A substantial body of work behind him, The Voice India coach, Shaan is confident of his career ahead and in his ability to pick the right voices
Shaan has seen it all in a long career in singing — for films and otherwise. He was a hit as a pop singer and is equally relevant as he crosses new horizons music-wise. He has a short tete-a-tete with us as he shares what he’s looking for as a coach on The Voice India, which airs Saturdays and Sundays at 9 pm on &TV. He also talks about his equation with the other coaches, especially Mika and his singing career. Excerpts...
What kind of voice would make you turn your chair?
A voice that sounds melodious and natural, that isn’t limited in its range or isn’t one-dimensional.
What can selected contestants expect when they choose to be on your team?
He/she can expect my complete involvement and inputs towards improving singing and performance. Very honestly, I feel that one needs to have that student alive within, because you yourself learn so much in the process.
What’s your equation with the other judges?
We’ve all been colleagues and friends for many, many years now. I have a very warm and positive equation with all of them.
You couldn’t see eye to eye with Mika, as was seen in the past. What is the equation now?
Mika is what Mika is... I have learnt to accept his sometimes ‘over the top’ ways and have found a very loving and caring brother in him. He has also mellowed a lot over the years.
The last time we spoke, you told me that playback singing is dead. What is the point of doing a show that’s looking for the next big voice?
A singer cannot be labelled, whether playback or pop. You have to sing from the heart to win hearts. Playback may be buried but a ‘voice’ can never die as long as there is an audience, which there will always be.
What do you think has worked to keep you relevant in all this time?
As long as I can reinvent and stay relevant, I will evolve. My work in the past has been substantial. I don’t need a hit every month to prove my singing or sustain my career. Having said that many interesting projects are in the pipeline. 2016 will see me in a new avatar (as a composer).
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