound requirements . Sometimes I ' ll use a SennHeiser , other times a Shure microphone . But the consistent element is the DPA microphone head , which gives me great sound quality across different setups .
Vocalists often struggle with maintaining their voice . What ' s your secret ?
Lots of warm water with honey and lemon , honestly . Hydration is key . I ' m religious about drinking water throughout the day , and sleep is crucial . When things get really tough , I ' ve got some lozenges and my doctor has a few tricks to help open up my voice temporarily .
Social media seems massive for artists these days . How do you approach it ?
I ' ve been on these platforms since the early days - Facebook in 2007 , one of the early Twitter adopters . For me , it ' s about building and maintaining a relationship with fans . I do this thing called " Fridays with Armaan M " where I connect through voice notes and live sessions . It ' s about giving fans a genuine glimpse into my world .
If you could change one thing about the music industry , what would it be ?
Organization and fair compensation . We ' ve got so many talented composers and songwriters who aren ' t seeing real money from their hits . In the West , musicians have systematic income streams - royalties , pension-like structures . We need something similar here that truly supports creators .
Let ' s talk fashion . What ' s your personal style evolution been like ?
[ Laughs ] Honestly , I was never really someone who kept up with fashion trends . My fiancée Ashna runs a luxury fashion blog , and while she ' s too busy to style me directly , her aesthetic has tremendously influenced my choices .
In the beginning , I was super basic - just grab a jacket that looks good , maybe stick to red or black . But over the years , I ' ve developed a much more intentional approach to style . Now , I choose clothes because I genuinely like them , not just because they look good .
! I ' ve become surprisingly obsessed with jewelry - chains , rings . I never expected that . And shoes ! I used to think , " It ' s just footwear ," but now I ' m completely fascinated by them .
My style has been heavily inspired by Western music videos , watching how pop stars dress and express themselves . It ' s been a journey of finding my own identity through fashion . I ' m experimenting more , and I think that ' s really showing in my personal style now .
Speaking of personal journeys , what can fans expect from you in the coming months ?
2024 was full of delays , so 2025 is going to be massive for me . I ' m releasing a bunch of independent tracks over the next four to five months . But it ' s not just about the music - I ' m really focusing on creating incredible live experiences .
For me , performing isn ' t just about standing and singing . It ' s about connecting with the audience , giving them a memorable night . I want people to leave my shows thinking , " Wow , that was incredible !" Every performance is an opportunity to be a true entertainer .
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